Analysis of rumen degradation characteristics of forage crude protein in goat

Abstract

The quality of feed given to ruminants can be determined from the degradation of nutrient content in the rumen. This study aimed to determine the pattern of forage degradation and the characteristics degradation of crude protein in the rumen using the in sacco method. The study used 4 fistulae kacang goats with an average body weight of 14.57 kg. The forage used consisted of R1: elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), R2: mini elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott), R3: guinea grass (Panicum maximum), and R4: signal grass (Bracharia decumbens). The nylon bag is made of polyester measuring 8x4 cm with a porosity of 40 µm. Feed samples were put into the rumen and incubated for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The parameters measured were consumption, patterns, and forage degradation characteristics by calculating the values of a, b, c, a+b, lag time, and ED. Determination characteristics of feed degradation in the rumen by in sacco method will be analyzed. The results showed that the characteristics of crude protein degradation had significant differences in fraction values a, b, a+b, and lag time (P<0.05), while c and ED did not have significant differences (P>0.05). In conclusion the crude protein of the degradation characteristics in the rumen were: elephant grass (a: 9.88%, b: 64.37%, and c: 0.06/h-1), mini elephant grass (a: 16.50%, b: 45.24%, and c: 0.05/h-1), guinea grass (a: 7.42%, b: 68.24%, and c: 0.05/h-1), and signal grass (a: 6.79%, b: 56.19%, and c: 0.07/h-1). So, grass can provide sufficient protein for microbial growth in the rumen for ruminants.