The microbial submodel was a significant step forward in the prediction of microbial flow to the small intestine. This model was a significant departure from the empirical models used previously and established a base for a more mechanistic approach that could be linked with a nutrition model that was useable in the field. This, perhaps, was the biggest contribution. There have been microbial models that have been developed which are quite sophisticated but were not linked to a field nutrition model.This effort allowed us to take a significant step forward in ration formulation. The additional power of this model is that the development allows us to increase the sensitivity through the addition of new nutrient fractions as well as new microbial niches as we gain knowledgeof the rumen ecological system. Much of his concepts and ideas are compiled in a teaching laboratory manual on rumen microbiology (Russell, 2002) which will be of great value to many students and scientists in the years to come.
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