U. M. Yang
D. L. Palmquist 1
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Feed particles in the rumen adsorb fatty acids, decreasing the inhibitory effect of fatty acids on the ruminal bacteria. We developed procedures to measure the amount of fatty acids adsorbed to feed particles and asked whether adsorption capacity varies among feedstuffs. We found that alfalfa hay adsorbs twice as much fatty acid as does timothy hay and wheat straw. Particle size of the forage also influenced adsorption; smaller particles adsorbed more fatty acid than larger particles. Forage source can be a factor to influence usefulness of fat in the ration.
1For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 312 Gerlaugh Hall, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691; 330-263-3795; fax: 330-263-3949; e-mail: palmquist.1@osu.edu