Effect of substituting maize grain with cobs treated with a combination of urea and wood ash on sheep performance and rumen parameters

Effect of treating maize cobs with a combination of urea and wood ash (WA) on chemical composition, in vitro gas production, and in sacco degradability were examined in a previous study. The treatments were: (100U) =100% urea +0% wood ash, (75U25WA) = 75% urea +25% wood ash, (50U50WA) = 50% urea +50% wood ash, (25U75WA) =25 % urea + 75% wood ash and (0U0WA) = Untreated maize cobs. It was concluded in the study that, treatment 25U75WA gave better results in terms of all the parameters measured. This study aimed at determining the effect of feeding Twana sheep diets whose grain was substituted with maize cobs treated with 25%U and 75%WA on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen utilization, rumen NH3, pH and performance. Tswana sheep were fed experimental diet whose maize grain was substituted with graded levels of 25U75WA in the dietary ingredients and the treatments were: 100M = 100% maize grain, 66M34C = 66% maize grain plus 34% treated maize cobs, 34M66C = 34% maize grain plus 66% treated maize cobs and 100C = 100% treated maize cobs in a 4×4 Latin Square Design (4 animals were rotated in 4 periods for all the treatments). Treatment 34M66C had crude protein intake (CPI), dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI) and neutral detergent fibre intake (NDFI) of 0.1334, 0.9500, 0.8921 and 0.4800 kg/d respectively (P<0.05) while the crude protein digestibility (CPD), dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and neutral detergentfibre digestibility (NDFD) were 79.57, 68.02, 66.26, and 57.8% respectively (P<0.05). All the treatments had similar (P>0.05) rumen NH3 ranging from 23.55 – 24.00 mg/ml while rumen pH were different (P<0.05) and ranged from 6.117 – 6.937 however treatment 100M had lower pH. Treatment 100M and 34M66C had average daily gain (ADG) of 0.1150 and 0.1417 kg/d, respectively (P<0.05), however, treatment 100M had lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 5.217 compared to 7.059 (P<0.05) for 34M66C. It was concluded that farmers should include 34M66C in the diet of Tswana sheep for optimum performance and also reduce the cost of feed. Effet du traitement des épis de maïs avec une combinaison d'urée et de cendres de bois (CB) sur la composition chimique, la production de gaz in vitro et dans la dégradabilité de SACCO ont été examinées dans une étude précédente. Les traitements étaient: (100u) = 100% urée + 0% de cendre de bois, (75U25CB) = 75% d'urée + 25% de cendres de bois, (50u50wa) = 50% d'urée + 50% de cendre de bois, (25U75CB) = 25% d'urée + 75% de cendres bois et (0U0CB) = épis de maïs non traité. Il a été conclu dans l'étude que, le traitement 25U75CB a donné de meilleurs résultats en termes de tous les paramètres mesurés. Cette étude visait à déterminer l'effet de l'alimentation des régimes de moutons Twana dont le grain a été substitué aux épis de maïs traité avec 25% U et 75% de CB sur l'apport nutritionnel, la digestibilité, l'utilisation de l'azote, le rumen NH3, la performance de la pharmacie. Les moutons de Tswana ont été nourris à une alimentation expérimentale dont le grain de maïs était substitué par des niveaux de grade de 25U75WA dans les ingrédients alimentaires et les traitements étaient les suivants: 100m = 100% de grain de maïs, 66 m34c = 66% de grain de maïs de maïs plus 34% d'épis de maïs traité, 34m66c = 34% de maïs Grain Plus 66% COBS de maïs traité et 100c = 100% cobs de maïs traités dans un design carré latin 4 × 4 (4 animaux ont été tournés en 4 périodes pour tous les traitements). Traitement 34M66C avait une consommation de protéines brutes (CPB), une consommation de matière sèche (CMS), une consommation de matière organique (CMO) et une consommation de fibres de détergents neutres de 0,1334, 0,9500, 0,8921 et 0,4800 kg / j respectivement (p <0,05) tandis que le Digestibilité des protéines brutes (DPB), digestibilité de la matière sèche (DMS), digestibilité de la matière organique (DMO) et digestibilité de fibres de détergent neutres (DFDN) étaient de 79,57, 68,02, 66,26 et 57,8% respectivement (p <0,05). Tous les traitements avaient des analgésiques similaires (p> 0,05) Rumen NH3 allant de 23,55 à 24,00 mg / ml tandis que le pH de rumen était différent (p <0,05) et allait de 6,117 - 6,937Cependant, le traitement 100M avait un pH inférieur. Traitement 100m et 34m66C avaient un gain quotidien moyen (GQM) de 0,1150 et 0,1417 kg / j, respectivement (p <0,05), cependant, le traitement 100M avait un rapport de conversion d'alimentation inférieur (CAI) de 5,217 par rapport à 7,059 (p <0,05) pour 34 m66c. Il a été conclu que les agriculteurs comprennent 34 m66c dans le régime alimentaire des moutons de Tswana pour des performances optimales et réduisent également le coût des aliments pour animaux.

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Effect of Substituting Maize Grain with Urea/Wood Ash-Treated Maize Cobs on Chemical Composition, in Sacco Degradability and in Vitro Gas Production Parameters

Journal of Animal Science Advances ◽

10.5455/jasa.20160125115532 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 1572

Author(s):

Abdulazeez A ◽

Tsopito M ◽

Madibela M

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Wood Ash ◽

Gas Production ◽

Production Parameters ◽

In Vitro Gas Production ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Maize Cobs ◽

In Sacco Degradability ◽

In Sacco

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Evaluation of the Nutrient Composition, In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics, and In Situ Degradability of Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus in Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 18

Author(s):

Kim Margarette C. Nogoy ◽

Jia Yu ◽

Young Gyu Song ◽

Shida Li ◽

Jong-Wook Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Gas Production ◽

Nutrient Composition ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Amaranthus Cruentus ◽

Amaranthus Caudatus ◽

Amaranthus Hypochondriacus

The amaranth plants showed high potential feed value as forage for ruminants. An in-depth study of this plant, particularly in cattle, will help extend its utilization as an alternative protein and fiber feed source in cattle feeding. In this study, the nutrient compositions of three different species of amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus L., Amaranthus cruentus L., and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.—two varieties for each species, A.ca 74, A.ca 91, A.cu 62, A.cu 66, A. hy 30, and A. hy 48—were evaluated. The in vitro technique was used to evaluate the fermentation characteristics such as total gas production, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, pH, and ammonia concentration of the rumen fluid. Moreover, the effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM) and crude protein (EDCP) of the amaranth forages were determined through in situ bag technique. The amaranth forages: A. caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus showed better nutritive value than the locally produced forages in Chungcheong province of Korea. The CP of the amaranth ranged from 11.95% to 14.19%, and the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents ranged from 45.53% to 70.88% and 34.17% to 49.83%, respectively. Among the amaranth varieties, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the most excellent ruminant feed nutrient quality (CP, 14.19%; NDF, 45.53%; and ADF, 34.17%). The effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM; 33–56%) and crude protein EDCP (27–59%) of the amaranth were lower compared to other studies, which could be due to the maturity stage at which the forages were harvested. Nonetheless, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the highest EDDM (56.73%) and EDCP (59.09%). The different amaranth species did not differ greatly in terms of total VFA concentration or molar proportions, total gas production, or ammonia-N concentration. The high nutrient composition, and highly effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein, coupled with the favorable fermentation characteristics, suggest that the amaranth forages showed good to excellent feed quality for cattle.

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Intake and digestibility of crossbred goats finished on caatinga grassland receiving feed supplementation during dry season

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-99402016000300014 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 484-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Cézar da SILVA ◽

Adriana GUIM ◽

Gladston Rafael de Arruda SANTOS ◽

Evaristo Jorge de Oliveira SOUZA ◽

Stela Antas URBANO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Substitution Effect ◽

Ether Extract ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Feed Supplementation ◽

Total Carbohydrates

SUMMARY It was evaluated the effect of feed supplementation at 0.4; 0.8 and 1.2% of body weight (BW) on intake and digestibility of crossbred goats finished on caatinga, in relation to crossbred goats not supplemented (0.0% of BW). Thirty-two crossbred, Anglo-Nubian goats were used, eight months old and with body weight of 18 ± 2.5 kg, organised into randomised blocks, which were kept on 37 hectares of caatinga from 7 h to 16 h. Intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral and acid detergent fibre, total carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients was influenced (P<0.05) by the levels of feed supplementation, with linear increases of 202.31; 179.42; 25.05; 11.83; 35.79; 12.27; 142.63 and 166.79 g animal-1 day-1 respectively. There was a substitution effect (P<0.05) on dry matter intake when using feed supplementation at 0.7% BW. Feed supplementation resulted in positive linear effect (P<0.05) for digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, total digestible-nutrient content and digestible energy, with an increase of 17.15; 16.64; 19.07; 44.74; 15.15 and 17.56% for dry matter, and 0.69 Mcal kg-1 of dry matter respectively. Final body weight, total gain and average daily gain, showed a linear increase (P<.005) of 2.60, 3.09 and 0.036 kg per percentage point of each additional level of supplement. Feed supplementation increases the intake and digestibility of total dry matter and nutrients, a fact that makes greater performance possible, and recommends use up to a level of 0.7% BW to avoid any substitution effect.

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The influence of the method of preservation of forages on the digestion in dairy cows. 1. Composition of the forages and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen.

Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.18174/njas.v23i1.17196 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 3-9

Author(s):

S. Tamminga ◽

C.J. van der Koelen

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Formic Acid ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Mixed Diet ◽

Apparent Digestibility

1. Grass from the same sward was ensiled without additive, with 14.6 g formic acid/100 g crude protein or 10.8 g formic acid and 10.6 g formaldehyde/100 g crude protein. Similar grass was dried and pelleted. Drying or ensiling with the mixture reduced solubility of N in the preserved grass but formic acid increased it, and ensiling without additive increased it even more. Apparent digestibility of N in the rumen of cows tended to decrease with decrease in solubility. Digestibility in vitro of the mixed diet given to the cows, calculated from digestibility of the separate components, agreed well with the values in vivo for diets with silages, but was high for that with dried grass. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Nutritional Quality and In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristics of Silage Prepared with Lucerne, Sweet Maize Stalk, and Their Mixtures

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11121205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 1205

Author(s):

Musen Wang ◽

Fujin Zhang ◽

Xinxin Zhang ◽

Ying Yun ◽

Lei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Gas Production ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Fresh Matter ◽

In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the pH, chemical composition, minerals, vitamins, and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of silage prepared with lucerne, sweet maize stalk (MS), and their mixtures. Freshly chopped lucerne and MS were combined in ratios of 100:0 (M0, control), 80:20 (M20), 60:40 (M40), 40:60 (M60), 20:80 (M80), and 0:100 (M100) on a fresh matter basis. Each treatment was prepared in triplicate, and a total of eighteen silos were fermented for 65 days. After 65 days of fermentation, the pH values in M0, M20, M40, M60, M80, and M100 silages were 5.47, 4.84, 4.23, 4.13, 3.79, and 3.61, respectively. As the MS proportion in the mixtures increased, silage K, Ca, P, Na, Fe, and Cu concentrations linearly decreased (p < 0.001) and so did vitamins B5 and K1 and α-tocopherol. In vitro rumen dry matter and organic matter degradability, pH, ammonia, total volatile fatty acid, and gas production linearly decreased (p < 0.01), while neutral detergent fiber concentration linearly increased (p < 0.001), with increasing proportion of MS. The in vitro dry matter and organic matter degradability rapidly decreased when the MS percentage was ≥60%. In conclusion, the M40 silage is the most suitable for livestock utilization in local forage production considering the balance of silage pH, nutritional quality, and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics.

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Pengaruh Suplementasi Ampas Tahu, Ampas Tempe dan Ampas Kecap dalam Ransum Terhadap Performan Domba Lokal Jantan

Sains Peternakan ◽

10.20961/sainspet.5.1.1-9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Eka Handayanta

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Conversion Ratio ◽

Feed Conversion Ratio ◽

Soy Sauce ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Daily Gain

The aim of this research to determine the effect of supplementation of tofu. tempe, and soy sauce waste in ration on male local sheep performance. This research was carried out during three month, take place on July until October 200E in Minifarm Dept. of Animal Science, Agriculture Faculty of Sebelas Maret University, located in Jatikuwung. Gondangrejo, Karanganyar. It used 12 male local sheeps with average body weight of 15.86 ±0.93 kg, divided into four treatments and three replications, each replication consist of one sheep. The ration consisted of king grass only as basal diet, as many as four percent base on body weight. The treatment given is in the form of feed supplement, that namely without supplement (RO), 250 gram tofu waste (R1), 250 gram tempe waste (R2), and 250 gram soy sauce waste (R3). The data variables collected were feed consumption, dry and organic matter digestibility, crude protein consumption, energy consumption, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio. All of data except average daily gain was analyzed by completely randomized design one way classification. While average daily gain was analyzed by covariance analyze. The result were significant followed by Duncan new multiple range test. The result showed that average of R0, RI, R2 and R3 for feed consumption 430.52; 720.44; 704.44; 549.08 gram/day, dry matter digestibility (%) 61,07; 72,46; 69,68: 63,60, organic matter digestibility (%) 64,41: 74,94; 72.41; 64,7 1, crude protein consumption 47.66; 106.77; 85.83; 73.70 gram/day, energy consumption 281.82; 482.65; 432.67; 330.83 gram/day, average daily gain 50.00.1X00: 116.19; 38.10 gram/day and feed conversion ratio 8.74; 5.61; 6.06; 15.2. The result of variance analyze showed that feed supplementation have highly significant effect (P<0.01) on all of the data variable colected. Conclusion of this research was supplementation of tofu waste and tempe waste could improved performance, while soy sauce waste could not improved the performance of male local sheep. Key words : sheep, tofu waste, tempe waste, soy sauce waste, performance

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The effects of zeranol and oestradiol implants on performance and nutrient digestibility of zero-grazed White Fulani cattle

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an19050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (8) ◽

pp. 1081

Author(s):

O. T. Soyelu ◽

A. O. Aderibigbe

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Mean Values ◽

Significant Difference ◽

White Fulani

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two growth-promoting implants (zeranol and oestradiol-17β) on performance and feed digestibility of finishing White Fulani cattle in the feedlot. This was with a view to determining an alternative means of enhancing cattle performance without grazing the animals. Methods A 60-day feedlot trial was conducted using 27 stocker White Fulani bulls that were allotted randomly to three treatment groups (i.e. non-implanted, oestradiol-implanted and zeranol-implanted) in a completely randomised experimental design. Cattle were offered a compounded feedlot ration consisting of 14% crude protein ad libitum. The bulls were weighed initially and fortnightly thereafter for the duration of the study. Coefficients of dry matter and nutrients digestibility were determined using lignin as an internal marker. Data were analysed using the general linear model procedure of ANOVA and mean values were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference (l.s.d.0.05). Key results The average final liveweight, total weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of implanted feedlot cattle were higher (P < 0.05) than for non-implanted cattle; and higher in oestradiol-implanted cattle compared with zeranol-implanted ones. The ADG was 29.16 and 20.48% higher, and the ADFI was 35.06 and 18.18% higher for oestradiol-implanted and zeranol-implanted feedlot cattle, respectively than for non-implanted cattle. Irrespective of the treatment, feed conversion ratio of experimental bulls remained below the range (4.5–7.5) established for feedlot beef cattle; an indication of better efficiency of feed utilisation by White Fulani cattle. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (59.76–64.31%) of the feedlot ration was in the order: non-implanted = oestradiol-implanted > zeranol-implanted while the apparent digestibility of crude protein (73.91–77.99%) was in the order: non-implanted > oestradiol-implanted = zeranol-implanted. Conclusions and implications The results of this study show that the use of an oestradiol implant in finishing zero-grazed White Fulani cattle was beneficial for improving growth performance. Both implanted and non-implanted cattle showed good coefficients of nutrient digestibility, indicating that the mode of action of the growth implants in enhancing performance characteristics does not depend on indices of digestibility.

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Sunflower cake in diets for beef cattle: digestibility, kinetics and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters

Acta Scientiarum Animal Sciences ◽

10.4025/actascianimsci.v41i1.39492 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 39492 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rafael Henrique de Tonissi e Buschinelli de Goes ◽

Luiz Henrique Xavier da Silva ◽

Tatiana García Díaz ◽

Antonio Ferriani Branco ◽

Ana Lúcia Teodoro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Fermentation Products ◽

Sunflower Cake

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of sunflower cake replacing soybean meal in beef cattle diets on the in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDDM), organic matter (IVDOM), crude protein (IVDCP) and the ruminal fermentation kinetics and parameters. The experiment was analyzed according to a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of four levels of sunflower cake, 0, 200, 400, 600 g kg-1, replacing soybean meal in the concentrate of beef cattle diets. The coefficients of IVDDM, IVDOM and IVDCP presented a quadratic effect with the addition of sunflower cake. The soluble fraction (fraction B) degradation rate and total gas production decreased linearly with the inclusion of sunflower cake. Values of pH in ruminal fluid were higher for levels 0, 200 and 600 g kg-1 sunflower cake. Sunflower cake can replace soybean meal by up to 280 g kg-1 in the concentrate of beef cattle diets, improving the in vitro digestibility of dry matter organic, matter and crude protein. Levels above 400 g kg-1 reduce ruminal digestion rate, digestibility and release of final fermentation products.

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PENGARUH PROTEKSI CPO DENGAN FORMALDEHID TERHADAP KECERNAAN DAN PERFORMA DOMBA EKOR TIPIS

Buletin Peternakan ◽

10.21059/buletinpeternak.v39i2.6711 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 78 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nafly Comilo Tiven ◽

Lies Mira Yusiati ◽

Rusman (Rusman) ◽

Umar Santoso

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Randomized Design ◽

And Performance ◽

Feed Conversion Rate ◽

Daily Gain ◽

Range Test ◽

Basal Ration

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of CPO protected with formaldehyde on digestibility and performance of thin tail sheeps. Fifteen local male lambs aged 9-12 months, were divided into 3 groups of ration treatment. The first group received only the basal ration (R0), the second group received the basal ration and 3% CPO (R1), while the third group received the basal ration and 3% CPO protected with 2% formaldehyde (R2). The data were analyzed by Completely Randomized Design with oneway pattern. The different of treatments were tested by Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test. The results showed that addition CPO protected with formaldehid (R2) in the sheeps diet did not affect dry matter and organic matter intake, dry matter and organic matter digestibility, average daily gain (ADG), but significantly (P<0.01) increase feed conversion rate. It can be concluded that CPO protected with formaldehyde gives more advantage on feed conversion aspect.(Key words: Thin tail sheeps, Crude palm oil (CPO) protected with formaldehyde, Digestibility, Performance)

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Digestive parameters during gestation of Holstein heifers

10.1101/2020.04.20.050773 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jéssica Marcela Vieira Pereira ◽

Marcos Inácio Marcondes ◽

Sebastião de Campos Valadares Filho ◽

Joel Caton ◽

Anna Luiza Lacerda Sguizzato ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids

AbstractOur objective was to estimate nutrient intake, ruminal flow, total apparent and ruminal digestibility, rates of passage and digestion, ruminal and omasal pH, blood metabolite concentrations, and body measurements during gestation of Holstein heifers. Eleven pregnant Holstein heifers, 8 of which fitted with a rumen cannula (450 ± 27.6 kg of body weight and 20 ± 3.5 months of initial age) were used. All heifers received the same diet composed of corn silage, soybean meal, corn meal, minerals and vitamins, with a corn silage:concentrate ratio of 50:50 (on a dry matter basis), aiming an average daily gain of approximately 1.0 kg. The sampling periods were established according to the days of gestation: 145, 200, and 255 with a duration of 10 days per period. Total fecal samples were collected to estimate dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Blood samples were collected to analyze metabolites (non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, and glucose). Data were analyzed as a repeated measurements scheme, using MIXED procedure, with differences declared when P < 0.05. Dry matter intake expressed in kg/day increased from d-145 to d-200, and remaining stable until d-255 of gestation. The same results were observed for organic matter and crude protein intake, increasing 15.0 and 35.8% respectively. In contrast, when dry matter intake was evaluated as % body weight, we observed a decrease of 16.7% from d-200 to d-255. Days of gestation did not influence ruminal flow of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber. We observed an increase in the ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber by 20.5%. The apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein changed over days of gestation, with an increase of 11.9, 8.5, and 9.8%, respectively, when comparing d-145 with d-200. The rate of digestion of neutral detergent fiber increased from 2.0 to 3.5% h-1. Glucose levels decreased, while β-hydroxybutirate and non-esterified fatty acids increased from d-145 to d-255. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a reduction in dry matter intake in % body weight due to pregnancy. It also shows an increase in total apparent digestibility through gestation, which imply a greater efficiency of use of nutrients by pregnant animals. Thus, further research is still needed to consolidate such results and to elucidate the mechanism about nutrient usage during the final third of gestation in heifers.

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