Abstract
Leafy timothy (Phleum pratense) silage (S), silage mixed with molasses (SM) and hay (H) were fed to nine male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) calves in winter to investigate rumen function and digestion. Three calves were given S with 18.5% dry matter (DM), three were given SM (21.9% DM) and three were given H (85.0% DM). The content of water soluble carbohydrates (in % of DM) was 8.2% in S, 16.0% in SM and 8.5% in H. Median (range) daily DM food intake per kg BM was 12.9 (9-2-14.4) g in calves fed S, 19.0 (19-0-21.9) g in calves fed SM and 21.0 (19.2¬21.1) g in calves fed H. In vivo digestion of S and SM DM ranged from 78.5-83.1% compared to only 69-9-72.9% in calves fed H. In vitro DM digestion (IVDMD) of cellulose (median) incubated for 48 hours in rumen fluid was, however, significantly (F = 0.05) lower in calves fed S (24.4%) compared to calves fed SM (42.2%). Median IVDMD of cellulose (48 hours) in calves fed H was 36.4%. Total concentration of VFA (range) in the rumen fluid from reindeer fed H (99.7-113.6 mM) and was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to animals fed S (57.7-85.9 mM) or SM (51.4-72.0 mM). Likewise, the pH of the rumen fluid (range) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in reindeer fed H (6.40-6.78) compared to animals fed S (6.97-7.30) or SM (6.79-7.27). Based on this study it is concluded that leafy timothy preserved as hay seems to be more suitable as emergency feed compared to silage. Supplementation of molasses to silage seems to stimulate food intake and ruminal cellulose digestion in reindeer. The lower intake of S compared to SM or H by reindeer may be explained by ruminal energy deficiency.
Highlights
Introduction and availability of pasture plantsIt is generallyReindeer {Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are ruminants known that during summer reindeer eat grass, herbs and digest plant cell wall carbohydrates by a com- and leaves, while in winter they feed mostly on plex symbiotic microbial system (Hobson et al, lichen, and small quantities of vascular plants1976;Syrjalatf*/., 1973; Aagnes etal., 1995;OLsen (e. g. Gaare & Skogland, 1975; Staaland et al, et al, 1997) producing volatile fatty acids (VFA) 1995)
Leafy timothy (Phleum pratense) silage (S), silage mixed with molasses (SM) and hay (H) were fed to nine male reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) calves in winter to investigate rumen function and digestion
Intake of grass by reindeer could be affected by several factors, such as the structure of the grass, the dry matter content of the grass and the chemical composition of the grass
Summary
Introduction and availability of pasture plantsIt is generallyReindeer {Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are ruminants known that during summer reindeer eat grass, herbs and digest plant cell wall carbohydrates by a com- and leaves, while in winter they feed mostly on plex symbiotic microbial system (Hobson et al, lichen, and small quantities of vascular plants1976;Syrjalatf*/., 1973; Aagnes etal., 1995;OLsen (e. g. Gaare & Skogland, 1975; Staaland et al, et al, 1997) producing volatile fatty acids (VFA) 1995). The lichen (Cladonia stellaris) eaten by reinrich in energy These intermediate feeders are able deer contains mostly hemicellulose and very little to adapt to large seasonal changes in both quality cellulose (Person et al, 1980), and is as such an uni-. Aagnes & Mathiesen (1995) used round baled silage of mixed grasses as emergency food for reindeer in winter. The palatability of this grass silage was high, but low digestibility and ruminal concentrations of VFA indicated that the silage was marginal for use as sole food for reindeer. A low stem to leaf ratio and a high concentration of water soluble carbohydrates seems to have a positive influence on food intake and ruminal digestion in reindeer (Aagnes et al, 1996). The present work was conducted to investigate the effect of leafy timothy silage and hay, and addition of molasses to the silage, on rumen function and digestion in reindeer
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