Description

Intake responses of ruminants to supplementation with protein-rich concentrates or legume hays have been related to the ratio of nitrogen (N) content and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the basal feed. Marginal intake effect of supplements, i.e. change of organic matter intake (OMI) from the basal feed per unit OMI from supplement, decreased on average from 1.7 to 0 and -0.8 g. g-1 at N/OMD of 0.010, 0.016 and > 0.030 g. g-1, respectively. Marginal effect of supplements defined as change of total digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) per g DOMI from supplement was 2.5, 1 and 0.3 g. g-1 for N/OMD of 0.010, 0.017 and > 0.030 g. g-1, respectively. From these effects, marginal productivity of a protein-rich concentrate, i.e. increase in liveweight gain (kg) per kg dry matter of supplement, was estimated to decline from 0.9 kg. kg-1 to less than 0.2 kg. kg-1 when N/OMD is raised from 0.010 to values > 0.030 g. g-1.

Share

COinS
 

Effects on Intake of Supplementing Low-Quality Roughage with Protein-Rich Feeds

Intake responses of ruminants to supplementation with protein-rich concentrates or legume hays have been related to the ratio of nitrogen (N) content and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the basal feed. Marginal intake effect of supplements, i.e. change of organic matter intake (OMI) from the basal feed per unit OMI from supplement, decreased on average from 1.7 to 0 and -0.8 g. g-1 at N/OMD of 0.010, 0.016 and > 0.030 g. g-1, respectively. Marginal effect of supplements defined as change of total digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) per g DOMI from supplement was 2.5, 1 and 0.3 g. g-1 for N/OMD of 0.010, 0.017 and > 0.030 g. g-1, respectively. From these effects, marginal productivity of a protein-rich concentrate, i.e. increase in liveweight gain (kg) per kg dry matter of supplement, was estimated to decline from 0.9 kg. kg-1 to less than 0.2 kg. kg-1 when N/OMD is raised from 0.010 to values > 0.030 g. g-1.