Effects of Grain Processing, Forage to Concentrate Ratio, and Forage Particle Size on Rumen pH and Digestion by Dairy Cows

摘要

Dietary factors that alter the intake of effective fiber were evaluated for their effects on rumen fermentation, digestion, and milk production using a double 4 × 4 quasi-Latin square design with a 2~3 factorial arrange - ment of treatments. The dietary factors were extent of barley grain processing, coarse (1.60 mm) or flat (1.36) or mm); forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratio, low (35:65) or high (55:45) (dry matter basis); and forage particle length, long (7.59 mm) or short (6.08 mm). Eight lactat - ing cows with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were offered ad libitum access to a total mixed diet and milked twice daily.