Publication Date
1997
Description
Rumen cannulated cattle and sheep were used to study the effect of supplementation with several nitrogen sources on rumen digestion of tropical grasses. Supplementation of cattle grazing guinea grass (Panicum maximum) with dehydrated poultry excreta had no effect on rumen DM disappearance of the grass consumed. On the other hand, supplementation with fish meal increased rumen digestion of DM of pangola (Digitaria decumbens) and buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass above that found when soyabean meal was given. DM intake was significantly increased when fish meal was given in relation to that found when soyabean meal was supplied. Supplementing sheep with the foliage of tropical trees was able to increase DM digestion and voluntary intake of low-quality tropical grasses. Possible mechanisms for such responses are discussed.
Citation
Ku-Vera, J C., "Improving the Ruminal Degradation of Low-Quality Tropical Grasses" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session17/5
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Improving the Ruminal Degradation of Low-Quality Tropical Grasses
Rumen cannulated cattle and sheep were used to study the effect of supplementation with several nitrogen sources on rumen digestion of tropical grasses. Supplementation of cattle grazing guinea grass (Panicum maximum) with dehydrated poultry excreta had no effect on rumen DM disappearance of the grass consumed. On the other hand, supplementation with fish meal increased rumen digestion of DM of pangola (Digitaria decumbens) and buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass above that found when soyabean meal was given. DM intake was significantly increased when fish meal was given in relation to that found when soyabean meal was supplied. Supplementing sheep with the foliage of tropical trees was able to increase DM digestion and voluntary intake of low-quality tropical grasses. Possible mechanisms for such responses are discussed.
