Evaluation of the protein quality of silaged corn ear products with different crude fiber contents

The assessment of the protein quality of silaged maize ear products was carried out on the basis of crude protein and amino acid analyses and of N balance measurings with growing pigs including comparative studies with maize corns and cereals. The differences found in the amino acid concentrations between the individual maize ear products could be verified on the basis of the analysed values of husks, cobs and corns. There were no significant differences in the parameters of total protein utilization (PNu, b-value) between the studied silages. The differing crude fibre content resulted, however, in reverse shifts in N excretion in faeces and urine, i.e. diminished protein digestibility was compensated by improved intermediary utilization.