Development of a model to predict forage intake by grazing cattle.

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Title:	Development of a model to predict forage intake by grazing cattle.
Author:	Hyer, J C : Oltjen, J W : Galyean, M L
Citation:	J-Anim-Sci. 1991 Feb; 69(2): 827-35
Abstract:	A mathematical model to predict daily DMI and account for effects of energy supplementation on forage intake has been developed in several stages. A previously evaluated dynamic rumen model for sheep was adopted as the fermentation component of the intake model. Intake was adjusted to reach a given level of DM fill, which is the sum of the concentrations of each of the dietary fractions within the rumen. Differential equations described the rate of change of each nutrient fraction. Genetic size scaling rules based on mature body size relationships were used to adjust rate and fill parameters of the intake model from sheep to beef cattle. Nutrient fractions were partitioned into those that flow at the particulate passage rate vs the fluid passage rate. Forty-two data points representing perennial ryegrass, wheat pasture and range grasses were used to parameterize and evaluate the model. The model was relatively sensitive to the coefficient relating DMI to particulate rate of passage, the rate constant for the use of the potentially degraded fiber fraction of the forage, and to the composition constants for the amount of carbohydrate and nitrogen in the microbial mass. Relative insensitivity was observed for starch and protein nutrient use rate constants, for the coefficient relating DMI to fluid passage rate, and for constants relating to the growth of the microbial mass in the rumen. Feed intake of grazing cattle may be predicted by mechanistic models describing various nutrients' contribution to ruminal fill.
Review References:	None
Notes:	Copyright Journal of Animal Science. Abstracts are reprinted by the permission of the publisher of the journal for volume, pages, and dates cited. Hypertext links to electronic journal sites, if available, can be found in the the Peer Reviewed Journal List on the IBIDS home page.
Language:	English
Publication Type:	Journal-Article
Keywords:	Cattle physiology : Eating : Grasses : Models, Biological : Rumen physiology
URL:	http://www.asas.uiuc.edu/asas/asas.cgi?jas/jas.html