Digestion of pasture plants by sheep. V. Studies with subterranean and berseem clovers

Abstract

Subterranean and berseem clovers, harvested at early and late stages of maturity, were dried and offered to sheep ad libitum, or at about 90 % of ad libitum intake. Feed consumption and the times spent in ruminating and eating were measured when the forages were offered ad libitum and several aspects of digestion were studied at the restricted level of feeding. The effects of maturity on (i) forage chemical composition, (ii) nutrient digestibility, (iii) parameters relating to the movement of digesta through the stomach, (iv) ruminal volatile fatty acid production, (v) the molar proportions of individual amino acids in abomasal digesta and peripheral blood plasma, (vi) nitrogen balance, and (vii) the time and energy expenditure in ruminating and eating, were generally the same with these clovers as has been observed previously with grasses. Substantial amounts of nutrients were derived from forages harvested in the immature state, the consumption of which provided about 1200 g organic matter per day. It was calculated that under conditions of ad libitum feeding about 500 g of volatile fatty acids was produced in the rumen and 160-230 g of crude protein was digested in the intestines per day. High mean values for nitrogen balance were obtained with immature subterranean clover but the variation between sheep was large. The levels of amino acids in blood plasma were also exceptionally high with this diet. The data obtained on the digestion of immature clover forages were compared with those obtained previously with immature grass forages. The patterns of digestion were generally very similar for both types of forages and any differences observed could usually be ascribed to the higher feed intake with the clovers. The forages had similar capacities to furnish volatile fatty acids in the rumen and digested crude protein in the intestines. The calculated energy expenditure in eating and ruminating, however, was slightly lower for the clovers. The data were interpreted to indicate that if immature clovers are superior to immature grasses in promoting animal production, the superiority cannot be attributed to an inherent capacity of clovers to provide the animal with a more favourable balance of nutrients.