Comparison of three sources of inocula for predicting apparent digestibility of ruminant feedstuffs

Abstract

In the present study, gas production of three sources of inocula rumen liquor from fistulated sheep, rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle, and a suspension of sheep faeces, were evaluated to predict the apparent digestibility of ruminant feedstuffs. The highest gas production was obtained with rumen liquor from slaughtered cattle, and the lowest (P < 0.05) with the suspension of sheep faeces. The relationship between gas production and in vivo apparent digestibility was determined on 24 samples of graminaceous (oats (Avena sativa L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)) at three stages of growth, and on fresh and ensiled forages. The best results for predicting in vivo digestibility were obtained with green forages and sheep rumen liquor. Correlations were not significant for silages (P > 0.05).