HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Huston, J. E. Articles by Allen, M. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Huston, J. E. Articles by Allen, M. L.

Dynamics of Digestion in Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Deer¹

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, San Angelo 76901 and College Station 77843

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted to study factors affecting digestibility of forages in cattle, sheep, goats and white-tailed deer. In a series of digestion trials (Exp. 1), the dry matter digestibility of a moderately high fiber diet was greater in cattle than in deer. Digestibilities of the diet in sheep and goats were intermediate and not different from either extreme. In a second series of trials (Exp. 2), relative organic matter digestibilities were for goats>sheep>deer. However, in Exp. 2, intake in goats was very low and digestibility appeared to be positively related to retention time and inversely related to turnover rate. Results of three trials (Exp. 3) suggested that rate of digestion was related more to diet than to the animal species consuming the diet. In grazing animals (Exp. 4), goats digested a smaller percentage of consumed material than either cows or sheep during three of four seasons even though diets were of similar in vitro digestibility. This difference was related to a faster turnover and shorter retention time in goats. These data support the concept that there are species differences in gastrointestinal dynamics which may be important determinants of adaptability to grazing conditions.

¹ Technical Article No. 20445 of the Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., Texas A&M Univ. System, College Station, TX 77843.

² Texas Agr. Exp. Sta., 7887 N. Highway 87, San Angelo, TX 76901.

³ Dept. of Range Sci., College Station, TX 77843.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci., College Station, TX 77843.

⁵ Deceased.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. C. Burns ASAS Centennial Paper: Utilization of pasture and forages by ruminants: A historical perspective J Anim Sci, December 1, 2008; 86(12): 3647 - 3663. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. R. Yanez Ruiz, A. Moumen, A. I. Martin Garcia, and E. Molina Alcaide Ruminal fermentation and degradation patterns, protozoa population, and urinary purine derivatives excretion in goats and wethers fed diets based on two-stage olive cake: Effect of PEG supply J Anim Sci, July 1, 2004; 82(7): 2023 - 2032. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]