This experiment was conducted to determine chemical composition and degradability of dry matter (DM) of whole Safflower seed using nylon bags in Ghezel rams. Values of DM, CP, OM, EE, CF, ADF and NDF of whole Safflower seed, were 96.25, 17.63, 94.12, 30.32, 26.13, 40.8 and 63.8 percent, respectively. Water soluble fraction (a), slowly degradability fraction (b), potential degradability (a+b) and rate constant (c), respectively were 8.3, 39.6, 47.83 percent and 0.216 for the DM. Effective degradability (r) 0.02 for DM was calculated. According to these results, whole Safflower seed can be used as a good source of dietary nutrition in ruminants.

A ruminal in situ experiment using three ruminally fistulated multiparous non-lactating dairy cows was conducted to determine dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation of soybean meal and xylose-treated soybean meal. Samples were suspended in the rumen of cows for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h. Xylose-treated soybean meal had higher soluble digestible fraction (a) of DM than soybean meal (21% vs. 27%). Soluble digestible fraction (a) CP of xylose-treated soybean meal was considerably lower than that of soybean meal (3% vs. 20%). Xylose-treated soybean meal showed higher slowly digestible fraction (b) CP than soybean meal (84% vs. 78%). Effective degradability of CP at outflow rates of k=0.05 and k=0.08 h-1 was significantly lower for xylose-treated soybean meal than soybean meal (27 and 20% vs. 62 and 53%). Results from this study showed that xylose-treated soybean meal had lower available protein for rumen microorganisms compared with soybean meal.

Regarding to problems of digestible protein, metabolizable protein (MP) is offered. This system is based on microbial protein and undegraded protein in the rumen that is digestible in the small intestine. In order to determine of degradable protein in the rumen, ruminal undegradable protein and metabolizable protein of fish meal and cottonseed meal using crude protein degradability coefficients by in situ and ADIN data based on AFRC equation this experiment was designed. Three castrated sheep (49±2.6 kg) was used.the equation of P=a+b (1-e-ct) was used for estimating of CP degradabilities coefficients. The MP of fish meal and cottonseed meal was achieved 39.67 and 23.21 g/kgDM.

This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, metabolizable energy, digestibility and ability of gas production of Poa trivialis. Samples was collected at three phenological stages including: vegetative growth, flowering and seedling on two different elevations of 1300 to 1500 m and 2000 to 1800 m asl in Neor and Hir region as the first and second sites, respectively. Testing of gas production was performed using Semi-automatic gas producers machine WT-Binder 87532 Model (made in Germany). Fistulated castrated male sheeps were used for preparation of required rumen fluid. Results show that more crude protein and less cell wall were in the vegetative growth stage. Gas production was higher in the first stage in comparison with other growing stages. The amounts of gas production of soluble and insoluble structures at the first and second sites were 75.63 and 81.50 mL, respectively. Metabolizabe energy of Poa triviali was 2.38 in the first site and in the second site 2.48 Mcal/kg DM in the vegetative growth stage. Collected samples from the second site had more metabolizabe energy, digestibility, degradability and gas production in comparison with the results of the first site.

The present study was conducted to determine some feedstuffs nutritive values through different methods and to make a comparison between the methods. Six canulated steers (Holstein and Sistani) were taken into experiment in a completely randomized design of two observations per each replication. The amount of gas production at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours and feed degradation through nylon bag method at 0 , 4 , 8 , 16 , 24 , 48 , 72 and 96 hours were measured. The feedstuffs used included: alfalfa hay, wheat straw, corn silage, concentrate and cotton seed, fed at the maintenance level. Dry matter degradabilityat 96 hours for alfalfa hay, wheat straw and corn silage were 71.52, 51.02 and 77.89, and at 48 hours for concentrate and cotton seed were 80.59, and 53.51 percent, respectively. Dry matter effective degradability for the above feedstuffs at the maintenance level was 64.40, 36.70, 66.43, 76.03 and 48.16%, respectively. Dry matter degradability for these respective feedstuffs at 24 hours was 66.93, 33.57, 68.24, 79.83 and 48.71. The amount of gas production at 96 hour of incubation for alfalfa hay, wheat straw and corn silage were 51 , 45 and 75.5 milliliters , respectively, and for concentrate and cotton seed at 48 hour of incubation were 81 and 58.5 milliliters. Correlation coefficient between dry matter degradation and gas production for these feedstuffs were 0.99, 0.99, 0.99, 0.96 and 0.99 respectively and correlation coefficient between crude protein degradation and the amount of gas production were respectively recorded as 0.97, 0.99, 0.99, 0.99 and 0.98. Due to the high correlation coefficient existing between dry matter degradation, crude protein degradation, ADF and NDF degradation, and gas production, regression equations between these parameters and gas production were assessed for an estimation of the amount of these parameters from the amount of gas production without a need for tedious digestion experiments. As an example regression equation between alfalfa dry matter degradation and its gas production was: Y = 35.724+ 0.714x. In line with 51 milliters of gas production for alfalfa at 96 hour, this equation estimated 72.14% of degradation for alfalfa dry matter during this time, which in comparison with the 71.52% from digestion experiments, there is not any significant difference observed between the two recordings.

The present study was conducted to identify nutritional value ofRumex obtusifoliusin three phenological stages (vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity).Samples were randomly taken in pastures of Saravan in Rasht, Iran in 2015. After drying and grinding, the chemical compositions of Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fiber (CF), Ether Extract (EE), Total Ash (ASH), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) were measured based on standard methods. Gas production (in vitro) and Dry Matter (DM) degradability (in sacco) were determined. Phenological stage effects were studied using a completely randomized design in three replications and data were analyzed using SAS software. In phenological stages of the plant with the progress of maturity, the amounts of CP, ASH, Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE), and Non Fibrous Carbohydrates (NFC) decreased while the CF, NDF, and ADF contents increased. CP had the highest value (23.92%) in the vegetative growth and lowest value (6.11%) in maturity stage. The gas production in 96 hours of vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages was 37.68, 40.76, and 26.69 ml/0.2g of dry matter. The DM degradability in 96 hours for vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages was 80.25, 70.42, and 40.43%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between gas production method and DM degradability methods were 0.99, 0.98, and 0.97 for vegetative growth, flowering, and maturity stages, respectively. Therefore, the gas production method due to its lower cost was suggested for measuring nutritive value of this plant. The results showed that considering higher or equal protein content of this plant during the vegetative growth and flowering stages as compared to alfalfa, it can be used for ruminant animal diet. Using this wild source is possible to significantly decrease the expenses involved in animal nourishment.

Ruminal disappearance and intestinal protein digestibility of various feeds including forages (alfalfa hay and silage, corn and whole barely silages, and wheat straw), grains (barley and corn), by-products (sugar beet pulp and wheat bran), protein sources (soybean, cottonseed and fish meals) and whole soybean (Sahar and Williams varieties) were evaluated using the in situ mobile nylon bag technique (MNB) and three-step (38T) in situ/ in vitro enzyme procedure. Total tract protein disappearance of wheat straw was significantly less than the other forages (P<0.05). Intestinal protein digestibility of barely grain determined by MNB and 38T (0.74 and 0.83, respectively) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than corn grain (0.63 and 0.75, respectively). Mean total tract protein digestibility of soybean meal determined by MNB and 38T (0.87 and 0.92, respectively) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than cottonseed meal (0.78 and 0.77, respectively) and fish meal (0.80 and 0.81, respectively). Intestinal and total tract protein digestibility of roasted whole soybeans were significantly (P<0.05) higher than non-rosasted seads. The coefficient of determination (r2) for the relationship of intestinal protein digestibility between the mobile nylon bag technique and three-step procedure was 0.94.

In the present study, the chemical composition and nutritional value of quinoa crop residues were determined using insitu and invitro gas production techniques in comparison with alfalfa hay. After harvesting, whole quinoa plants were dried at environmental temperature, the seeds were separated, and the crop residues were used for the experiment. The results showed that the content of gross energy, dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and lignin of quinoa was higher than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). Crude protein concentration of quinoa (12. 29%) was lower than alfalfa hay (14. 32%). The main part of the tannin in quinoa was hydrolysable. Although the degradation rate and post-ruminal digestibility of quinoa and alfalfa hay were similar, ruminal, and total tract digestibility of quinoa were lower than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). No significant differences were found in gas production rate (c) between quinoa and alfalfa hay, however, it’ s gas production potential (b) was lower than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). Organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy and net energy of lactation in quinoa crop residues were also lower than alfalfa hay (P<0. 05). Based on the results of this study, quinoa crop residues have suitable nutritional potential for replacing part of the forage to meet part of the nutritional requirements of ruminant feeds. However, invivo studies are recommended to determine it’ s appropriate level in the diet.

This research was conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of vicia faba residues processed with some chemical compounds using in vitro and nylon bag techniques. Treatments included unprocessed vicia faba residues (control) and processed with water (2. 5 lit/kg DM), calcium oxide (160 g/kg DM), hydrogen peroxide (57 ml/kg DM) and sodium hydroxide (50 g/kg DM). The chemical compositions of the samples were identified using the standard methods. Ruminal degradability trial was performed using the nylon bag technique. In vitro digestibility of samples was determined by the batch culture method. Processing was effective on the chemical composition of vicia faba residues. Except for water, the other treatments increased Ash and decreased organic matter (p=0. 0001). Calcium oxide had the highest effect on the mentioned traits. Crude protein amount was decreased in all treatments (p=0. 0001). The lowest amount was observed in calcium oxide and sodium hydroxide treatments. The amount of acid detergent fiber in calcium oxide and hydrogen peroxide treatments was higher than other treatments (p=0. 0017). Except for calcium oxide and water, the other treatments increased effective rumen degradability of vicia faba residues at rumen outflow rates of 2, 5 and 8 percent/hour (p<0. 0001). The hydrogen peroxide had the greatest effect on increase of effective rumen degradability. Sodium hydroxide treatment increased dry matter (p=0. 0001) and organic matter (p= 0. 0029) digestibility. Also, calcium oxide and hydrogen peroxide increased the efficiency of microbial yield (p=0. 0016). Totally, the results of this research showed that the sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide treatments had the greatest effect on improving the nutritional value of vicia faba residues.