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The Effects of the Corn-Alfalfa Hay Ratio on the Digestibility of the Different Nutrients by Cattle

University of Nebraska¹

Abstract

A total of 28 digestion trials were carried out to study the apparent digestibility of the dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract of rations containing the following ratios of corn to alfalfa hay: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1.

The dry matter, crude protein, and nitrogen-free extract in the feces increased as the corn in the rations was increased. The apparent digestibility of the dry matter and the ether extract increased as the corn in the rations was increased.

The coefficients of apparent digestibility for nitrogen-free extract, crude fiber, and protein were similar for all rations.

The rations were mixed to provide approximately equal levels of digestible protein. The coefficient of apparent digestibility of the crude protein in corn is similar to the coefficient of apparent digestibility of the crude protein in alfalfa hay, therefore, no wide differences between ratios were expected.

When the coefficients of apparent digestibility for the nutrients studied were analyzed statistically the differences in apparent digestibility of the nutrients between ratios were not significant.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 661 Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. This paper is condensed from a thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Kansas State College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, by Thomas W. Dowe.