A meta-analysis on in situ ruminal degradability of grains and meals for energy concentrate feeds

Abstract

One factor that may interfere with rumen fermentation is the physical form of feed, because of the colonization by bacteria during processing. Here, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis and evaluate the in situ ruminal degradability of energy feeds with distinct physical forms (grain vs. meal). We created a database, comprising 39 treatments from 12 studies conducted in Brazil, and focused on parameters for the potential and effective degradability of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of energy feeds. The results showed that there was no difference (P > 0.05) in any of the degradability parameters of DM and CP between the grain and meal. However, the readily soluble fraction of DM in the grain showed a higher degradability trend (P = 0.0888). Overall, it was concluded that the processing of energy feeds does not modify the degradability parameters of DM and CP, and that further studies need to be conducted in Brazil to evaluate the in situ ruminal degradability of starch.