Using Digestible NDF to Determine Forage Quality.ppt

Using Digestible NDF to Determine Forage Quality Dr. Dan Undersander University of Wisconsin Definitions Digestible NDF (dNDF) Digestible fraction expressed as % of DM NDF digestibility (NDFD) Digestible fraction expressed as % of NDF Importance of Digestible Fiber Use of empirical equations For many years we estimated forage energy content from single analyte Sampling of Empirical equations From Western Region %TDN = 82.38 - (0.7515 x ADF) From Pennsylvania %TDN = 4.898 + (89.796 x NEL) NEL (Mcal/lb) = 1.044 - (0.0119 x ADF) From Midwest %DDM = 88.9 - (0.779 x ADF) TDN Estimates from Different Empirical Equations Relationship of digestible fiber to ADF for Alfalfa NRC (2001) Dairy Approach to Predicting TDN of Forages Uniform feed fractions will have predictable digestion coefficients TDN 1-X =tdCP + (tdFA x 2.25) + tdNDF + tdNFC -7 A more accurate and robust way to estimate TDN of forages than ADF TDN values estimated by NRC(2001) are different than what we are used to. Truly digestible NDF An estimate of NDF digestibility at maintenance intake: .75 x (NDFn - Lignin) x [1 -(Lignin/NDFn) 0.667 or NDF degradability using 48h in vitro assay In vitro vs. lignin for fiber degradability Two different procedures Two different answers! Relative Feed Value = (Intake Potential * Digestible DM) Constant Relative Feed Value (Current) Intake Potential = 120/NDF Digestible DM = 88.9 - (0.779*ADF) Constant = 1.29 Relative Feed Value (Current) Intake Potential = 120/NDF Digestible DM = 88.9 - (0.779*ADF) Constant = 1.29 Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) = (dIntake Potential * dTDN) Constant Relative Forage Quality Intake potential = base intake plus adjustment for dNDF = base intake + ((dNDF-average dNDF) *.374) =(0.012/NDF) + (NDFD-45)*0.374*1350/100 From Oba and Allen, 1999, J Dairy Sci Relative Forage Quality Total Digestible Nutrients (dTDN) = dNFC + dCP + dFA*2.25 + dNDF - 7 = [(NFC*.98) + (CP*.93) + (FA*.97*2