Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T19:32:41.217Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The feeding value for beef cattle of lucerne cobs differing in maturity and date of harvest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

G. M. J. Horton  and
W. Holmes
G. M. J. Horton
Affiliation:
Wye College, University of London, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH
W. Holmes
Affiliation:
Wye College, University of London, Ashford, Kent TN25 5AH
Get access

Summary

The feeding value of four batches of dried lucerne cobs was compared in two experiments with beef cattle. The cobs were prepared from primary growths, cut early (LI) and late (L2), and from second-cut (L3) and third-cut (L4) material.

In Experiment 1, intakes and digestibilities of the four cuts, offered as the sole feed, were measured using six British Friesian steers in two (3 × 3) Latin squares. The intake of lucerne cobs decreased as the digestibility of organic matter and cellulose increased, to result in similar intakes of digestible organic matter for all treatments.

In Experiment 2, 32 beef cattle were given rolled barley and the lucerne cobs in the ratio of 1: 2 at two levels, plus barley straw ad libitum. The treatments were compared in eight (4 × 4) Latin squares. Similar daily gains were supported by diets containing LI, L3 and L4. Performance on diets containing L2 was significantly poorer at both levels of feeding.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , April 1977 , pp. 221 - 226
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

American Society Of Agricultural Engineers. 1969. Methods of determining modulus of uniformity and modulus of fineness of ground feed. Yb. Am. Soc. agric. Engrs, 1969, p. 348.Google Scholar
Archibald, K. A. E., Thomson, E. F. and Campling, R. C. 1975. Value of lucerne cobs for milk production. Anim. Prod. 21: 139–146.Google Scholar
Bastiman, B. 1973. Replacing barley with dried grass in intensive beef production. Proc. Br. Soc. Anim. Prod. (New Series) 2: 65.Google Scholar
Campling, R. C. and Milne, J. A. 1972. The nutritive value of processed roughages for milking cattle. Proc. Br. Soc. Anim. Prod. (New Series) 1: 53–60.Google Scholar
Clancy, M. J. and Wilson, R. K. 1966. Development and application of a new chemical method for predicting the digestibility and intake of herbage samples. Proc. 10th int. Grassld Congr., Helsinki, pp. 445–453.Google Scholar
Curran, M. K., Leaver, J. D. and Weston, E. W. 1967. A note on the use of chromic oxide incorporated in a feed to estimate faecal output in ruminants. Anim. Prod. 9: 561–564.Google Scholar
Demarquilly, C. and Weiss, P. 1970. [Tables of the feeding value of forages.] SEI Étude no. 42. INRA, Versailles.Google Scholar
Greenhalgh, J. F. D. and Reid, G. W. 1974. Long- and short-term effects on intake of pelleting a roughage for sheep. Anim. Prod. 19: 77–86.Google Scholar
Greenhalgh, J. F. D. and Wainman, F. W. 1972. The nutritive value of processed roughages for fattening cattle and sheep. Proc. Br. Soc. Anim. Prod. (New Series), 1: 61–72.Google Scholar
Horton, G. M. J. and Holmes, W. 1976. A note on the influence of a supplement of barley and dried lucerne on the intake of barley straw by cattle. Anim. Prod. 22: 419–421.Google Scholar
Marsh, R. 1974. The performance of early-weaned calves offered concentrates or artificially dried grasses. Anim. Prod. 18: 201–210.Google Scholar
Thomas, S. 1974. A comparative study of digestibility and voluntary intake by sheep and cattle. Ph.D. Thesis, University of London.Google Scholar