J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J. Anim Sci. 1961. 20:468-473.
© 1961 American Society of Animal Science
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Lloyd, L. E.
Right arrow Articles by Crampton, E. W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Lloyd, L. E.
Right arrow Articles by Crampton, E. W.

Effect of Four Maturity Stages of Timothy Hay on Its Chemical Composition, Nutrient Digestibility and Nutritive Value Index1

L. E. Lloyd, H. F. M. Jeffers, E. Donefer and E. W. Crampton

Macdonald College2 (McGill University), Canada

Abstract

Timothy (Phleum pratense) hay was harvested at four stages of maturity and fed to sheep in order to determine the effect of forage maturity on nutrient digestibility and overall feeding value as measured by the Nutritive Value Index. Each maturity stage was also analyzed chemically.

With advancing maturity in timothy hay from the early-bloom through the post-bloom stages, a downward trend in protein, ether extract and ash content was accompanied by an upward trend in the content of crude fiber, cellulose and lignin. There was no evidence of a change in the content of nitrogen-free extract or in the gross energy value of timothy hay with advancing maturity.

In general, there was a decrease in the apparent digestibility of all fractions of timothy hay with increasing maturity. The digestibility of gross energy and crude protein fell progressively through all maturity stages. The digestibility of dry matter, crude fiber, cellulose and nitrogen-free extract declined progressively to the full-bloom stage after which there was no significant change. Ether extract digestibility decreased only at the post-bloom stage.

In vitro cellulose digestion decreased with each advancing maturity stage of timothy hay.

As a result of substantial decreases in both the intake and energy digestibility of timothy hay through each maturity stage, its overall nutritional value, as measured by the Nutritive Value Index, was significantly decreased as maturity was approached.

Footnotes

1 Macdonald College Pasture Committee Series No. XXXV. This research was assisted financially by the Quebec Agricultural Research Council.

2 Department of Animal Science.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1961 by the American Society of Animal Science.