R Berthiaume, C Benchaar, A V Chaves, G F Tremblay, Y Castonguay, A Bertrand, G Bélanger, R Michaud, C Lafrenière, T A McAllister, A F Brito
Insufficient readily fermentable energy combined with extensive degradation of proteins in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) may result in poor forage N utilization by ruminants. Using the inherent genetic variability and differences between harvests, our objective was to compare the effect of contrasting concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) in alfalfa on rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. Individual genotypes of the alfalfa cultivar AC Caribou grown near Québec City, Québec, Canada, were harvested at the vegetative and early flowering stages, dried at 55 degrees C, ground, and analyzed for soluble carbohydrates (fructose + sucrose + glucose + pinitol) and starch...
February 2010: Journal of Dairy Science