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PubMed1993

Nutritional evaluation of silage made from the toxic weed Parthenium hysterophorus in animals.

After ensilation, the toxic Compositae weed Parthenium hysterophorus was devoid of the toxic principle parthenin. Laboratory-scale ensilation indicated that no parthenin was detectable after 5 wk of anaerobic fermentation. For animal feeding studies, silage was made on a large scale from Parthenium mixed with maize or from Parthenium alone. Crossbred bull and buffalo bull calves were fed diets containing the silages, or control diet without silage, for 12 wk. The animals consumed both silages with relish, and body weight gains of silage-fed calves did not differ from those of the controls. The digestibilities of dry matter, fibre and nitrogen-free extract were greater with the control diet, but the biological value of proteins tended to be greater with the silage-containing diets. Haematological studies indicated no significant differences between experimental and control groups in selected parameters, except for a reduction in blood urea nitrogen in the animals fed silage. The possible causes for these biochemical alterations are discussed. Since the nutritive value of Parthenium silage compares favourably with the standard diet, and Parthenium seeds collected from the silage did not germinate, we suggest that ensilation can be used as an additional method in the containment and eradication of these plants, which grow wild in India.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed1989

Intake of direct cut or wilted grass silage as related to chewing behavior, ruminal characteristics and site and extent of digestion by heifers.

Six nonpregnant Friesian heifers (516 kg avg BW) with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used to examine intake of direct cut (DC) or wilted (W) grass silage in relation to chewing behavior, ruminal characteristics and site and extent of digestion. Dry matter content of the silages was 20.3% and 40.3%, and feed intake averaged 1.88% and 2.17% of BW (P less than .01), respectively. Mean ruminal osmolality was 291 mosm/liter for the DC and 318 mosm/liter for the W silage (P less than .05), with extreme values exceeding 350 mosm/liter for the W silage at 1 h to 2 h postfeeding. There was a shift from eating to ruminating on W silage associated with a longer duration of the average rumination bolus cycle (P less than .01). Duration of chewing time per kilogram of DM intake was 103.5 min and 91.7 min (P less than .05) for the DC and W silages, respectively. Fecal mean particle length was 2.2 times greater (P less than .01), accompanied by higher spread coefficients (P less than .001), for the W silage. No differences occurred between silages in ruminal digestibility of OM and NDF. In the total digestive tract, apparent digestibilities of OM and NDF were depressed after wilting grass prior to ensiling (P less than .01), but the proportion of digestible OM apparently digested in the rumen was .74 for both silages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetates↗

PubMed2000

Effects of brown midrib 3 mutation in corn silage on productivity of dairy cows fed two concentrations of dietary neutral detergent fiber: 3. Digestibility and microbial efficiency.

The effects of digestibility of corn silage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and dietary NDF content on ruminal digestion kinetics, site of nutrient digestion, and microbial N production efficiency were evaluated with eight multiparous high producing dairy cows in a duplicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods. Experimental diets contained corn silage from a brown midrib (bm3) hybrid or its isogenic normal control at two concentrations of dietary NDF (29 and 38%). The NDF digestibility estimated by a 30-h in vitro fermentation was higher for bm3 corn silage by 9.4 units (55.9 vs. 46.5%). Neither ruminal nor total tract NDF digestibility was affected by corn silage treatment. The bm3 corn silage diet decreased starch digestibility in the rumen and in the total tract, but increased postruminal starch digestibility compared with control diet. The bm3 corn silage diets increased microbial N flow to the duodenum and tended to decrease ruminal ammonia concentration. Microbial efficiency was greater for cows fed bm3 corn silage in spite of lower ruminal pH. Higher efficiency of microbial nitrogen production might be attributed to faster passage rate of NDF for cows fed bm3 corn silage compared with those fed control corn silage. Higher in vitro NDF digestibility might predict enhanced NDF fragility and ease of NDF hydrolysis in vivo. Enhanced in vitro NDF digestibility does not necessarily result in increased NDF digestibility either in the rumen or in the total tract, but possibly increases rate of passage and DMI, improving efficiency of microbial N production.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2000

Short communication: effect of tannic acid on composition and ruminal degradability of bermudagrass and alfalfa silages.

We measured the effects of the addition of tannic acid on chemical composition and crude protein (CP) ruminal degradability of bermudagrass, cv. coast cross (Cynodon dactylon L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silages with nylon bags incubated in the rumen of two fistulated lactating cows. Silage pH was greater for alfalfa than for bermudagrass. The addition of tannic acid had no effect on silage pH. Ammonia N was greater in alfalfa than in bermudagrass silage. Treated and control silages had similar ammonia N concentrations. The percentage of CP that was solubilized at time 0 was lower for alfalfa than for bermudagrass silage. The addition of tannic acid decreased the portion of CP solubilized at time 0 and increased the potentially degradable fraction of CP. The potentially degradable fraction of CP was greater for alfalfa than for bermudagrass. There was an interaction of species and treatment; the disappearance rate of CP increased with tannic acid treatment of alfalfa but decreased with acid treatment of bermudagrass. The effective degradability of CP was similar for control and treated alfalfa but lower for treated than for control bermudagrass. Tannic acid treatment is effective in decreasing the rapidly soluble fraction of alfalfa and bermudagrass silages, which could be beneficial to the animal because it would decrease the excess of N in the rumen after feeding. Tannic acid treatment decreased CP degradability of bermudagrass silage but had no effect on alfalfa silage, suggesting that tannic acid concentration required to effectively decrease CP degradability differs among forages.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Influence of particle size on the effectiveness of the fiber in barley silage.

We used eight multiparous Holstein cows in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to evaluate the effects and possible interactions between silage particle size and concentrate level on chewing activities and productivity of cows fed barley-based total mixed rations (TMR). Diets were designed with two forage-to-concentrate ratios (low forage, 45:55, high forage 55:45), combined with two theoretical chop lengths of barley silage (short = 4.68 mm and long = 18.75 mm). Diets were formulated to provide similar and above-minimum neutral detergent fiber recommended for cows in early lactation. Increasing silage particle size of the forage did not affect dry matter intake. The 3.5% fat-correct milk and fat yields trended higher for increased particle size. Percent milk protein was higher for short particle size. Increasing the concentrate levels in the diets increased proportions of milk protein and lactose, but not milk fat. Cows fed short silage spent 90 min less per day chewing and ruminating than did those on long silage. Total chewing activity per kilogram of forage intake was higher for cows on long silage compared with those on short silage diets. Although a reduction in silage particle size did not depress milk fat, rumination and chewing activity were significantly reduced. These results suggest that particle size of the silage may have dominant control over chewing activity despite adequate neutral detergent fiber intakes.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2002

Corn silage management II: effects of hybrid, maturity, and mechanical processing on digestion and energy content.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of maturity and mechanical processing of two hybrids of whole plant corn on starch, fiber, and ether extract digestibilities and energy content of the total mixed ration fed to lactating Holstein cows. In the first experiment, Pioneer hybrid 3845 whole plant corn was harvested at hard dough, one-third milkline, and two-thirds milkline with a theoretical length of cut of 6.4 mm. At each stage of maturity, corn was harvested with and without mechanical processing. In the second experiment, Pioneer hybrids 3845 and Quanta were harvested at one-third milkline, two-thirds milkline, and blackline stages of maturity with and without mechanical processing. The theoretical length of cut was 12.7 mm. The measured TDN and NEL concentrations were lower for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 1 and greater for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 2, compared with diets containing unprocessed corn silage. The lower energy content for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 1 can be explained by the lower total tract NDF, ether extract, and CP digestibilities. The greater energy content for diets containing processed corn silage in experiment 2 can be attributed to greater total tract starch and NDF digestibilities for cows fed processed corn silage diets. In experiment 2, diets containing processed corn silage (1.59 Mcal/kg) had approximately 2.6% more energy available per kilogram of DM consumed compared with diets containing unprocessed corn silage (1.55 Mcal/kg). For hybrid Quanta in experiment 2, the TDN and NEL concentrations of diets containing corn silage harvested at two-thirds ML were greater than at other maturities.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2004

Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage in barley grain and alfalfa-based total mixed rations for lactating dairy cows.

The effects of replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage in a fine barley grain and alfalfa-based total mixed ration (TMR) were evaluated. Diets contained (dry matter basis) 53.0% commercial energy supplement, 10.3% commercial protein supplement, and 9.7% corn silage. Diets varied in inclusion of chopped alfalfa hay and alfalfa silage, and contained either 20.0% chopped alfalfa hay and 7.0% alfalfa silage, 10.0% chopped alfalfa hay and 17.0% alfalfa silage, or 27.0% alfalfa silage. Contents of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, and minerals did not differ among diets. Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage decreased dietary dry matter, and increased dietary soluble protein and physical effective NDF calculated as the proportion of dietary NDF retained by the 8- and 19-mm screens of the Penn State Particle Separator (peNDF(NDF)) from 13.3 to 15.6% DM. Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage did not affect dry matter intake, rumen pH, rumen volatile fatty acids, blood lactate, milk fat, and milk protein percentage, but did decrease blood glucose, tended to increase blood urea, and numerically decreased milk yield and milk protein yield. A wider range in peNDF(NDF) and a higher inclusion of corn silage might have resulted in greater differences in rumen fermentation and milk production among diets. The pH of rumen fluid samples collected 4 h after feeding varied from 5.90 to 5.98, and milk fat percentage varied from 2.50 to 2.60% among diets. These values suggest that mild subacute ruminal acidosis was induced by all diets.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1975

Plasma adrenocorticoid response to corticotropin in dairy cattle fed high silage diets.

Responses of plasma corticoids to adrenocorticotropic hormone (.32 U/kg body weight) administered during early lactation were measured in dairy cattle consuming large amounts of concentrate feeds and one of the following forage diets: alfalfa-timothy hay plus corn silage, alfalfa-timothy hay crop silage plus corn silage, or corn silage. Concentrations of plasma corticoids increased to maximum in all groups within 60 to 90 min. Concentrations remained at near maximum for 4 to 5 h and then declined to baseline. Maximum corticoid concentrations following adrenocorticotropic hormone injection differed among forage treatment groups. Responses of corn silage and hay crop silage groups (46.7 +/- 1.1 and 50.1 +/- 2.4 ng/ml) did not differ but were less than those in the hay group (65.5 +/- 2.9 ng/ml). Response measured as area under the curve of plasma corticoid response also differed among forage treatments: hay 443 +/- 17 h (ng/ml) is greater than hay crop silage 334 +/- 34 is greater than corn silage 245 +/- 36. Results are discussed in terms of stress susceptibility in dairy cattle consuming diets containing large amounts of silage.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1990

True absorption of calcium and phosphorus from alfalfa and corn silage when fed to lactating cows.

A crossover experimental design with an extra period was used with four lactating cows (645 kg BW) and two diets to measure the true absorption of Ca and P from alfalfa hay and corn silage. True absorption was calculated after dosing cows intravenously with 45Ca and 32P to measure endogenous fecal losses. In alfalfa hay and alfalfa-corn silage diets, the Ca and P that came from the hay or hay and silage fraction was 94 and 98% and 63 and 84%, respectively. Cows ate more DM (22.7 vs. 20.6 kg/d) and produced more FCM (35.2 vs. 32.0 kg/d) when consuming alfalfa-corn silage compared with alfalfa hay. True absorption of Ca from alfalfa-corn silage was greater (42.2%) than from alfalfa hay (24.6%). Partial true absorption of Ca from alfalfa hay was 23.5% and from corn silage 51.5%. True P absorption for total diet was similar for both alfalfa hay (64.4%) and alfalfa-corn silage (74.6%). Partial true absorption of P from alfalfa hay (67.3%) was different from that from corn silage (80.0%). Fecal endogenous Ca excretion was nearly double the value (31 vs. 16 mg/kg BW) currently used by NRC. True absorption of Ca from alfalfa was lower and from corn silage was higher than currently used in NRC feeding standards. True absorption of P was higher than values currently used by NRC.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1993

Milk yield, intake, and blood traits of lactating cows fed grass silage conserved under different harvesting methods.

Thirty-two Holstein cows (8 primiparous) were assigned to negative control or to one of three treatments to assess three forage harvesting and conservation techniques. Forage was harvested as low moisture silage by either a cylinder-type forage harvester, a self-loading forage harvester, or a round baler. Treatment diets were fed from wk 4 to 15 of lactation and consisted of silages harvested by the respective methods supplemented with concentrate at 1.1% of BW. Unsupplemented silage harvested by a cylinder-type forage harvester was used as a control. Daily DMI was higher for cows fed supplemented heap silage cut with either a cylinder-type forage harvester (23.7 kg) or a self-loading forage harvester (22.6 kg) than for cows fed the control (20.0 kg) or supplemented round bale silage (20.1 kg). Milk yield was highest for cows fed supplemented heap silage cut with a cylinder-type forage harvester (26.6 kg/d) and lower for those fed supplemented heap silage cut with a self-loading forage harvester (22.7 kg/d) or the control (20.8 kg/d). Milk composition and digestibilities of DM, N, ADF, and energy were similar among treatments. Postfeeding NEFA concentration decreased more for control cows than for those fed supplemented silage, which was related to greater BW loss. The high milk yield for cows fed supplemented heap silage cut with a cylinder-type forage harvester could be related to a high DMI and low BW gain.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1995

Effect of corn silage supplementation on intake and milk production in cows grazing grass pasture.

The objective was to determine the effects on milk production and DMI of 2.3 kg/d of corn silage DM fed to lactating cows grazing grass pasture and fed supplemental grain. Thirty Holstein cows, averaging 32 kg of milk at the start of the trial, intensively grazed grass pasture for 8 wk. One-half of the cows received 2.3 kg/d of corn silage DM in two equal feedings, and one-half of the cows were used as controls (no corn silage). All cows were fed grain at 1 kg of grain DM/4 kg of milk. Corn silage had no effect on milk production or milk composition. Cows fed corn silage did not have improved BW gain or body condition score. Each unit of corn silage consumed replaced 1.2 units of pasture, but total DMI was not different because of supplementation with corn silage. Blood urea N concentrations were lower for cows fed corn silage. Supplementation of high producing Holsteins grazing grass pastures with 2.3 kg/d of corn silage DM had no effect on milk production, milk composition, or total DMI.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1999

Effect of applying lactic acid bacteria isolated from forage crops on fermentation characteristics and aerobic deterioration of silage.

Two selected strains, Lactobacillus casei FG 1 and Lactobacillus plantarum FG 10 that were isolated from forage crops were used as additives at 1.0 x 10(5) cfu/g of fresh matter to alfalfa, Italian ryegrass, and sorghum, and their effect on fermentation characteristics and aerobic deterioration of silage was studied. The three silages treated with strains FG 1 or FG 10 were well preserved; had significantly lower pH values, butyric acid, propionic acid, and ammonia N concentrations, gas production, and dry matter losses; and had significantly higher contents of residual water-soluble carbohydrates and lactic acid than did the respective control silages. Yeast counts were high in all treated silages and increased rapidly during aerobic exposure. As a result, treated silages spoiled faster upon aerobic exposure than did the respective control silages. Most yeasts isolated from deteriorated silages showed high tolerance to lactic acid but low tolerance to butyric acid, and they were able to grow at low pH conditions and assimilate lactic acid. The results confirmed that L. casei and L. plantarum improved fermentation quality but did not inhibit the growth of silage yeast or aerobic deterioration of the silage.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed1999

Influence of particle size on the effectiveness of the fiber in corn silage.

This experiment evaluated the influence of particle size on the effectiveness of fiber in corn silage relative to that in hay crop, which consisted of mostly alfalfa silage. Fifteen multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to five treatments in each of 2 yr. The design was replicated but truncated 5 x 5 Latin squares with three 21-d periods in 1994 and four 21-d periods in 1995. The five diets (2-yr average, dry basis) were a basal, low fiber control with 12% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from hay crop forage (60% of total diet NDF); a high fiber control with 22% NDF from hay crop forage (82% of total diet NDF); and three diets each containing 12% NDF from hay crop forage and 9% NDF from coarse corn silage, fine corn silage, or an equal mixture of the two. An increase in the forage content above the basal amount with either hay crop or corn silage increased rumination and total chewing time. No detectable differences in rumination, total chewing time, or milk fat concentration were detected among the corn silage diets. In yr 1, yield of milk components and dry matter intake were greater for cows fed the four low alfalfa diets, but there was no effect due to particle size of the corn silage. In yr 2, linear increases in milk, fat, and protein yields were observed as the mean particle size of the corn silage decreased. Reduction of corn silage particle size did not affect chewing behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Effects of supplemental silage on forage intake and utilization by steers grazing wheat pasture or bermudagrass.

Seven trials were conducted to determine the effects of increasing amounts of silage (corn, wheat or sorghum) on forage intake, gastrointestinal tract fill, fecal output and ruminal flow and degradation of forage by cattle grazing wheat pasture or bermudagrass. In each of 3 yr, 24 steers grazed a common wheat or bermudagrass pasture and were randomly allocated to four treatments (0, .35, .70 or 1.05 kg silage DM.100 kg body weight-1.d-1). Intake and ruminal flow of forage were measured by feeding a single pulse dose of Yb-labeled forage followed by collection of fecal samples for 4 to 5 d and fitting Yb concentrations to a one-compartment, age-dependent model. Ruminal digestion kinetics of wheat forage were estimated in situ using eight ruminally cannulated steers fed 0 or .55 kg sorghum silage DM.100 kg body weight-1.d-1. Supplemental silage decreased wheat forage (P less than .10) and bermudagrass (P less than .01) intake linearly. However, total forage intake of bermudagrass plus silage increased linearly (P less than .05). Each kilogram of added silage DM decreased DM intake of wheat forage by .66 +/- .25 and of bermudagrass by .63 +/- .17 kg. Flow and turnover of wheat forage or bermudagrass were not altered (P greater than .15) by supplemental silage. Silage consumption increased extent of ruminal degradation of wheat forage DM (P less than .05; 63.1 vs 52.5%), indicating a positive associative effect of silage on wheat forage utilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Soybean milk residue ensiled with peanut hulls: fermentation acids, cell wall composition, and silage utilization by mixed ruminal microorganisms.

Preservation of soybean milk residue (SMR) by ensiling with peanut hulls (PEH) and subsequent utilization of silage by mixed ruminal microorganisms were investigated. Treatments were combinations of SMR with PEH at the following ratios: 100:0, 78:22, 71:29, and 60:40 (fresh weight basis). After eight weeks of ensiling, silage lactic acid, crude protein, ether extract, and non-fiber carbohydrates were highest when SMR was ensiled alone and reduced as amounts of SMR decreased. Similar trends were observed for silage in vitro dry matter digestibility, and gas and volatile fatty acid production by ruminal microorganisms. Conversely, silage pH, dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose, and lignin increased accordingly. The ensiling treatment appeared to alter silage cell wall composition. In particular, silage treated with PEH at the low level (78:22) resulted in reduced fiber contents and lignification. The silage (SMR:PEH=78:22) had enhanced efficiency of both silage fermentation and in vitro ruminal fermentation pattern.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Accumulation of 1,2-propanediol and enhancement of aerobic stability in whole crop maize silage inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri.

AIMS: To assess the effects of inoculation of Lactobacillus buchneri on the ensiling properties and aerobic stability of maize silage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Chopped whole crop maize was ensiled in 0.5 litre airtight polyethylene bottles (0.4 kg per bottle) and in double-layered, thin polyethylene bags (15 kg per bag), with or without inoculation of Lact. buchneri. The silos were stored for two to four months and the chemical composition, microbial numbers and aerobic stability were determined. Inoculation lowered lactic acid and yeasts, and increased acetic acid and pH value, resulting in improved aerobic stability of the silages. Inoculated silages produced 1,2-propanediol, the content of which increased as ensiling was prolonged, and nearly 50 g kg-1 dry matter had accumulated after four months of storage. The effects of inoculation, however, were much less pronounced in silages prepared in bags. Mannitol was found in all silages; the production was lowered by Lact. buchneri treatment and appeared to be unrelated to the accumulation of 1,2-propanediol. CONCLUSIONS: Inoculation of Lact. buchneri occasionally causes accumulation of 1,2-propanediol in silages without further degradation into propionic acid and 1-propanol. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Substantial amounts of 1,2-propanediol could be consumed by ruminants when fed on silages inoculated with Lact. buchneri. In addition to increasing acetic acid, attention needs to be paid to 1,2-propanediol because the two fermentation products might affect the intake and utilization of silage-based diets.

Aerobiosis↗

PubMed2006

Effect of silage type and concentrate level on conjugated linoleic acids, trans-C18:1 isomers and fat content in milk from dairy cows.

The objective of the study was to examine how the fatty acid composition of milk especially concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and trans-C18:1 isomers and milk fat percentage were affected by silage type and concentrate level. Forty dairy cows were blocked and randomly assigned to one of four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments and a six week experimental period. Treatments were total mixed rations with maize (M) or grass (G) silage differing in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile and starch content, combined with a high (H) or a low (L) level of concentrate (with or without grain). Treatments had no significant effect on milk, protein and lactose yield, but energy corrected milk yield, milk fat percentage and fat yield was lower and protein percentage higher for maize compared with grass silage diets. Overall, maize silage diets resulted in higher concentrations of CLA isomers compared with grass silage diets, but there was a significant interaction between silage type and concentrate level for concentrations of cis9,trans11-CLA; trans10,cis12-CLA; trans11-C18:1 and trans10-C18:1. A high level of concentrate increased trans10,cis12-CLA and trans10-C18:1 and reduced cis9,trans11-CLA and trans11-C18:1 when maize but not grass silage was provided. The results suggest that high levels of concentrate (grain) do not significantly alter the pattern of PUFA biohydrogenation in the rumen, the concentration of CLA and trans-C18:1 isomers in milk or cause milk fat depression unless combined with forage naturally high in starch and C18:2n-6 such as maize silage.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1979

The effect of formaldehyde treatment before ensiling on the digestion of wilted grass silage by sheep.

1. Wilted perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Endura) was ensiled without additive or after addition of a mixture of equal volumes of formic acid (850 g/kg) and formalin (380 g formaldehyde/kg) applied at a rate of 35 g formaldehyde/kg herbage crude protein (nitrogen x 6.25). The digestion of the two silages and the effect of supplemental N as urea or urea plus soya-bean meal on the digestion of the treated silage was studied using sheep fitted with a rumen cannula and re-entrant cannulas in the proximal duodenum and distal ileum. 2. The additive markedly reduced carbohydrate fermentation and protein degradation in the silo. 3. There were no significant differences between diets in rumen pH, dilution rate, volatile fatty acid production and the molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate. However, rumen ammonia levels and the apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE) and cellulose in the stomach were significantly depressed (P less than 0.05) by the additive. It also reduced (P less than 0.05) the extent to which the N of the silage was degraded in the rumen and, with the treated silage, more microbial N was synthesized in the rumen than food N degraded, resulting in a net grain of N between mouth and duodenum, as compared to a net loss with the untreated silage. 4. Supplementation of the treated silage with urea or urea plus soya-bean meal significantly increased (P less than 0.05) the amount of food N degraded in the rumen and rumen ammonia levels but had no effect on the apparent digestibility of OM, GE and cellulose in the stomach or on the amount of microbial N reaching the duodenum. 5. The quantity of microbial amino acids entering the small intestine and the apparent digestibility of amino acids in the small intestine were similar for all four diets. However, the quantity of food amino acids reaching the small intestine was significantly higher with the three diets containing the treated silage and consequently the apparent absorption of amino acids from the small intestine was substantially higher with these diets than with the untreated silage.

Amino Acids↗