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The effect of ERDP:FME ratio and DUP supply from concentrates on the performance of lactating ewes offered grazed grass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

R.G. Wilkinson ,
L.A. Sinclair ,
J. Powles  and
C.M. Minter
R.G. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, United Kingdom
L.A. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, United Kingdom
J. Powles
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, United Kingdom
C.M. Minter
Affiliation:
Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire TF10 8NB, United Kingdom
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Extract

Fresh grass is a highly variable product, which is generally characterised as having a high crude protein content, with a high rate and extent of degradation in the rumen. For lactating ruminants, this may result in an effective rumen degradable protein: fermentable metabolisable energy (ERDP:FME) ratio in excess of the optimum requirement for microbial growth, leading to inefficient nitrogen utilisation and high levels of urinary nitrogen excretion. One method of improving the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation is the use of supplements. An appropriate supplement should optimise ERDP and FME supply to the rumen and provide sufficient metabolisable protein (MP) to balance animal requirements. The objective of the experiment was to investigate the response of lactating ewes offered grazed grass to variations in ERDP:FME ratio and digestible undegradable protein (DUP) supply from concentrate supplements.

Type
Sheep Nutrition
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1996 , March 1996 , pp. 160
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1996

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References

AFRC. (1993). Energy and Protein Requirements of Ruminants. An advisory manual prepared by the AFRC Technical Committee on Responses to Nutrients. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
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