The use of cell wall organic matter components and in vitro degradability characteristics to predict intake and digestibility of white clover for sheep

Abstract

The relations of the laboratory measurement of cell wall organic matter (CWOM) components and of the in vitro degradability characteristics of CWOM with in vivo digestibility and voluntary intake for high quality white clover were investigated. The voluntary intake, apparent digestibility and apparent rumen retention time of CWOM of white clover harvested at various stages of maturity were measured in rumen-cannulated Merino wether sheep. The in vitro degradability characteristics of CWOM of these diets were also measured. This study has quantified strong predictive relations between structural fibre constituents or degradation parameters and both digestibility and intake for white clover. The CWOM, cellulose and hemicellulose contents and potential degradability of CWOM of the white clover predicted in vivo organic matter digestibility with good precision (r2 = 0.74, 0.67, 0.72 and 0.72 respectively). The voluntary intakes of organic matter and digestible organic matter of the white clover were strongly related to CWOM, cellulose and hemicellulose contents and to the rate of degradation of CWOM in the rumen and the fits of these relations were at least as good as those predicting organic matter digestibility. The predictive equations based on CWOM: OMD (g/kg) = 97.6-0.081 (� 0.012) CWOM OMI (g/kg) = 83-0.085 (� 0.018) CWOM DOMI (g/kg) = 71.4-0.098 (� 0.015) CWOM are recommended because of the ease of analysis of CWOM in the laboratory.