Twelve rumen-cannulated lambs (avg. wt. 40 kg), fed long-stem alfalfa or prairie hay in a crossover design (two, 15-day periods) were used to compare estimates of fecal output from a pulse dose of ytterbium (Yb)-labeled forage and fecal collection bags. Estimates of fecal output (g/day) with Yb-labeled forages were not different (P>.05) from total collection values for lambs fed either alfalfa or prairie hay. Fecal output from a pulse dose of Yb was 100 +/- 2% of total collection for lambs fed alfalfa and 103 +/- 3% for lambs fed prairie hay. Particulate passage from the rumen was faster (P<.01) in lambs fed alfalfa (7.0%/hr) then in lambs fed prairie hay (3.9%/hr). A pulse dose of Yb-labeled hay appears to prove reliable estimates of fecal output as well as passage rate estimates, but validation of techniques in free-grazing ruminants is needed. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.