Due to a boom in the dairy industry in Northeast China, the hay industry has been developing rapidly. Thus, it is very important to evaluate the hay quality with a rapid and accurate method. In this research, a novel technique that combines near infrared spectroscopy (NIRs) with three different statistical analyses (MLR, PCR and PLS) was used to predict the chemical quality of sheepgrass (Leymu...

This study investigated the effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis) supplementation level, basal diet, sire breed, and sex on wool quality parameters in purebred and crossbred Merino lambs. A total of 48 lambs, over two consecutive years (n=24 per year), was randomly allocated into Spirulina supplementation level (CONTROL, LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH) groups and balanced by sire breed (Black Suffol...

A nationally accepted standard hay test for alfalfa hay has included measurement of Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Dry Matter (DM) and Crude Protein (CP). Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) has typically been calculated directly from a fiber measurement, usually ADF. However, this is likely to change. While there are a range of points of view on forage testing, it is l...

To evaluate the protein quality and postgut N utilization of full-bloom timothy hay, oat-supplemented timothy-hay diets, and alfalfa hay harvested at different maturities, apparent whole tract N digestibility, urinary N excretion, and serum AA profiles were determined in light to moderately exercised Arabian horses. Six Arabian geldings (16.0 ± 0.3 yr; 467 ± 11 kg of BW) were randomly allocated...

In Exp. 1, 31, 24, and 17 mature, pregnant Simmental x Angus cows (initial BW = 662.0 +/- 10.4 kg) in each of 3 yr were used to determine the efficacy of stockpiled orchardgrass, limit-fed corn, or ad libitum hay for maintaining cows in mid- to late gestation, respectively. In Exp. 2, 24 mature, pregnant crossbred cows (initial BW = 677.7 +/- 9.4 kg) per treatment in each of 3 yr were used to d...