J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1972. 34:636-641.
© 1972 American Society of Animal Science
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Performance of Grazing Steers as Related to Volatile Fatty Acid Production after Different Lengths of In Vitro Fermentation1

K. M. Barth, P. E. Shumway2, N. T. Kazzal, D. I. Davis3 and C. S. Hobbs

University of Tennessee,4 Knoxville 37901

Abstract

Determinations were made of relationships between body weight gains of grazing beef steers and various measures of pasture quality, with emphasis on in vitro volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from forage samples after three periods of fermentation (12, 24 and 36 hr.). Yearling Hereford steers averaging 243 kg were grazing orchardgrass-clover or tall fescue-lespedeza pastures from May until November. Average daily gains of animals, percentage of plant species, composition of pastures, and chemical composition and in vitro digestible dry matter of forage samples were determined at 4-week intervals.

Multiple regression equations were developed using measurements of pasture quality and in vitro VFA production. An equation containing the molar percentage of acetic acid after 24 hr. of in vitro fermentation, acid-insoluble lignin and crude protein contents of the forage samples and legume index best predicted ADG of steers grazing orchardgrass-clover pastures. With tall fescue-lespedeza pastures, the best prediction of animal gains was obtained from a multiple regression equation which contained the following variables: molar percentage of butyric acid after 36 hr. of in vitro fermentation, and in vitro dry matter digestibility and contents of cellulose and crude protein of the forage samples.

Footnotes

1 Published with the permission of the Dean of the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station.

2 Present address: Georgia Extension Service, Greenville, Georgia.

3 Present address: Animal Science Department, Fresno State College, Fresno, California.

4 Department of Animal Husbandry-Veterinary Science.






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