Variability within and among Experiment Stations in the Determination of Digestibility and Intake of Alfalfa

Abstract

An in vivo method for the determination of digestibility and voluntary intake during a 30-day trial has been developed and tested in a collaborative study at six Agricultural Experiment Stations. The magnitude of variability among sheep within stations was greater than that among stations for dry matter digestibility measured during the restricted intake phase. The same was true for voluntary intake. The variation in the determination of chemical constituents and their digestibility emphasizes the importance of sampling and the preparation of forages for analysis. More attention in sampling procedures is suggested. Further in vivo trials of this nature could contribute toward the procurement of forage samples with accurate measures of in vivo digestibility and intake for use in laboratory studies.