Authors : O. Reyes Estrada, M. Murillo Ortiz, E. Herrera Torres, J.N. Gurrola Reyes and A.S. Juarez Reyes
Abstract: We used four ruminally cannulated steers (350±3 kg) to evaluate the effect of season on chemical composition, intake, kinetic, digestibility and ruminal fermentation of diet selected during grazing. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with months as the block and season of year as treatment. Time-sequence data than pH, ammonia Nitrogen (NH3N) and Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) were analyzed as repeated measures within a randomized block design. The Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Organic Matter Intake (OMI), Digestible Energy (DE), Metabolizable Energy (ME) and passage rate (Kp) of diet were affected by season (p<0.05). The Crude Protein (CP) and NH3N concentration were higher in the rain season (p<0.01). The content of NDF was different in seasons (p<0.01). Similar, acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations were different (p<0.01). Changes in chemical composition, intake, kinetic, digestibility and ruminal fermentation observed in this study appeared to be related to season.
O. Reyes Estrada, M. Murillo Ortiz, E. Herrera Torres, J.N. Gurrola Reyes and A.S. Juarez Reyes, 2010. Influence of Season on Chemical Composition, Intake, Kinetic, Digestibility and Ruminal Fermentation of Diet Selected by Steers Grazing. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 2969-2972.