Seasonal differences in the metabolisable energy concentration of kikuyu grass as predicted from in vitro gas production measurements

摘要

Under most circumstances, environmental factors influence the seasonal nutritive value of forages. Therefore, monitoring these changes throughout the year is of primary importance in feeding programmes. Successful prediction of ruminant performance depends on the knowledge of the nutrient requirements of the species of interest, the nutritional value of feeds and their intake. Recently, the amount of gas produced and its kinetics when feed samples are incubated in vitro have been used successfully todescribe their metabolisable energy (ME) concentration (Menke and Steingass 1988, Anim Res and Dev, 28, 7-55); and have been related to dry matter (DM) degradation, intake and growth rate of cattle (Blummel and 0rskov, 1993, Anim Feed Sci and Tech, 40,109-119) with accuracy. This study aims to describe the seasonal ME concentration of kikuyu grass as predicted from in vitro gas production.