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Protein and amino acid digestion characteristics of two forms of preserved lucerne forage fed to mature horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2013

N.L. Stowers ,
L.A. Waldron ,
D.G. Thomas  and
I.D. Pryor
N.L. Stowers*
Affiliation:
Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd, State Highway 5, Reporoa, New Zealand
L.A. Waldron
Affiliation:
LWT Animal Nutrition Limited, PO Box 119, Feilding, New Zealand
D.G. Thomas
Affiliation:
Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
I.D. Pryor
Affiliation:
Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd, State Highway 5, Reporoa, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author:[email protected]
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Summary

A trial was conducted, using 12 mature thoroughbred horses in a cross-over design, to compare the protein and amino acid digestibility of dry lucerne chaff (LC) against a controlled fermented lucerne (CFL) product (HNF Fiber®; Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd, Reporoa, New Zealand). Crude protein levels were higher in CFL compared to LC, and when individual amino acids were analysed, the majority (88%) of these were also higher. Crude protein digestibility was significantly (18%) higher in CFL diets (P < 0.001) compared to LC. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were seen in individual amino acid digestibility in favour of the CFL diet for lysine (24%) and methionine (30%), as well as threonine, histidine, tyrosine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, proline, serine and aspartamine. Although amino acid requirements in horses are still poorly defined, the higher availability of amino acids in CFL compared to LC should be taken into account when formulating horse diets including these feedstuffs.

Keywords

Lucerneproteinprocessinghorsesdigestion
Type
Original Research
Information
Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition , Volume 1 , 2012 , e6
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition Ltd. 2013 

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