Evaluation and Prediction of the Nutritive Value of Underutilised Forages as Potential Feeds for Ruminants

Abstract

The aim of the chapter was to evaluate and predict the nutritive and feeding value of unknown and underutilised forages. Underutilised forages were collected from various regions. Chemical composition and degradability of forages in the rumen were determined. A dataset was created bearing degradability parameters of feeds from 40 studies. Using the dataset, a step-wise regression procedure was used to develop regression equations to predict rumen degradability. Of the underutilised forages, crude protein content tended to be double for Brassica oleracea var. acephala compared to Colophospermum mopane leaves and pods. Forage grasses tended to have very low crude protein contents compared to legumes and concentrates. Underutilised Brassica oleracea var. acephala tended to have higher crude protein levels compared to commonly used protein sources. The regression model for predicting the soluble fraction accounted for 59% (development) and 71% (validation) of the variation. The regression model for predicting the potential degradability accounted for 65% (development) and 24% (validation) of the variation. In conclusion, the nutritive value of underutilised forages was good, high in crude protein and high potential degradability. After correcting for factors that significantly affected degradability parameters, predicted solubility and effective degradability lay near the ideal prediction line, giving good predictions.

Effects of Inclusion of Different Levels of Ethiopian Thyme (<i>Thymus schimperi</i> Ronniger) as Natural Additive on Chemical Composition and <i>In Sacco</i> Dry Matter Degradability of Total Mixed Ration and Feed Ingredients

“…Studies have concluded that the degradability of feeds in the rumen is greatly influenced by feed properties being digested, such as neutral detergent fibre and crude protein content [23]. The CP level of NPH in this study is sufficient to support the optimum activity of rumen microorganisms and can satisfy the maintenance requirement of the animals [24].…”

Stocking Rate Has No Confounding Effect on the Use of Internal and Inert Markers to Predict Botanical Composition, Diet Quality, Degradability and Passage Rate Kinetics in Sheep

“…The findings of the correlation analysis from this study suggest that there are possibilities of estimating degradability parameters (a, b, c and ED DM ) of a given forage using its chemical composition. Gerber [28] and Moyo et al [29] applied this principle in the estimation of degradability of protein and dry matter of feeds, respectively. Nsahlai et al [30] used similar approaches for the estimation of the nitrogen degradable parameters and dry matter degradability from chemical constituents for fresh leaves of multipurpose trees.…”

Consequences of Increases in Ambient Temperature and Effect of Climate Type on Digestibility of Forages by Ruminants: A Meta-Analysis in Relation to Global Warming

“…Feed sample properties that affect degradability were identified from literature including Bach et al [ 9 ] and Moyo et al [ 10 ]. Feed sample properties were particle size (mm), feed class, feed subclass, and feed compositional attributes (DM, dry matter; CP, crude protein; NDF, neutral detergent fibre, ADF, acid detergent fibre; HEM, hemicellulose, and ash all in g/kg).…”

“…Microbial degradation is important in determining the digestibility [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ] and rate of passage of fibrous feeds in the rumen, growth rate [ 5 ], and feed intake of ruminants [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Numerous studies [ 9 , 10 ] have concluded that the degradability of feeds in the rumen is greatly influenced by feed properties being digested such as neutral detergent fibre and crude protein content.…”

“…It is known that the degradation of roughage diets depends on the composition of microbes (bacteria, protozoa and fungi) in the rumen [ 9 ]. Therefore, the potential extent of degradation of roughages in the rumen partly depends on rumen ecology as determined by diets fed to animals and outflow rates of liquid and solid in the rumen [ 9 , 10 ]. The duration for incubating feeds in the rumen in degradation studies vary between temperate and tropical regions, suggesting that potential degradability of feeds may be influenced by climate and ambient temperature.…”