Authors : S. Chumpawadee and O. Pimpa
Abstract: The objective of this study, was to determine the effect of fodder tree as fiber sources in a total mixed ration on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, chewing behavior and ruminal fermentation. Four Brahman-Thai native crossbred steers with an average initial body weight of 233.3+13.09 kg were randomly assigned in a 4x4 Latin Square Design. During each of four 21 days periods, the animals were fed 4 Total Mixed Rations that varied in the fiber sources: Corn cob as fiber sources (C-TMR, control), Burma padauk leave as fiber source (B-TMR), Rain tree leave as fiber source (R-TMR) and Siamese rough bush leave as fiber source (S-TMR). The results showed that feed intake, crude protein digestibility, chewing time and ruminal fermentation were significantly different among treatments (p<0.05). Dry matter intake of animal fed R-TMR, B-TMR had higher than S-TMR and C-TMR (control). In this study, R-TMR had lowest crude protein digestibility. The number of chewing had highest when animals fed B-TMR. At 2 h post feeding C-TMR had the highest NH3-N, when compared with other TMRs. The fodder tree as a fiber source in the total mixed ration has positive effect on feed intake and chewing behavior. Therefore, fodder trees can be use as fiber sources in TMR, especially when acute shortage of conventional fiber sources.
S. Chumpawadee and O. Pimpa , 2009. Effect of Fodder Tree as Fiber Sources in Total Mixed Ration on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Chewing Behavior and Ruminal Fermentation in Beef Cattle. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 8: 1279-1284.