青贮玉米秸饲喂奶牛效果研究

采用在奶牛日粮中分别加入青贮玉米秸和玉米秸对比试验的方法，经过30d锔喂试验，表明试验组比对照组日均产奶高1．24kg,差异显著（P＜0．05）。     

Effect of the type of silage on milk yield,intake and rumen metabolism of dairy cows grazing swards with low herbage mass

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of herbage allowance (HA) and type of silage supplemented (TS) on milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI) and metabolism of dairy cows in early lactation. Thirty‐six Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows were allocated to four treatments derived from an arrangement of two HA (LHA = 17 or HHA = 25 kg of DM/cow/day) and two TS (grass (GS) or maize (MS)). Herbage allowance had no effect on DMI or milk yield. Rumen pH and NH₃‐N concentration were not affected by HA. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen (microbial protein (MP)) was affected by HA with 21.5 and 23.9 g microbial nitrogen per kg ruminal digestible organic matter for LHA and HHA, respectively (P < 0.05). Supplementation with MS showed higher values of milk yield by 2.4 kg/cow/day (P < 0.001), milk protein content by 0.10 % (P < 0.023) and herbage DMI by 2.2 kg/cow/day, and showed lower values for milk urea compared to GS (P < 0.001). The former results suggest that TS had a greater effect on milk yield, total feed intake and energy intake than increase in herbage allowance; however, increase in HA had greater effects on MP than TS.     

甘露寡糖对围产期奶牛瘤胃微生物区系的影响

试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平的甘露寡糖(MOS)对荷斯坦奶牛围产后期瘤胃微生物区系的影响.选取60头荷斯坦奶牛,随机分4组,每组15头.对照组饲喂基础饲粮,低、中、高剂量组分别在基础饲粮基础上添加5、10、15 g/(头·d)MOS.结果 显示,随着MOS添加量的增加,奶牛产后21 d瘤胃液中微生物蛋白含量、总挥发性...     

苜蓿青贮料替代苜蓿青干草对奶牛生产性能及乳品质的影响

试验旨在探讨苜蓿青贮料替代不同比例苜蓿青干草对奶牛生产性能、乳品质、营养物质表观消化率、血液生化指标及经济效益的影响。选取体重、产奶量、胎次相近的健康泌乳中期中高产中国荷斯坦奶牛15头,随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复1头牛。对照组饲喂4.0 kg苜蓿青干草,试验A、B组分别用4.4,8.8 kg苜蓿青贮料代替2.0和4.0 kg等干物质的苜蓿青干草,正试期64 d。结果表明,1)各组间干物质采食量差异不显著(P>0.05),B组产奶量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),A组与对照组、B组间差异不显著(P>0.05); 2)用50%,100%的苜蓿青贮料替代等干物质的苜蓿青干草,其乳蛋白、乳脂率、乳糖均有所改善,但只有B组的乳脂率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),其余指标各组间差异均不显著(P>0.05);3)A、B组与对照组的中性洗涤纤维表观消化率、钙表观消化率无显著性差异(P>0.05),A、B组间粗蛋白和磷表观消化率差异不显著(P>0.05),但是粗蛋白表观消化率均显著低于对照组、磷表观消化率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);4)苜蓿青贮料替代苜蓿青干草其血清总蛋白、白蛋白、血尿素氮、血糖、二氧化碳结合力等指标没有显著性改变(P>0.05);5)试验A、B组经济效益均有所增加,其中A组的净增收益最高,为0.61元/(头·d)。综上,用4.4 kg苜蓿青贮料代替2.0 kg苜蓿青干草对中高产奶牛是适宜的,能提高其生产性能,改善乳品质,增加收益。     

青贮金针菇对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃发酵、甲烷排放及原生动物数量的影响

文章旨在研究不同水平青贮金针菇及尿素对奶牛养分消化率、瘤胃发酵、甲烷排放及原生动物数量的影响。试验选择15头荷斯坦奶牛[(542±68)kg],随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每个重复1头牛。试验一共设计5种日粮,对照组饲喂基础日粮,各处理组分别在基础饲粮中添加青贮金针菇,处理1组(90%青贮金针菇,10%玉米秸秆),处理2组(90%青贮金针菇,9%玉米秸秆,1%尿素),处理3组(80%青贮金针菇,20%玉米秸秆),处理4组(80%青贮金针菇,19%玉米秸秆,1%尿素)。试验期分为2周适应期和1周数据收集期。饲粮中添加青贮金针菇较对照组显著提高了酸性洗涤木质素的摄入量(P<0.05);金针菇添加水平和尿素对干物质和其他营养素的摄入量无显著影响(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,在处理组日粮中添加青贮金针菇显著增加总短链脂肪酸(SCFA)和丙酸含量(P<0.05),但乙酸含量及乙酸与丙酸比值显著降低(P<0.05)。添加青贮金针菇和尿素对短链脂肪酸含量有显著影响(P<0.05)。日粮添加80%青贮金针菇和1%尿素时,乙酸浓度显著高于未添加尿素组(P<0.05);青贮金针菇日粮添加尿素显著降低了瘤胃丁酸含量(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,在日粮中添加青贮金针菇可显著降低瘤胃原生动物总数(P<0.05)。饲粮中添加青贮金针菇可导致荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃原生动物总数逐步减少(P<0.05)。青贮金针菇日粮组中螺旋体数量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。饲喂青贮金针菇的荷斯坦奶牛较对照组显著降低了甲烷排放量(P<0.05)。综上所述,用金针菇废弃底物与尿素、玉米秸秆混合日粮可以提高奶牛日粮的营养价值,日粮添加青贮金针菇显著降低了奶牛瘤胃原生动物种群和肠道甲烷排放量。     

Effect of rumen protected methionine supplementation on early lactational responses of dairy cows fed a grass silage and cereals diet.

To investigate the milk production limiting potential of a diet based on grass silage (40%), hay (15%), dried sugar beet pulp (13%) and grain compound mixture (32%), 28 multiparous cows in early lactation were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: a control group and a group receiving supplementary rumen protected methionine (RPMet) treatment (12 g intestinally available methionine/cow/day, given 1-120 days postpartum; Smartamine; RPAN's technology). The diet was formulated to meet the requirements for protein and net energy. RPMet supplementation had no significant effect on DMI (kg/cow/day), milk dry mass, milk lactose and milk urea contents. Responses for mean daily milk yield, mean milk fat and milk protein yields were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cows supplied with RPMet than in controls. Mean daily milk yield, milk protein and milk fat yields increased by 2.4 kg, 108 g and 124 g, respectively. The mean daily milk protein and casein contents were increased by 1.8 g and 0.9 g and milk fat content by 1.2 g in 1 kg of milk, respectively. The results suggest that in cows fed grass silage and a grain compound mixture milk production is limited by methionine insufficiency, but milk production performance can be increased significantly by the addition of RPMet to the diet.     

Strategic supplementation of cassava top silage to enhance rumen fermentation and milk production in lactating dairy cows in the tropics

High-quality protein roughage is an important feed for productive ruminants. This study examined the effects of strategic feeding of lactating cows with cassava (Manihot esculenta) top silage (CTS) on rumen fermentation, feed intake, milk yield, and quality. Four early lactating crossbred dairy cows (75% Holstein-Friesian and 25% Thai) with body weight (BW) 410?±?30 kg and milk yield 12?±?2 kg/day were randomly allotted in a 4?×?4 Latin square design to four different supplementation levels of CTS namely, 0, 0.75, 1.50, and 2.25 kg/day of dry matter (DM). Strategic supplementation of CTS significantly affected ruminal fermentation end-products, especially increased propionate production, decreased protozoal population and suppressed methane production (P?<?0.05). Increasing the CTS supplementation level substantially enhanced milk yield and the 3.5% FCM from 12.7 to 14.0 kg/day and from 14.6 to 17.2 kg/day (P?<?0.05) for non-supplemented group and for the 2.25 kg/day supplemented group, respectively. We conclude that high-quality protein roughage significantly enhances rumen fermentation end-products, milk yield, and quality in dairy cows.     

硫酸钠对奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响

本文旨在研究不同添加水平的硫酸钠对泌乳中期奶牛瘤胃发酵的影响。试验选用4头体重、胎次、产奶量均相近的荷斯坦奶牛,采用4×4拉丁方设计,试验分4个处理组,添加不同水平的硫酸钠,即0%(对照组)、0.4%(试验1组)、0.8%(试验2组)与1.2%(试验3组),试验分为4期,每期18 d(预试期15 d,正试期3 d)。结果表明:(1)饲粮中添加硫酸钠对瘤胃液pH、NH3-N平均浓度无显著影响(P>0.05);(2)饲粮中添加硫酸钠后,瘤胃内原虫数均有所提高,其中试验2组和试验3组与对照组相比均差异显著(P<0.05);(3)添加硫酸钠的试验2组瘤胃液菌体蛋白浓度与对照组相比显著提高(P<0.05)。结果说明,日粮中添加适量的硫酸钠可以改变瘤胃发酵环境,提高瘤胃液菌体蛋白浓度。     

甘露寡糖对泌乳早期奶牛瘤胃发酵及生产性能影响的研究

试验旨在研究甘露寡糖(mannan-oligosaccharides MOS)对泌乳早期奶牛瘤胃发酵及生产性能的影响。选择4头泌乳天数为20 d,日产奶量30 kg左右,体重550 kg左右的经产(二胎)中国荷斯坦泌乳奶牛,随机分为两组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组饲喂在基础日粮中添加60 g的试验日粮,采用2×2交叉试验设计,每期21 d。结果表明:添加甘露寡糖可以显著提高奶牛瘤胃中总的挥发酸和氨态氮的含量(P<0.05),其中瘤胃液中乙酸含量有极显著差异(P<0.01),丙酸、丁酸的含量无显著差异(P>0.05)。对奶样进行分析,添加甘露寡糖可以显著提高乳脂率(P<0.05),并且明显降低乳中体细胞数(P<0.05),产奶量、乳蛋白和乳中尿素氮浓度均无显著差异(P>0.05)。试验表明,在日粮中添加甘露寡糖有助于提高奶牛瘤胃乙酸发酵比例,提高奶牛乳脂率。     

花生秧与玉米青贮配比对奶牛生产性能、血液指标及氮素利用的影响

本试验旨在为合理利用花生秧及提高氮素利用率提供理论依据。选择产奶量一致、处于泌乳中期、体重相近、胎次相同的12头中产荷斯坦奶牛,分为3组,每组4个重复。根据3×3拉丁方试验设计,试验分3期进行,每期预饲15d,采样期6d。分别饲喂含有不同花生秧与玉米青贮配比的全混合日粮(TMR),3种TMR中花生秧与玉米青贮的干物质(DM)配比分别为1.0∶3.9(A组)、1.0∶1.2(B组)、1.0∶0.4(C组)。结果表明,1)花生秧与玉米青贮配比对中产荷斯坦奶牛的干物质采食量、生产性能及血液指标没有显著影响(P0.05);2)奶牛的各乳成分组成均没有显著性差异(P0.05),但随着花生秧比例的增加,牛奶体细胞数有降低的趋势,B组较A组的体细胞数下降了35.4%;3)随着日粮中花生秧添加比例的增加,经济效益有所提高;4)日粮B显著降低了粪氮占摄入氮的比例(P0.05)。花生秧与玉米青贮配比在1.0∶1.2时,奶牛氮素利用及经济效益效果最佳。     

不同水平的青贮饲料对饲喂稻草秸秆奶牛瘤胃微生物数量和微生物蛋白合成的影响

本试验的目的是确定饲粮中青贮银合欢添加水平对奶牛瘤胃微生物种群、氮平衡和微生物蛋白合成的影响。试验采用4×4拉丁方设计,选择12头初始体重为163±16 kg、带有瘤胃瘘管的奶牛,随机分为4个组,每组3个重复,每个重复1头牛。基础日粮以100%的水稻秸秆为原料,处理组分别用30%、60%和100%的青贮银合欢替代水稻秸秆,奶牛自由采食水稻秸秆和青贮银合欢,每天按照体重的0.2%补充浓缩料。结果表明,用60%青贮银合欢替代水稻秸秆组奶牛瘤胃微生物群,尤其是纤维素分解菌、蛋白分解菌和厌氧真菌的数量显著增加(P<0.05),各组对淀粉分解菌群无显著影响(P>0.05)。原生动物种群数量随日粮青贮银合欢添加水平的增加呈线性下降(P<0.05)(P<0.05)。此外,氮平衡和微生物蛋白合成均随着日粮青贮银合欢添加水平的升高而升高(P<0.05),其中以60%青贮银合欢组最高。结论:在本试验基础上,用60%青贮银合欢替代水稻秸秆可以显著提高奶牛体内的微生物数量和微生物蛋白的合成。     

不同瘤胃细菌培养物添加水平对奶牛瘤胃发酵及BCP含量的影响

本文旨在研究不同剂量的瘤胃细菌培养物对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃发酵及菌体蛋白(BCP)含量的影响。试验采用单因素试验设计,选用4头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管,体况相近的荷斯坦奶牛,取其瘤胃液混匀,添加不同剂量的瘤胃细菌培养物进行体外培养,分别为:对照组(0 CUF/g),试验Ⅰ组(添加量为3%,4.4×108CUF/g),试验Ⅱ组(添加量为5%,7.8×108CUF/g),试验Ⅲ组(添加量为10%,1.2×109CUF/g),每组分别设2、4、8、12、24、36、48 h 7个指标测定时间点,每个时间点3个重复。结果表明:(1)添加瘤胃细菌培养物使瘤胃液pH有所降低,但始终在6.5～7.0,对瘤胃内环境无不良影响;(2)添加3%的瘤胃细菌培养物显著降低氨态氮(NH3-N)的含量(P<0.05),显著增加了培养液BCP的浓度(P<0.05);(3)添加3%的瘤胃细菌培养物可一定程度增加总挥发性脂肪酸(TVFA)和乙酸浓度,但对其他各挥发性脂肪酸及乙酸/丙酸比值无显著影响。由此可见,添加3%剂量的瘤胃细菌培养物可改变瘤胃的发酵环境,提高BCP浓度。     

Studies on the use of lucerne silage source for high-milk-producing dairy cows

Studies on the use of lucerne silage as a forage source for high-yielding dairy cows. It was the main objective of this study to investigate effects of lucerne silage inclusion in maize silage-based rations on dry matter intake, milk yield and metabolic parameters of high yielding dairy cows. Three total mixed rations (TMR) were used. They contained as the main forage source on a dry matter basis 41.5% maize silage and 12% grass silage (ration maize) or 18% maize silage and 29% of either grass silage (ration grass) or lucerne silage (ration lucerne). Organic matter digestibility, determined with wether sheep, was 77 and 65% for the grass and the lucerne silage, respectively. Each TMR was fed to 4 wether sheep to determine crude nutrient digestibilities. The content of net energy for lactation (NEL), as calculated from digestible crude nutrients, was (MJ/kg dry matter (DM)): 7.1 (maize), 7.2 (grass) and 6.8 (lucerne). Based on the results of a chemical fractionation of crude protein it was calculated that the content of utilisable crude protein (nXP) was not below 167 g/kg DM and that the N balance in the rumen was not negative for all 3 TMR. The TMR were fed for 169 days to at least 28 dairy cows per treatment which were in their first half of lactation. Feed intake, milk performance data and physiological indicators were measured for each individual cow. The DM intake was significantly higher in treatment lucerne (23.2 kg/d) than in treatments grass (21.2 kg/d) and maize (22.6 kg/d). Daily intakes of NEL and nXP were significantly lower in treatment grass than in the other two treatments. Milk yield was significantly higher in treatment maize (41.7 kg/d) than in treatments grass (37.3 kg/d) and lucerne (38.5 kg/d). This was associated with a significantly lower milk fat content in treatment maize (3.5%) in comparison with the other two treatments (3.9% each). Milk protein content was unaffected by treatment (3.4% on average). Similarly, the acetone content of milk was not significantly different between treatments. The beta-hydroxybutyrate content of the deproteinized blood was significantly higher in treatment lucerne at start of lactation, but this difference disappeared in subsequent parts of the experimental period. Measurements of back fat thickness indicated mobilisation and retention of energy by cows during the experimental period to be similar in all treatments. It is concluded that lucerne silage is a suitable forage source for high yielding dairy cows in spite of its low digestibility.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products on performance and rumen fermentation and microbiota in dairy cows fed a diet containing low quality forage

Background: A possible option to meet the increased demand of forage for dairy industry is to use the agricultural byproducts, such as corn stover. However, nutritional value of crop residues is low and we have been seeking technologies to improve the value. A feeding trial was performed to evaluate the effects of four levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product(SCFP; Original XP; Diamond V) on lactation performance and rumen fermentation in mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows fed a diet containing low-quality forage. Eighty dairy cows were randomly assigned into one of four treatments: basal diet supplemented with 0, 60, 120, or 180 g/d of SCFP per head mixed with 180, 120, 60, or 0 g of corn meal, respectively. The experiment lasted for 10 wks, with the first 2 weeks for adaptation.Results: Dry matter intake was found to be similar(P 0.05) among the treatments. There was an increasing trend in milk production(linear, P ≤ 0.10) with the increasing level of SCFP supplementation, with no effects on contents of milk components(P 0.05). Supplementation of SCFP linearly increased(P 0.05) the N conversion, without affecting rumen pH and ammonia-N(P 0.05). Increasing level of SCFP linearly increased(P 0.05) concentrations of ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, and butyrate, with no difference in molar proportion of individual acids(P 0.05). The population of fungi and certain cel ulolytic bacteria(Ruminococcus albus, R. flavefaciens and Fibrobacter succinogenes)increased linearly(P 0.05) but those of lactate-utilizing(Selenomonas ruminantium and Megasphaera elsdeni) and lactate-producing bacteria(Streptococcus bovis) decreased linearly(P ≤ 0.01) with increasing level of SCFP. The urinary purine derivatives increased linearly(P 0.05) in response to SCFP supplementation, indicating that SCFP supplementation may benefit for microbial protein synthesis in the rumen.Conclusions: The SCFP supplementation was effective in maintaining milk persistency of mid-lactation cows receiving diets containing low-quality forage. The beneficial effect of SCFP could be attributed to improved rumen function; 1)microbial population shift toward greater rumen fermentation efficiency indicated by higher rumen fungi and cel ulolytic bacteria and lower lactate producing bacteria, and 2) rumen microbial fermentation toward greater supply of energy and protein indicated by greater ruminal VFA concentration and increased N conversion. Effects of SCFP were dose-depended and greater effects being observed with higher levels of supplementation and the effect was more noticeable during the high THI environment.     

SARA状态下瘤胃产生的LPS对奶牛乳腺组织细胞凋亡的影响

本试验采用12头泌乳中期的荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为两组,每组6只。其中一组饲喂低精料日粮,即日粮中含有40%的精料和60%的粗料,精粗比为4∶6,作为对照(LC)组;另外一组饲喂高精料日粮,精粗比为6∶4,作为试验(HC)组。试验周期为18周,试验开始前为所有奶牛安装瘤胃瘘管,试验后期采集瘤胃液,乳动脉、静脉血和乳腺组织样品,测定瘤胃液p H值和LPS含量、血浆中LPS含量、乳腺组织细胞中凋亡相关基因如caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9、bax和bcl-2等的表达、凋亡相关蛋白酶的活性和NF-κB通路中的蛋白表达。结果显示:长期高精料饲喂使奶牛瘤胃p H值均值降低,一天中p H值低于5.6的时间超过3 h;高精料组血浆和瘤胃液中LPS含量均极显著高于低精料组(P0.01);高精料组caspase-3的基因表达显著高于低精料组(P0.05),而bcl-2的基因表达显著低于低精料组(P0.05);高精料组caspase-3和caspase-8的酶活性相比于低精料组都显著升高(P0.01);高精料组NF-κB p65和磷酸化的NF-κB p65的蛋白表达量均显著高于低精料组(P0.05)。     

Oat silage for grazing dairy cows in small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of central Mexico

The objective was to evaluate the provision of oat silage (Avena sativa) to supplement grazing dairy cows on pastures of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), festulolium (Lolium multiflorum × Festuca pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) during the dry season when pasture growth is limited. The experimental design was a 3 × 3 Latin square replicated three times, with nine milking Holstein cows (mean live weight 496.2 ± 33.6 kg and daily milk yield 14.8 ± 2.8 kg cow^?1) under on-farm participatory rural research. Experimental periods were 14 d. Simulated grazing samples of pasture herbage were analysed for chemical composition, sward height recorded and net herbage accumulation determined from exclusion cages. Treatments were the inclusion of oat silage at T0 = 0 kg DM cow^?1 d^?1 of oat silage, T3 = 3 kg DM cow^?1 d^?1 of oat silage, and T6 = 6 kg DM cow^?1 d^?1 of oat silage, plus 5.0 kg fresh weight commercial concentrate and 9 h of continuous grazing. Animal variables were milk yield and composition, live weight and body condition score. Feeding costs were calculated. Mean milk yield was 18.9 ± 0.27 kg cow^?1 d^?1 with no differences in animal variables (p > 0.05), but feeding costs per kilogram milk increased 25% for T3 and 50% for T6. Oat silage supplementation is only viable under difficult grazing conditions.     

不同添加剂对低水分紫花苜蓿青贮品质的影响

研究了不同添加剂(麸皮、红糖、甲酸、乙酸、乳酸菌制剂等)对含水量控制在40%~45%的全株紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)青贮饲料质量的影响。青贮90d后,对开封后的青贮饲料进行了感官评定及实验室测定,探讨了低水分紫花苜蓿青贮过程中发酵品质的变化及添加剂对其影响。结果表明:经添加剂处理的低水分紫花苜蓿,发酵品质均有不同程度的提升,其pH及氨态氮含量降低。芯来旺I号,max200和红糖对低水分紫花苜蓿青贮饲料的发酵品质和营养价值有明显改善,在90d的短期青贮中,是适宜进行低水分紫花苜蓿青贮饲料生产的高效添加剂。芯来旺I号作为青贮添加剂在此次试验中效果最佳,甲酸最差,而麸皮作为青贮添加剂的适宜剂量有待进一步讨论。     

瘤/胃/反/刍/月/形/单/胞/菌/的/分/离/鉴/定

反刍月形单胞菌（Selenomonas ruminantium）是瘤胃内一种主要的乳酸发酵菌，约占瘤胃细菌总数的50％以上，研究表明，在反刍兽饲喂大量粗饲料时，主要通过该菌作用经琥珀酸脱羧途径生成丙酸嘲。反刍动物体内90％的葡萄糖是经肝糖异生供给的，其中生糖先质丙酸经肝糖异生生成的葡萄糖约占50％～60％。运用微生态理论，调控瘤胃微生物发酵产生丙酸的比例，可缓解和纠正围产期奶牛的能量负平衡，防治酮病、脂肪肝等能量代谢性疾病的发生。     

Apparent ruminal degradation and rumen escape of soluble nitrogen fractions in grass and grass silage administered intraruminally to lactating dairy cows

The main objective of this study was to investigate in vivo ruminal degradation and rumen escape of soluble N fractions in grass and grass silage. Soluble protein and long-chain peptides (PLP), small peptides (SP) and free AA (FAA) were obtained from fresh grass and grass silages fertilized with different levels of N. Soluble extracts from the forages were pulse dosed into the rumen of three cannulated lactating dairy cows, and a simple or complex model was used to examine the kinetics of the soluble N fractions in the rumen. When soluble extracts from silage were investigated, pulse dosages of total nonammonia N (NAN) were 21, 27, and 32 g, while for fresh grass only dosages of 20 g were ruminally administered. In the silage extracts, mean proportions of PLP-N, SP-N, and FAA-N in the NAN were 30, 52, and 18%, respectively, whereas in the fresh grass the corresponding values were 67, 20, and 13%. From silage extracts, all three soluble N fractions showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in degradation rate and an increase (P < 0.05) in ruminal escape with increasing dosage. In silage, mean degradation rates, parameterized from the complex model, were 230, 214, and 334%/h for PLP-N, SP-N, and FAA-N, respectively, and the ruminal escape was highest (P < 0.05) for SP-N (11.2% of dose) and lowest (P < 0.05) for FAA-N (5.0% of dose). No differences in degradation rate and ruminal escape between fresh grass and silage were observed. However, the proportion of N dose converted to ammonia was only 24% in the fresh grass, whereas for the silages a mean value of 76% was found. From this study, it is concluded that a significant amount of dietary soluble N escapes ruminal degradation, and thus contributes to the intestinal AA supply. Moreover, if the main aim is to study degradation kinetics of individual N fractions, a complex model should be used in the evaluation. This model can also be used to study ruminal synchronization of N and energy for microbial growth.