Abstract:
This report describes a laboratory exercise for graduate students that was designed to provide practical experience in evaluating forage nutritive value. Ten graduate students at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville who were enrolled in Forage-Ruminant Relations (a Ph.D.-level course) were paired and assigned either an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay sample or one of four bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay samples selected from the Arkansas Hay Show. A set of laboratory procedures was completed for each sample and the results were reported orally and in a written report. The energy content of these forages was predicted by several equations used in various states (Arkansas. Missouri, and Florida). The predicted energy content of these forages varied considerably, depending on the equations used; this aspect of the project led to considerable classroom discussion. Most students felt the activity was a valuable learning experience and should be repeated in subsequent classes. This activity may have been most beneficial to students pursuing advanced degrees in programs other than ruminant nutrition; these students may have no other exposure to these procedures during their advanced academic training, but some knowledge of the analyses necessary to evaluate forage nutritive value and subsequently estimate the energy content of forages may be extremely helpful in teaching, extension, or other service careers in agriculture.
Keywords:
forages nutritive value, energy estimation, graduate level
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