The Relationship between the calculated (Cal. ME) and gas estimated (Est. ME) metabolizable energy for Ruminants of some Sudanese feedstuffs

Abstract

Seventeen samples of Sudanese feedstuffs (4 samples of protein rich feedstuffs 
"cakes", 3 samples of oilseeds, 3 samples of different browse trees fruits, 4 samples 
of forages "2 rich in protein and 2 of low protein value" and 3 of roughages "crop 
residues") were analyzed to assess DM, Ash, CP, EE, CF and NFE, DM and CP 
degradability and digested to estimate their energy content.  
The results revealed significant differences in all chemical  components within each 
feed group. The cakes showed the highest DM and CP degradability, while other 
groups approximately showed similar values. The results showed that the calculated 
energy (Cal.ME) was nearly similar within each group except in cakes and oilseeds. 
In general, caked and oilseeds showed the highest energetic values, while browse 
trees fruits, forages and roughages showed slight differences. The correlation 
coefficient between the estimated (Est. ME) and calculated (Cal. ME) metabolizable 
energy was moderately positive for oilseeds and browse trees fruits and very high for 
forages and roughages, while cakes showed high negative correlation. In general, the 
correlation showed moderate value overall feedstuffs. From these results we 
recommend to use gas production method to assess the energetic value of feeds for 
ruminants.