Analysis of Nutrient Composition, Rumen Degradation Characteristics, and Feeding Value of Chinese Rye Grass, Barley Grass, and Naked Oat Straw.

Yulin Ma,Xu Chen,Jianxin Xiao,Zhijun Cao,Yanfang Liu,Muhammad Zahoor Khan,Shengli Li,Shoukun Ji

doi:10.3390/ani11092486

Abstract

Simple SummaryLimited studies have been reported so far on the rumen degradability characteristic of low-quality forage. In the current study, three low-quality forages (Chinese rye grass, barley grass, and naked oat straw) were selected. Various nutritional parameters such as rumen degradation characteristics, chemical composition and feeding value of three roughages were studied in detail. Among the three roughages, the Chinese rye grass (Leymus chinensis) was superior in terms of rumen degradability characteristics, chemical composition and feeding value.The current study was designed to investigate the chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics, and feeding value of three roughages commonly used in Asia as ruminant feed, including Chinese rye grass (CRG), barley grass (BG), and naked oat straw (NO). Four Holstein Friesian cows equipped with permanent rumen fistulas were chosen for experimental trials in the current study. The nylon bag method was carried out to measure the crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Our analysis revealed that the contents of CP in the CRG (9.0%) and BG (8.9%) were higher than in the NO (5.94%). The contents of NDF in the CRG (64.97%) and NO (63.83%) were lower than in the BG (67.33%), and the content of ADF in the CRG (37.03%) was lower than in the BG (37.93%) and NO (38.28%). The ED values of DM in the NO and CRG were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the BG. The effective degradability (ED) values of NDF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the NO (p < 0.001). In addition, the ED values of ADF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the BG (p < 0.001). The ED value of CP in the CRG was significantly higher than that in the BG and NO (p < 0.001). The estimated total digestible nutrients (TDN) (54.56%) and DM degradation rate (DDM) (60.06%) of the CRG were higher than those of BG and NO. In addition, the expected DM intake (DMI), estimated relative feed value (RFV), and estimated relative feed quality (RFQ) of the BG were lower than those of the CRG and NO. Altogether, based on our findings, we concluded that the nutritional quality, feeding value and effective rumen degradation rate of CRG were better than of BG and NO.

Highlights

The Chinese rye grass (CRG), barley grass (BG), and naked oat straw (NO) samples were oven-dried at 65 ◦ C for 48 h, and portions of the airdried samples were ground through a 1.0 mm aperture sieve to detect chemical components
A study reported that the content of crude protein (CP) was higher and the content of fiber was lower upon initial mowing from 15 May to
The CRG was mowing in the initial bloom stage in this study; and the result related to the content of CP was consistent with the findings documented in the previous study

Summary

Introduction

High-quality forage is essential for the production performance and health of ruminants [1]. There is a serious shortage of high-quality forages in the ruminant creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Industry in China [2]. The CRG is widely distributed in the eastern Inner Mongolian plateau and Songnen plain in China [3]. The feed value of CRG product has been reported in ruminants’ nutrition, while the harvesting time of CRG has shown a significant effect on dry matter digestibility and feed intake in sheep. It has been documented that harvesting of CRG in spring and summer showed greater dry matter digestibility and feed intake in sheep than in the autumn and winter [4,5,6]. The combination of Urtica cannabina L. and CRG at the rate of

Results

Discussion

Conclusion