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Relationship between dry matter and fibre degradation characteristics of silage and silage intake in steers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

L.E.R Dawson  and
R.W.J. Steen
L.E.R Dawson
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR
R.W.J. Steen
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down, BT26 6DR
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Extract

The lower intake of silage relative to fresh grass or hay from the same sward has been attributed to the end-products of fermentation, both in the silo and in the rumen (Thiago, Gill and Dhanoa, 1992). However, research at this Institute has indicated that the relationships between silage fermentation products and intake are poor (R2<0.10) (Steen et al, 1995). Thorton and Minson (1972) noted that the voluntary intake of forage (mainly dried forage) was inversely related to retention time in the rumen. The relationship between breakdown of dried forages (e.g. hay and straw) in the rumen and intake has been extensively studied, whilst the relationship between rumen degradation of silages and intake has not been studied to the same extent. The aim of the current study was to determine if there is a relationship between silage intake and degradation characteristics in the rumen, with a view to providing a better understanding of the control of silage intake.

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Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1997 , 1997 , pp. 124
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

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References

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