Effect of different growth stages of rapeseed (<i>brassica rapa</i> L.) on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation kinetics in sheep diets

The objective of the present study was to determine dietary effect different growth stages rapeseed (Brassica rapa L.) on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, rumen fermentation kinetics in sheep. Four treatments were utilised. A basal control diet based alfalfa hay, oat soybean meal corn grain. Then hay replaced with 300 g/kg DM forage harvested at three stages: Vegetative, Flowering Pod. In vitro gas production determined using cannulated Suffolk sheep a completely randomised design, nutrients digestibility each four 4 × Latin square design 21 d periods consisting 14 for adaptation 7 sample collection. Feed excretion faeces urine recorded. Dry matter higher Pod compared Vegetative Flowering. dry matter, organic neutral detergent fibre acid similar among treatments. Nitrogen lower (P > .05). yield 24 h < .05) than rest Overall, inclusion pod stage as substitute is an alternative source protein without affecting digestibility.HighlightsEffect determinedNutrient between rapeseedIn