Influence of Hay Making on In Situ Nitrogen Degradability of Forages in Cows

¹ Station de Recherches sur la Nutrition des Herbivores, Institut National de La Recherche Agronomique, Theix 63122, Saint Genès Champanelle, France

The influence of hay making on in situ N degradability of forages was assessed by comparing the degradability of nine hays with that of standing forages at the time of harvest. Three ryegrass, two cocksfoot, and three alfalfa forages were used. The N degradability of hays was related closely to that of the corresponding standing forages (R = .91) and was, on average, lower (–2.5 points). This decrease in degradability after hay making was not constant; it increased when the degradability of the standing forage was high and when harvesting conditions were poor.

Key Words: hay making • nitrogen • ruminal degradability

Submitted on July 5, 1991
Accepted on October 24, 1991

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