Understanding interactions between forages and concentrates is important for formulating feeding strategies for growing cattle in central Vietnam

• DOI: 10.1071/ea07417
• Publication Date: 2008-06-20T00:57:45Z
• Authors: P. T. Doyle; C. R. Stockdale; Nguyen Xuan Ba; Nguyen Huu Van; Le Duc Ngoan
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; 0402 animal and dairy science; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences

Three experiments were conducted in Vietnam to measure responses forage intake and diet digestibility concentrate feeding growing cattle. The basal all was grass (elephant grass, Pennisetum purpureum, 1 2; native experiment 3) fed at 1.25% liveweight (DM basis) during the day rice straw ad libitum night. cassava powder plus urea. In 2 3, a formulated comprised of maize, bran, fish meal, urea salt used. concentrates offered ~0.3, 0.7, 1.3 2.0% each experiment, zero treatment also included. Effects amount on substitution rate for neutral detergent fibre (NDF) measured assess interactions between feeds. Substitution high (0.5–0.7 kg DM reduction per supplement consumed) not affected by 1. there no lowest supplement, but it subsequently increased with consumed, 0.3–0.5 consumed. markedly decreased dietary NDF (from 62 41%), whereas only reduced 11 8% units respectively. It calculated that depressions would reduce estimated metabolisable energy content 1–3.6 MJ/kg higher intakes. importance these results making decisions tactical systems fatten cattle central is discussed.