Abstract

It might be expected that the same physical characteristics of a feed, determining the rate of breakdown in the rumen and physical fill, might also influence the rate at which an animal is able to eat a feed. Moseley and Manendez (1989) observed a positive relationship between intake rate measured over 1 minute periods and voluntary intake ad libitum. These authors also suggested that determination of eating rate could be used as a rapid method to evaluate intake characteristics of forages. The present work examines further the potential of what will now be referred to as short term intake rate (STIR value), as a method to rank forages in terms of their potential intake, digestibility and rate of passage.

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