The relation between various energy parameters, chemical composition and digestibility of some pasture swards in a subtropical environment

Abstract

Results obtained from 45 sheep metabolism trials, involving 190 sheep periods, with 11 different pasture types were analyzed to determine equations for the prediction of energy content, energy digestibility and digestible energy content. Independent variables considered in the analyses were crude protein and normal acid fibre contents and dry matter, organic matter and normal acid fibre digestibilities. In all equations significant pasture type effects were detected. The importance of these effects are discussed with particular consideration of likely biases that may result and the errors of prediction associated with overall regressions. The regressions obtained in this study are compared with a number of others reported in the literature.