The effect of level of feeding of pasture on its digestion by
lactating dairy cows
T.E. Trigg, A.M. Bryant, N.R. Cox
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1980, 40: 227-230
In three experiments, each of 60 lactating cows was subjected to
two levels of feeding, and apparent digestibility of organic matter
(OM), energy (E) and nitrogen (N) estimated. Rations were protein-
extracted, previously frozen or fresh pasture. When analysed on a
within-cow basis, apparent digestibility of OM and E but not N decreased
as feeding level increased. The extent of the decrease differed for
each experiment. However, content of metabolizable energy in the ration
was similar at each feeding level, since energy loss as urine and
methane was less at the high at the low level of feeding.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
