Evaluation of nutrient intake, in situ disappearance, and fermentation characteristics of fermented Chaffhaye with alfalfa hay and prairie grass hay in steers

Abstract Text: The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritive value, fermentation characteristics, and in situ disappearance of Chaffhaye and compare it to an isonitrogenous alfalfa and grass hay diets. Each of the three Holstein (mean ± SD, 533 ± 38.2 kg) and 3 Jersey (622 ± 60.5 kg) rumen fistulated steers were arranged randomly in a replicated 3 x 3 latin square design with a 2 week adaptation period followed by a 1 week collection period. Isonitrogenous diets consisted of Chaffhaye (fermented alfalfa hay and molasses, Chaffhaye, Inc, Dell City, TX), alfalfa hay diet (92.6% alfalfa hay plus 6.4% cottonseed meal) and prairie grass hay diet (72.9% prairie hay plus 27.1% cottonseed meal). There was no difference (P > 0.181) in ad libitum DMI or the intake of CP. There was a tendency (P = 0.104) for steers on the grass hay diet to consume more NDF. In situ NDF disappearance at the 12 and 24 hour incubations were greater (P ≤ 0.0001) for both the Chaffhaye and alfalfa hay diets compared to the grass hay diet, but at the 96 hour incubation the NDF disappearance for the Chaffhaye was greater (P = 0.024) than the alfalfa hay. The CP disappearance of the Chaffhaye was greater (P ≤ 0.043) than the alfalfa hay diet, which was greater (P ≤ 0.003) than the grass hay diet at the 0, 6, and 24 hour incubations. Furthermore, at the 48 hour incubation the CP disappearance of the Chaffhaye and alfalfa hay was greater (P ≤ 0.001) than the grass hay diet. Methane production was reduced (P ≤ 0.024) in the grass hay when compared to the Chaffhaye and alfalfa hay diets. The rumen pH of Chaffhaye fed steers was slightly greater (6.73 ± 0.062; P ≤ 0.040) than either the alfalfa hay (6.56) or grass hay (6.47) diet. These data indicate that Chaffhaye has an improved NDF digestibility compared to a prairie grass hay diet and that the soluble CP fraction is greater when compared to an isonitrogenous alfalfa hay or prairie grass hay diet. Keywords: digestibility, forage, neutral detergent fiber