Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
The alkane ratio method for estimating pasture intake involves calculating the fecal ratio of plant (endogenous) and exogenous alkanes. This method is effective for sheep, although the delivery mechanism for the exogenous alkanes has presented challenges in cattle (Charmley et al. 2003). Dove et al. (2003) have shown that the relative concentration of components in a mixed diet can be estimated from fecal alkane concentrations using least squares methods. Further, if the amount of one dietary component is known, then the amount of all components, and hence intake, can be determined. In this trial beeswax was added to barley (BWB) giving the mixture a unique alkane composition. Known amounts of this mixture were then fed to cattle grazing three sward types.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Estimating Pasture Intake by Cattle Using Alkanes and a Known Amount of Supplement
The alkane ratio method for estimating pasture intake involves calculating the fecal ratio of plant (endogenous) and exogenous alkanes. This method is effective for sheep, although the delivery mechanism for the exogenous alkanes has presented challenges in cattle (Charmley et al. 2003). Dove et al. (2003) have shown that the relative concentration of components in a mixed diet can be estimated from fecal alkane concentrations using least squares methods. Further, if the amount of one dietary component is known, then the amount of all components, and hence intake, can be determined. In this trial beeswax was added to barley (BWB) giving the mixture a unique alkane composition. Known amounts of this mixture were then fed to cattle grazing three sward types.
