| Popis: |
The nutritive value of Matua prairie grass (Matua), Bromus willdenowii Kunth, for ruminants has not been documented. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Matua and Matua-alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay diets on apparent digestibility and N balance in lambs. Fourteen crossbred wether lambs (BW = 38 ± 4.3 kg) were used in a metabolism study. Apparent digestibilities of DM, NDF, ADF, and CP, and N balance were determined. The CP content of Matua-alfalfa mixed hay and Matua hay were11.26 and 10.88%, respectively. Regarding fiber components, NDF was 70.52 and 73.37%, and ADF was 40.99 and 41.94% in the Matua-alfalfa mixed and Matua hays, respectively. Apparent digestibilities of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected by diet. Apparent digestibility of CP in lambs was 35.24% higher (P < 0.05) for the Matua-alfalfa mixed hay than the Matua hay. Fecal and urinary N excretion increased (P < 0.05) in the lambs fed Matua versus Matua-alfalfa hay by 28.35 and 7.29%, respectively. Nitrogen retention was 92.27% higher (P < 0.05), also as a result of feeding Matua-alfalfa versus Matua hay to lambs. Animal performance may be improved because of improved N utilization and nutritive value through incorporation of alfalfa into Matua stands. |
