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Simulation of digestion in cattle fed sugarcane: model development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. Dijkstra ,
J. France ,
H. D. St. C. Neal ,
A. G. Assis ,
L. J. M. Aroeira  and
O. F. Campos
J. Dijkstra
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke Research Station, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, UK
J. France
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, North Wyke Research Station, Okehampton, Devon EX20 2SB, UK
H. D. St. C. Neal
Affiliation:
University of Reading, Department of Agriculture, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 2 AT, UK
A. G. Assis
Affiliation:
National Dairy Cattle Research Centre, EMBRAPA, Rodovia MG 133, Km 42, 36.155–000 Coronet Pacheco, Brazil
L. J. M. Aroeira
Affiliation:
National Dairy Cattle Research Centre, EMBRAPA, Rodovia MG 133, Km 42, 36.155–000 Coronet Pacheco, Brazil
O. F. Campos
Affiliation:
National Dairy Cattle Research Centre, EMBRAPA, Rodovia MG 133, Km 42, 36.155–000 Coronet Pacheco, Brazil
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Summary

A dynamic model of digestion and absorption of nutrients in cattle fed sugarcane-based diets is described. There are 11 rumen state variables, and four zero pools representing absorbed nutrients. The rumen state variables represent nitrogen, carbohydrate, long chain fatty acid, microbial and volatile fatty acid pools. The zero pools relate to absorbed amino acids, glucose, long chain fatty acids, and volatile fatty acids. The flux equations are described by mass-action and Michaelis-Menten forms. Wherever possible, data derived from trials with cattle fed sugarcane-based diets were used to parameterize the model. Sensitivity analyses revealed that stability and behaviour of the model was generally satisfactory. The model was most sensitive to changes in fractional passage and substratehydrolysis rates and to the microbial maintenance requirement. Within the limited information available for comparison, the simulations agreed with observations of fibre flows and ammonia and volatile fatty acid concentrations in rumen fluid. Duodenal non-ammonia nitrogen flow was consistently underpredicted and reasons for this underprediction are suggested.

Information

Type
Animals
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 127 , Issue 2 , September 1996 , pp. 231 - 246
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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References

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