China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2020, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4): 1070-1079.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2020.04.012

• Animal Nutrition and Feed Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Evaluation of Forage Nutritional Value in Alpine Meadow Grassland Natural Pastures in Different Months

ZHANG Qunying1,2, ZHOU Yixiu1,2, HAO Lizhuang1,2, LIU Shujie1,2   

  1. 1. Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China;
    2. Qinghai Plateau Yak Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Plateau Grazing Animal Nutrition and Feed Science of Qinghai Province, Academy of Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
  • Received:2019-11-26 Online:2020-04-20 Published:2020-04-17

Abstract: The aim of this experiment was to explore dynamic changes in the nutritional value of forage in alpine meadow grassland natural pastures in different months (July to December) in Yushu county of Qinghai province.From July 2017 to the middle of December 2017,a typical local grazing grassland was selected to track and graze yaks to simulate the collection of edible forage.And conventional nutritional content determination and in vitro fermentation technology were used to measure the gas production (GP),digestibility of dry matter in vitro (IVDMD) and other indicators of 48 h.The nutritional value of forage in each month was comprehensively evaluated to provide basic data for pasture value.The results showed that the content of crude protein (CP),crude fat (EE),Ash,neutral washing soluble matter (NDS) and digestive energy (DE),metabolic energy (ME),IVDMD of forage in July and August were extremely significantly different than other months (P < 0.01),and they were low in November and December.While the content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF),acid detergent fiber (ADF) and hemicellulose (HC) were extremely significant higher in November and December than other months (P < 0.01),and at low level in July and August.The pH and NH3-N concentration of rumen fluid in different months had no significant difference (P > 0.05).The GP and the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were significantly different between different months(P < 0.05),the value of GP and VFA in July and August were extremely significantly higher than other months (P < 0.01),and were extremely significantly lower in November than in other months (P < 0.01).The concentration of total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) had no significant difference among different months (P > 0.05),but the value was higher in July and September.In summary,the pastures of the typical alpine meadow pastures had good nutritional quality in July and August,but the nutritional quality of pastures were low from October to December,which could’t meet the nutritional needs of grazing yaks.The accurate feeding herders and rational use of grassland resources was recommended to promote the development of local animal husbandry.

Key words: fermentation in vitro; forage; nutritional value; digestibility of dry matter in vitro

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