Comparison of equations to predict the metabolisable energy content as applied to the vertical strata and plant parts of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
D. S. Lwin A , A. Williams A , D. E. Barber B , M. A. Benvenutti B , B. Williams C , D. P. Poppi A and K. J. Harper
A *
A School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
B Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.
C Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.
Animal Production Science - https://doi.org/10.1071/AN21510
Submitted: 8 October 2021 Accepted: 31 January 2022 Published online: 16 March 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Context: Nutritive values, particularly energy content of tropical forages, need to be accurately assessed so that rations can be more precisely formulated.
Aims: The research aimed to collate and compare equations used to predict metabolisable energy content in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) to ascertain the effect of vertical strata on metabolisable energy content to assist in producing silage of defined quality.
Methods: Twenty-four predictive metabolisable energy equations derived from international feeding standards were compared using forage sorghum samples grown under fertiliser and growth stage treatments. Samples were separated into leaf, stem and seed heads (where present) over four vertical strata.
Key results: Equations based on digestibility with crude protein were robust in the prediction of metabolisable energy and had application to routine laboratory use.
Conclusions: The current study suggests that predictions based on digestibility and crude protein content are best placed for metabolisable energy application. Such equations should be originally based on measured metabolisable energy content to establish a regression so as to be used for predictive purposes, and satisfy the biological requirement of in vivo and the laboratory measurement relationship with acceptable statistical error. Chemical composition relationships predicted different metabolisable energy contents.
Implications: Improved accuracy of the prediction of metabolisable energy content in tropical forages will provide better application of production models and more accurate decisions in ration formulation.
Keywords: crude protein, digestibility, feed assessment, feeding systems, in vitro, ruminants, tropical forages, wet chemistry.
References
Abate AL, Mayer M (1997) Prediction of the useful energy in tropical feeds from proximate composition and in vivo derived energetic contents 1. Metabolisable energy. Small Ruminant Research 25, 51–59.| Prediction of the useful energy in tropical feeds from proximate composition and in vivo derived energetic contents 1. Metabolisable energy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
AFIA (2011) ‘Laboratory methods manual.’ Version 7. (Australian Fodder Industry Association Inc.: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Alderman G, Cottrill BR (1993) ‘Energy and protein requirement of ruminants: an advisory manual.’ Prepared by the Agricultural Food and Research Council Technical Committee on responses to nutrients. (CAB International: Wallingford, UK).
Benvenutti MA, Pavetti DR, Poppi DP, Gordon IJ, Cangiano CA (2016) Defoliation patterns and their implications for the management of vegetative tropical pastures to control intake and diet quality by cattle. Grass and Forage Science 71, 424–436.
| Defoliation patterns and their implications for the management of vegetative tropical pastures to control intake and diet quality by cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Beyer M, Chudy A, Hoffmann L, Jentsch W, Laube W, Nehring K, Schiemann R (2003) ‘Rostock feed evaluation system: reference numbers of feed value and requirement on the base of net energy.’ (Plexus Verlag)
Blaxter KL, Wainman FW (1964) The utilization of the energy of different rations by sheep and cattle for maintenance and for fattening. The Journal of Agricultural Science 63, 113–128.
| The utilization of the energy of different rations by sheep and cattle for maintenance and for fattening.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dairy One (2007) ‘Dairy One forage lab analytical procedures.’ (Dairy One: Ithaca, NY, USA)
Fox DG, Tedeschi LO, Tylutki TP, Russell JB, Van Amburgh ME, Chase LE, Pell AN, Overton TR (2004) The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model for evaluating herd nutrition and nutrient excretion. Animal Feed Science and Technology 112, 29–78.
| The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model for evaluating herd nutrition and nutrient excretion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Freer M, Moore A, Donnelly J (2004) ‘The GRAZPLAN animal biology model for sheep and cattle and the GrazFeed decision support tool.’ CSIRO Plant Industry Technical Paper.
Freer M, Dove H, Noan JV (2007) ‘Nutrient requirements of domesticated ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Givens DI, Everington JM, Adamson AH (1990) The nutritive value of spring-grown herbage produced on farms throughout England and Wales over 4 years. III. The prediction of energy values from various laboratory measurements. Animal Feed Science and Technology 27, 185–196.
| The nutritive value of spring-grown herbage produced on farms throughout England and Wales over 4 years. III. The prediction of energy values from various laboratory measurements.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goering HK, Van Soest PJ (1970) ‘Forage fiber analysis (apparatus reagents, procedures and some applications). Agriculture Handbook.’ (U. S. Department of Agriculture: Washington, DC, USA)
Holden LA (1999) Comparison of methods of in vitro dry matter digestibility for ten feeds. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 1791–1794.
| Comparison of methods of in vitro dry matter digestibility for ten feeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10480105PubMed |
Martin-Rosset W (1990) ‘L’alimentation des chevaux.’ (INRA Publications: Versailles, France)
McLennan SR (2005) Improved prediction of the performance of cattle in the tropics. Final Report NBP.331. Meat and Livestock Australia.
Mertens DR (2002) Gravimetric determination of amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber in feeds with refluxing in beakers or crucibles: collaborative study. Journal of AOAC International 85, 1217–1240.
Minson DJ (1984) Digestibility and voluntary intake by sheep of five Digitaria species. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbantary 24, 494–500.
| Digestibility and voluntary intake by sheep of five Digitaria species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morgan DE (1972) Development of laboratory methods of estimating the digestibility and energy values of forages. Science Arm Annual Report, Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS). pp. 94–102. (HMSO: London, UK)
NRC (2001) ‘Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle.’ 7th revised edn. (National Academic Council, National Academy Press: Washington, DC, USA)
Poppi DP (1996) Predictions of food intake in ruminants from analyses of food composition. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47, 489–504.
| Predictions of food intake in ruminants from analyses of food composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robinson PH, Givens DI, Getachew G (2004) Evaluation of NRC, UC Davis and ADAS approaches to estimate the metabolizable energy values of feeds at maintenance energy intake from equations utilizing chemical assays and in vitro determinations. Animal Feed Science and Technology 114, 75–90.
| Evaluation of NRC, UC Davis and ADAS approaches to estimate the metabolizable energy values of feeds at maintenance energy intake from equations utilizing chemical assays and in vitro determinations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
SCA (1990) ‘Feeding standards for Australian livestock. Ruminants.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Terry RA, Osbourn DF, Cammell SB, et al. (1974) In vitro digestibility and the estimation of energy in herbage. Vaxtodling 28, 19–25.
Valadares Filho SC, Costa e Silva LF, Gionbelli MP, Rotta PP, Marcondes MI, Chizzotti ML, Prados LF (2016) ‘Nutrient requirements of Zebu and crossbred cattle – BR-CORTE.’ 3rd edn. p. 327. (UFV, DZO: Viçosa) www.brcorte.com.br
Volden H (2011) ‘NorFor – the Nordic feed evaluation system.’ Vol. 130. (EAAP Publication)
Weiss WP, Conrad HR, St Pierre NR (1992) A theoretically-based model for predicting total digestible nutrient values of forages and concentrates. Animal Feed Science and Technology 39, 95–110.
| A theoretically-based model for predicting total digestible nutrient values of forages and concentrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
