The estimation of the digestibility and metabolizable energy content of ruminant feedingstuffs from the gas production when they are incubated with rumen liquor <i>in vitro</i>

TLDR

The study presents a rapid in‑vitro method for measuring gas production from feedingstuffs incubated with rumen liquor. Gas production was quantified in calibrated syringes using only dry matter, protein and fat measurements, with batch‑to‑batch rumen liquor activity corrected against standard feeds of hay meal and maize starch. Gas production over 24 h from 200 mg DM was highly correlated with in‑vivo organic matter digestibility, and a multiple‑regression model (R = 0.98) accurately predicted metabolizable energy (7.7–13.2 MJ ME/kg DM, mean 11.17 ± 1.08 MJ, residual SD 0.25 MJ).

Abstract

SUMMARY A rapid method for measuring gas production during incubation of feedingstuffs with rumen liquor in vitro is described. Gas production in 24 h from 200 mg feed dry matter was well correlated with digestibility of organic matter, determined in vivo with sheep. Multiple regression analysis, when it included data from proximate analysis, resulted in an equation ( R = 0·98) for prediction of metabolizable energy content, based on 30 experiments with rations varying in protein and crude fibre content, and 59 other experiments with concentrates. Energy content was in the range of 7·7–13·2 MJ ME/kg D.M. ( ± S.D. = 11·17 ± 1·08). The residual standard deviation of the equation was 0·25 MJ. Gas production was measured in calibrated syringes. The only chemical determinations needed are dry matter, protein and fat. Differences in activity between batches of rumen liquor are corrected by reference to gas production with standard feedingstuffs (hay meal and maize starch).