Ruminal degradability and whole-tract digestibility of protein and fibre fractions in fenugreek haylage

Abstract

Doepel, L., Montgomery, J. E., Beauchemin, K. A., King, J. R. and Acharya, S. N. 2012. Ruminal degradability and whole-tract digestibility of protein and fibre fractions in fenugreek haylage. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 211–217. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the digestibility of fenugreek forage compared with alfalfa in dairy cows. Alfalfa and two genotypes of fenugreek, Quatro and F70, were harvested and prepared as plastic-wrapped high-moisture bales. Fourteen weeks after baling, forage samples were obtained for determination of ruminal degradation and whole-tract digestibility. To determine ruminal degradation, forage samples were placed in polyester bags and incubated in the rumen for various time points (up to 168 h) in lactating Holstein cows. Digestibility in the rumen, intestine and the whole digestive tract was estimated by incubating samples in the rumen, followed by measurements of intestinal digestibility using the mobile bag technique in two non-lactating Holstein cows. Effective ruminal degradability of DM was lower for F70 than for alfalfa, while for ADF and NDF it was equivalent in all forages. Whole-tract disappearance of DM, CP, ADF and NDF was lower for F70 than Quatro. In general, Quatro and alfalfa were similar in terms of ruminal degradation and digestion in the rumen, intestine and whole-tract, while F70 tended to be of lower quality.