The Effect of Sieve Mesh Size on Analysis of Rumen Contents

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Abstract
The sieve mesh size used in screening stomach contents of a grazer, during the washing of a sample before microscopic analysis, determines the minimum particle size to be identified. The time involved in washing and screening is important and must be taken into account when one is designing a project that involves analysis of stomach contents. If the analysis can be restricted to relatively large plant fragments without loss of accuracy, then the larger the size of the mesh the more convenient because less time will be spent in screening the sample. Tests were done to determine whether changing the sieve mesh size would alter or bias the determination of the botanical composition of the diet. A further objective was to see whether the same mesh size would be optimum for a variety of grazer species. Rumen samples were collected from 96 animals. Among them 58 were wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus); 20 cattle; 7 Grant''s gazell (Gazella granti); 5 topi (Damaliscus korricum); 4 impala (Aepyceros melampus); 1 eland (Taurotragus oryx) and 1 buffalo (Syncerus caffer).

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