Further quantitative data on the role of the ruminant proventriculi in the digestion and absorption of nitrogen-free organic matter

Abstract

Using a method previously described the share of the proventriculi in the digestion of nitrogen-free non-lignin organic matter in cows was determined. The cows used in the experiments can be divided into 5 groups according to their food combination: 1) hay as the only food, 2) hay and concentrates in a ratio of 1:0.5, 3) hay and concentrates in a ratio of 1:1, 4) hay and beet pulp in the dry matter ratio of 1:0.5, and 5) hay and swedes in the dry matter ratio of 1:0.5. Omitting some obviously erroneous results the share of the proventriculi seems to vary between 58 and 96 %. This share is largest in group 5 and smallest in groups where the cows were fed with hay and concentrates. In none of the groups did the amount of dry matter consumed seem to have any influence upon the results.