Wuttichai Seephueak, Wanwisa Ngampongsai, and Pin Chanjula

pp. 271 - 280

Abstract

This experiment aimed to study the effects of palm oil sludge (POS) in concentrate on nutrient utilization and rumen
ecology of Thai native cattle. Five ruminally fistulated Thai native bulls with average live weight of 361.80±15.74 kg were
arranged according to 5x5 Latin square design. The cattle were fed with Plicatulum hay ad libitum and supplemented with
concentrate containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% POS at 1.5 %BW. A metabolism trial lasted for 22 days, with the first 16 days
an adaptation period and the last 6 days the sample collection period. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) among
treatments regarding hay and concentrate intake. Digestibility coefficient of DM, OM and ADF of all treatments were not
significantly different (p>0.05) while CP digestibility coefficient was significantly lower (P<0.05) when 40% POS was incorporated into concentrate diet. Rumen parameters (ruminal pH, temperature and microbial populations) were similar among
treatments (p>0.05) whereas ruminal NH₃
-N concentration of cattle fed 0 and 20% POS were higher (p<0.05) than those of
cattle fed 40 % POS. Total VFA in rumen fluid, C₂
, C₃
, isobutyrate, isovalerate, n-valerate and C₂
:C₃
 were not significantly
different (p>0.05) while the proportion of C₄
 of cattle fed 0% POS was higher (p<0.01) than those fed 20, 30 and 40% POS.
Blood parameters (PCV, glucose and NEFA concentration) were similar among treatments (p>0.05) while, BUN concentration
of cattle fed 40% POS was significantly lower (p<0.01) than those of cattle fed 0, 10, 20 and 30% POS. These results indicate
that the optimum level of POS in concentrate for Thai native cattle fed Plicalum hay as a roughage source should not exceed
30%.