Use of plant hydrocarbons as markers to estimate voluntary intake and digestibility in beef steers

摘要: Abstract Calculating dry matter intake of grazing herbivores has been an issue in determining factors such as efficiency and digestibility forages. Two experiments were conducted using alkanes to validate analytical methods with oven-dried freeze-dried samples, compare contrast measured estimated intake, measure a controlled-release capsule (CRC) or supplement. In the first trial, 7 beef steers consuming either alfalfa switchgrass hay received CRC supplement random crossover design. Each period lasted 20 days fecal grab samples taken over last 10 days total collection 5 days. second 12 cattle fed blended once-daily alkane Fecal collected 5 days 14-day experiment. experiment, ate less digested smaller proportion diet ( P