Wanwisa Ngampongsai and Pin Chanjula

pp. 117 - 124

Abstract

The effects of different levels of sago palm pith as energy source on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation characteristics of Thai native cattle were investigated. Four rumen-fistulated bulls with average body weight (BW) of 263± 10 kg were randomly assigned according to a 4x4 Latin Square Design. Plicatulum hay (Paspalum plicatulum Michx.) was
offered to each animal ad libitum with 0.50 kg/h/d of soybean meal. The dietary treatments were sago palm pith supplementation at the rate of 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% of BW (T_1, T₂, T₃ and T₄, respectively). The results showed that the total DMI (49.77, 52.61 and 52.83 g/BWkg^0.75/d, respectively) and OMI (46.40, 49.30 and 49.74 g/BWkg^0.75/d, respectively) were not significantly different between T₂ , T₃ and T₄
, but all were significantly (P<0.05) higher than T₁ (41.56 and 38.47 g/
BWkg^0.75/d, respectively). Apparent digestibility of DM and OM were lowest in T₁ (43.63 and 48.03%, respectively), followed by T₂
 (51.86 and 55.29%, respectively), and T₃ (55.48 and 59.07%, respectively) and highest in T₄ (62.91 and 66.23%, respectively). Higher rumen NH₃-N and BUN levels were found in the T₁ (7.14 and 15.74 mg/dl, respectively) compared to the other treatments, while rumen pH and blood glucose levels were within normal range. Under the conditions
of this study, different levels of sago palm pith as a supplementary energy source resulted in a positive effect on nutrientn utilization of Thai native cattle.