Animal Science, Department of
Date of this Version
2023
Citation
2023 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report
UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
Feed ingredient, feed refusals, duodenal and fecal samples were analyzed to compare two methods of determining neutral detergent fiber. All samples were weighed into Ankom F58 fiber bags and Analyzed using an Ankom 2000 automated fiber Analyzer. Results were then compared to the Van Soest beaker method. The fiber values determined from both methods were within 3.5% of one another, with the beaker method being consistently greater compared to the Ankom method, except for fecal samples. Variability in fiber estimates for ingredients, feed refusals, and feces translated to substantial inconsistency in estimated neutral detergent fiber digestibilities among treatments. It is important to utilize a technique that results in correct neutral detergent fiber values because these values are used to further calculate digestibility of diets.
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons