Evaluating feed value of native Jeju bamboo (Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai) for beef cattle

Abstract

Objective: Recently, indigenous Korean grass Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (SQ) has garnered much interest as a roughage source for livestock to mitigate its adverse effects on habitat diversity. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation, palatability, and nutrient digestibility of SQ for Korean native beef cattle (Hanwoo) using <i>in vitro</i> rumen fermentation, <i>in situ</i> rumen degradability, and <i>in vivo</i> feeding trials.Methods: Using <i>in vitro</i> tests with rumen fluid as the inoculum for 48 h, ruminal fermentation of SQ was evaluated and compared with that of other roughage sources commonly used in Korea (i.e., rice straw, Timothy hay, and Italian ryegrass [IRG]). Additionally, an <i>in situ</i> trial 96 h was performed using three cannulated Hanwoo steers. Further, an <i>in vivo</i> trial was performed using eight Hanwoo steers to compare the palatability of SQ with rice straw in total mixed ration (TMR) and forage-concentrate separate feeding conditions. Finally, an <i>in vivo</i> digestibility trial of SQ fed as TMR of two particle sizes was performed with four Hanwoo steers.Results: <i>In vitro</i> and <i>in situ</i> trials revealed that SQ was comparable or superior to rice straw in terms of the ruminal fermentation characteristics of pH, gas production, total volatile fatty acid content, and effective ruminal dry matter digestibility (DMD), although its fermentability was lower than that of Timothy hay and IRG. In the palatability test, steers showed a greater preference for SQ when given as TMR. The total tract DMD of SQ fed as TMR was 75.9%±1.37%, and it did not differ by particle size.Conclusion: The feed value of SQ as a roughage source for Hanwoo steers is comparable or superior to that of rice straw, particularly when provided as TMR.