Further Observations on the Effect of Physical Preparation of the Ration on Volatile Fatty Acid Production

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Abstract
In a series of four trials, the effect of pelleting either the entire ration, the roughage portions, the grain portion or heating the ration was studied with wether lambs. The effect of grinding the roughage to two different degrees of fineness was also studied in association with pelleting and concentrate levels. Pelleting the complete ration narrowed the acetate to propionate ratio. Fineness of grind of the roughage was not a factor in altering rumen fermentation when only roughage was fed. However, when fed in association with the concentrate portion of the ration, there was an increase in the level of propionate in the rumen fluid of lambs fed the finer grind of hay. Feeding concentrate with roughage had a decided effect on increasing propionate production and lowering acetate production. Butyrate production was increased when concentrates were included in the ration. Heating (moist or dry) did not bring about the changes noted in fermentation due to pelleting the entire ration. It is suggested that the method of heating does not equal the conditions associated with pelleting. Copyright © . .