Publication Date
1989
Description
Forages are an important source of nutrients for ruminants and recently interest has been shown in using forages for a greater proportion of the nutrients in ruminant production. The feeding value of forages mainly depends on their digestible organic matter contents. Feeding of forages to animals is the most accurate method of evaluation but such trials are expensive and very slow. Many laboratory procedures have been developped for estimating forage nutritive value. Recently, near infrared reflectance has been developped to provide a fast and reliable alternative method. The aim of the study is to compare laboratory methods of forage evaluation including faecal index, enzyme procedures, rumen microbiological techniques and near infrared reflectance.
Citation
Riviere, Francoise; Maupetit, P; and Blanchard, G, "Comparison of Laboratory Methods for Estimating Herbage Digestibility" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 71.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session7/71
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Comparison of Laboratory Methods for Estimating Herbage Digestibility
Forages are an important source of nutrients for ruminants and recently interest has been shown in using forages for a greater proportion of the nutrients in ruminant production. The feeding value of forages mainly depends on their digestible organic matter contents. Feeding of forages to animals is the most accurate method of evaluation but such trials are expensive and very slow. Many laboratory procedures have been developped for estimating forage nutritive value. Recently, near infrared reflectance has been developped to provide a fast and reliable alternative method. The aim of the study is to compare laboratory methods of forage evaluation including faecal index, enzyme procedures, rumen microbiological techniques and near infrared reflectance.
