A simplified method for lignin measurement in a range of forage species

Lignin is the prime factor influencing the digestibility of plant cell wall material. As concentrations of lignin increase, digestibility, intake and animal performance usually decreases. Presented is a simplified acid detergent lignin procedure which has been used to determine lignin concentration from a wide range of forages and also ryegrass at different stages of maturation. Forages used in this study included grasses, legumes, herbs and conserved material, with lignin concentration ranging from 2.02 to 21.1% of the DM. Legumes tended to have higher values than grasses, and ryegrass maturation was not accompanied by increased lignin concentration at 53 days of age. These results will be incorporated into a NIRS method for determining forage quality, and used in a dairy nutrition model to assist in ration formulation for dairy cows.