Chemical composition and in situ degradability of sugarcane tip hay subjected to alkaline treatment.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of alkaline treatments with urea, NaOH and Ca(OH)2 on chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradability of dry matter, crud protein and neutral detergent fiber of sugarcane tip hay. Samples were incubated in the rumen of three cannulated cattle for up to 72 hours in a split plot randomized block design. Ammoniation with 6% urea increased (p<0.05) the crude protein content by 13% and reduced the neutral detergent fiber and insoluble nitrogen content of the hay. When treated with the highest doses of the compounds, there was a high potential degradability of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, and a shorter neutral detergent fiber lag time. Ammoniation with urea promotes a reduction in the content of NDF, hemicellulose and insoluble nitrogen, with an increase in the content of CP in the hay, with emphasis for the level of 6% urea. The ruminal degradation of sugarcane tip hay increases with alkaline treatments using 6% urea or 3% NaOH, however, ammoniation with urea is indicated for the treatment of hay, as this is low cost and can be easily adopted by farmers in the semiarid region.

The effect of leucaena hay as a source of effective fibre and nutrients in diets with forage palm for finishing sheep in semi-arid regions.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of diets for finishing sheep, containing leucaena hay as a source of effective fibre and forage palm. Twenty-one male sheep were used in a randomized block design with three treatments, represented by total diets, where the forage was leucaena hay and forage palm in natura in proportions 350:650, 450:550 and 550:450 g/kg respectively. For the pH and NH3 -N in the ruminal fluid, and urea in the blood serum, plots split in time were adopted. Dry matter and nutrient digestibility, and the nitrogen balance were not influenced (p > .05) by the diets. The neutral detergent fibre digestibility decreased (p < .05) as the proportions of leucaena hay in the diets increased. The pH and NH3 -N were suitable for ruminal fermentation, and blood urea was maintained under normal physiological conditions for sheep. Combining 350 to 550 g/kg of leucaena hay with 450 to 650 g/kg of forage palm in total diets with a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40 in late-maturing sheep meets the nutritional requirements for daily gain 200 g, characterizing leucaena hay as important source of effective fibre and nutrients in diets.