Nutritional factors affecting rumen digestion

A series of in vitro fermentation experiments were conducted to study the effects of (1) grain particle size, (2) different nitrogen sources with different levels of energy and fiber, (3) storage form of forage (hay vs. silage) on microbial fermentation pfor berseem and alfalfa hays was another objective.Experiment I was conducted to evaluate the effect ofreducing particle size of grain on fermentation parameters. Cornisolated soy protein, and urea were used to equally replace (onnitrogen basis) casein enzymatic hydrolysate in fermentationmedia. Three fiber: energy ratios were obtained by combiningalkaline peroxide treated wheat straw and starch at ratios of122