Efficiency of rumen microbial protein synthesis in cattle grazing tropical pastures as estimated by a novel technique
M. K. Bowen A C D , D. P. Poppi A and S. R. McLennan B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Agriculture and Food Science and School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
B The University of Queensland, Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Brisbane, Qld 4105, Australia.
C Present address: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Rockhampton, Qld 4701, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: maree.bowen@daf.qld.gov.au
Animal Production Science 57(8) 1702-1712 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN15535
Submitted: 2 September 2015 Accepted: 11 April 2016 Published: 19 August 2016
Abstract
The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (EMPS) in cattle grazing a range of tropical pasture types was examined using a new method of intra-jugular infusion of chromium–EDTA to estimate urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Seven pasture types were studied in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, over a 13-month period. These included native tropical grass (C4) pasture (major species Heteropogon contortus and Bothriochloa bladhii) studied in the early wet, the wet–dry transition and the dry season; introduced tropical grass (C4) pasture (Bothriochloa insculpta) in the mid-wet season; two introduced tropical legume species (C3; Lablab purpureus and Clitoria ternatea); and the temperate-grass (C3) pasture, ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). There was a large range in EMPS across pasture types, with a range of 26–209 g microbial crude protein per kilogram digestible organic matter intake (DOMI). Estimated rumen-degradable protein (RDP) supply (42–525 g/kg DOMI) was the major factor associated with EMPS across the range of pasture types studied. EMPS in steers grazing all tropical grass pastures was low (<130 g/kg DOMI) and limited by RDP supply. Negative linear relationships (P < 0.05) between EMPS and concentrations of both neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre in extrusa were evident. However, non-fibre carbohydrate in extrusa, total non-structural carbohydrate concentration in plucked pasture leaf, rumen fluid and particle dilution rate, protozoal concentration in rumen fluid and rumen fluid pH were not correlated with EMPS. It was concluded that EMPS was well below 130 g microbial crude protein per kilogram DOMI when cattle grazed unfertilised, tropical grass pastures in south-eastern Queensland and that RDP was the primary limiting nutrient. High EMPS was associated with a very high RDP, vastly in excess of RDP requirements by microbes.
Additional keywords: rumen-degradable protein, urinary purine derivatives.
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