Influence of digestibility of bulky forages in daily gains in penned steers using two levels of supplemented grain

摘要

Digestibility of bulky forages directly affects intake and animal gains in beef animals according to Minson, (1990, Forage in ruminant nutrition, 95-121). In general there is more information about high quality forage digestibility than about low quality stubble, straw or residues digestibility. In the Argentine temperate area there are large amounts of agricultural residues originated from small grains, corn and soybeans, that can be utilised for beef animal feed. High quality hay is very difficultto get due to the climatic conditions in spring and summer, when heavy rainfalls are not uncommon.