Evaluation of pelleted aspen foliage as a ruminant feedstuff

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Anim. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5259384

Bas, F J; Ehle, F R; Goodrich, R D

Growth and digestion trials were made to determine the nutritive value of pelleted aspen (Populus tremuloides) foliage as a dietary ingredient for sheep. Lambs offered diets without or with 25, 50 and 75% aspen leaves, with lucerne as the other dietary ingredient, ate less and gained less weight as the proportion of aspen leaves in the diet increased (P less than 0.05). Digestibility coefficients for DM, organic matter, crude protein, gross energy, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose decreased linearly (P less than 0.01) as the percentage of aspen foliage eaten increased. Calculated digestibility of individual aspen leaf components gave values as low as 16.6 and 13% for crude protein and cellulose, respectively. Coefficients of determination for the linear regressions indicated no associative effects between lucerne and aspen leaves. Due to the depressed value for crude protein digestibility, the amount of acid detergent fibre-insoluble nitrogen was estimated. Over 50% of the total N in aspen foliage was bound to the acid detergent fibre fraction, reflecting the presence of heat-damaged protein, tannin-protein complexes that are unavailable for digestion or both. After adjustment for unavailable N, the crude protein digestibility of aspen foliage was 61.5%. Balances of 10 minerals were estimated during the digestion trial. Negative mineral balances for the 75% aspen leaf diet suggest that the lambs were in a nutrient deficient condition when fed on this diet. 29 references.

• Research Organization: Univ. Minnesota, St. Paul
• OSTI ID: 5259384
• Journal Information: J. Anim. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Anim. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 61:5; ISSN JANSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMALS
ASPENS
DIGESTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
FABRICATION
FOOD
GROWTH
LEAVES
MAMMALS
MOLDING
NUTRITION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PELLETIZING
PELLETS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PLANTS
PROTEINS
RUMINANTS
SHEEP
TESTING
TREES
VERTEBRATES