Comparison of methods for dry matter determination of high moisture roughages and faeces

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Abstract
Dry matter contents of 41 high moisture roughage samples and 31 samples of faeces were determined by toluene distillation, freeze drying, microwave drying and oven drying at 70 and 100 ºC. Significant differences were recorded between the results on roughages, with a toluene distillation method giving the most accurate results. The dry matter values of faeces were not significantly different for faeces from low intake levels. Further work is needed to resolve the influence of intake level on dry matter losses incurred during the drying of faeces.