THE FEEDING VALUE OF TARTARY BUCKWHEAT FOR RUMINANTS

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Abstract
The average composition (dry matter basis) of 14 samples of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) grown in New Brunswick in 1975 was crude protein 10.2 ± 0.25%, neutral detergent fiber 32.2 ± 1.3%, acid detergent fiber 22.4 ± 0.4%, crude fiber 16.3 ± 0.4% and lysine 5.8% of the total crude protein. The digestibility coefficients determined with sheep for buckwheat dry matter (67.5%) and energy (64.1%) were about 85% of the values obtained for barley. The apparent digestibility of buckwheat protein was 53.8% as compared to 71% for barley protein. Processing the buckwheat by dry-rolling or pelleting-whole did not affect its digestibility. There was no significant difference in rate of gain of steers fed corn silage ad libitum and equal amounts (2.1 kg/day) of digestible dry matter from steam-rolled barley or pelleted-whole buckwheat. Steers fed dry-rolled buckwheat failed to consume the total daily allowance of 3.6 kg of buckwheat and did not gain as fast (P < 0.01) as those fed the barley (0.98 vs. 1.11 kg/day). It was concluded that tartary buckwheat is a satisfactory grain substitute for ruminant animals and has about 85% of the digestible energy content of barley. Pelleted-whole buckwheat was more palatable than the dry-rolled form.

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