Suchart Suksathit, Chalong Wachirapakorn, and Yanin Opatpatanakit

pp. 281 - 289

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of ensiled pineapple waste (P/A) as roughage source on
rumen fermentation and feed utilization of native cattle. Four rumen-fistulated Southern Thai native cattle with initial weight
286.1±48.5 kg were arranged to receive dietary treatments in a 4x4 Latin square design. Each period was lasted for 21 days.
Cattle were fed concentrate to roughage at the ratio of 65:35. The roughage used was as follows; 1) 100% ensiled pineapple
waste, 2) 65% P/A and 35% pangola hay (HAY), 3) 35% P/A and 65% HAY and 4) 100% HAY. The results revealed that dry
matter intake among dietary treatments was not significantly different (P>0.05) (3.70, 3.81, 3.52 and 3.59 kgDM/d). Apparent
digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF in cattle fed only P/A as roughage source was higher (P<0.05) than in cattle fed
only HAY. Increased HAY resulted in linearly decreased apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF. Caloric density
of diet with only P/A as roughage source (2.96 Mcal/kgDM) was higher (P<0.05) than that of diet with only HAY (2.67 Mcal/
kgDM). Ruminal temperature, pH and ammonia-nitrogen concentration were not different (P>0.05). Acetic acid, propionic acid
and butyric acid concentrations were not significantly different (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Blood urea-nitrogen was
similar among dietary treatments. In conclusion, P/A is promising to use as a roughage source for Southern Thai native cattle.