Effect of bran diet on organic acids in the gastrointestinal tract and apparent digestibility in weanling piglets

Over a period of four weeks 88 piglets of an average weaning weight of 9.5 kg received rations with 2.1, 3.1 and 5.5% crude fibre in the original substance in the form of wheat bran. Between the 42nd and 49th day of life a digestibility investigation was carried out by means of Cr2O3, and on the 42nd and the 63rd day of life the organic acids in the complete gastro-intestinal tract could be ascertained, the causes of which are to be found in the lack of easily soluble carbohydrates (increased passage rate, bran quota). Due to crude fibre, the apparent digestibility of all nutrients decreased, which resulted in a lower live weight on the 63rd day of life. The effect of a bran diet in the alimentary prophylaxis of coli enterotoxaemia is thus furthermore substantiated.     

The effect of dietary fibre on feed intake and growth in beagle puppies.

We studied the growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio of groups of female Beagle puppies fed 16% or 22% crude protein rations to which 6% or 12% wheat bean was added at the expense of the total diet. The final neutral detergent fibre concentrations were 12%, 16%, 22% and 23% (dry matter basis). The addition of wheat bran to puppy rations, bringing the neutral detergent fibre up to 16% in a 21% crude protein diet had no deleterious effects on feed intake, feed and protein efficiency or growth in Beagle puppies. Over a sufficiently long period of time, the growth of this group did not differ from that of the controls (12% neutral detergent fibre, 23% crude protein) although it was higher at intermediate times. The effects of the high fibre (22 or 23% neutral detergent fibre) diets on growth, feed intake feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio are consistent with an energy deficit resulting from the animals' inability to adapt fully to the dilution of their rations leading to lower growth, less efficient use of feed and, in the case of group 3 (22% crude protein, 22% neutral detergent fibre), a lower protein efficiency ratio. The protein efficiency ratio of group 4 (16% crude protein, 23% neutral detergent fibre) was higher than that of group 3, most likely the result of a more limiting amount of dietary protein leading to a more efficient use for growth by the animal. We have concluded that intermediate levels of neutral detergent fibre (up to 16%) were not deleterious even in puppy rations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

米糠日粮添加粗酶制剂对肉雏鸭生长性能、消化和代谢机能的影响

两系列实验研究米糠基础日粮（含米糠４０％）添加不同剂量的粗酶制剂对肉雏鸭生长性能、消化和代谢机能的影响。结果表明，米糠日粮添加０．１％的粗酶制剂对肉雏鸭生长性能影响较小，但可以显著降低小肠和胰腺的相对重量及血液尿酸和血糖水平，使ＩＧＦ－Ｉ水平提高近２倍（Ｐ＜０．０１）。而添加０．４％的粗酶制剂可以获得较好的增重效果，并且显著提高饲料转化率，以及降低小肠和胰腺的相对重量、血液尿酸及血糖水平。在相同蛋白质及能量水平的条件下，米糠对照组的生长性能并不比玉米对照组差，提示米糠日粮对肉鸭不具有明显的抗营养作用，但添加适量粗酶制剂可改善其生长机能     

日粮精料中麸皮比例对西门塔尔杂交后备母牛日粮营养物质消化率的影响

文章旨在采用消化试验研究肉牛日粮精料中麸皮比例对日粮营养物质表观消化率的影响。试验选取体况良好、体重一致(369.5 kg±37.8 kg)的杂交后备母牛(西门塔尔牛(♂)×中国黄牛(♀))24头,随机分为6组,即试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组、Ⅳ组、Ⅴ组和Ⅵ组,每组4头,分别定量饲喂6种不同麸皮水平的精料日粮(3.5kg/d),粗料(青贮)自由采食;各试验组精料麸皮水平分别为0%、10%、20%、30%、40%和50%;预饲期20 d,试验期30 d,试验最后7 d收集全部粪样。结果表明:日粮精料中麸皮水平对日粮有机物(OM)、粗蛋白质、淀粉和中性洗涤纤维(NDF)的消化道表观消化率没有显著影响(P>0.05),不同麸皮水平日粮的OM、CP、淀粉和NDF的消化道表观消化率变化范围分别为49.40%～55.52%、48.56%～53.90%、88.87%～93.29%、48.11%～57.91%。     

Digestibility and nitrogen retention of diets containing different levels of fibre in local (Mong Cai), F1 (Mong Cai x Yorkshire) and exotic (Landrace x Yorkshire) growing pigs in Vietnam

Total tract digestibility and nitrogen retention of three diets containing different levels of fibre [200, 260 and 320 g/kg neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in dry matter] were determined in three breeds of growing pig at an initial age of approximately 3.5 months. The breeds were local (Mong Cai, MC), F1 crossbred (MC x Yorkshire) and exotic (Landrace x Yorkshire, LY), allocated at random within breed (block) to double 3 x 3 Latin squares. The main fibrous ingredients of the experimental diets were rice bran, cassava residue meal and non-dehulled groundnut cake meal. Digestibility of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), NDF, crude fibre, gross energy (GE) and ether extract (EE) decreased as the level of dietary NDF increased (p < 0.001). The r(2) values for the relationship between NDF level and digestibility of OM, CP, GE and EE were 83%, 83%, 80% and 82% respectively. On average, an increase in NDF content of 1% unit resulted in a decrease in OM, CP, GE and EE digestibility of 0.67%, 0.75%, 0.50% and 0.42% units respectively. Digestibility of energy and nutrients was the highest for MC and the lowest for LY (p < 0.01), with intermediate values for F1. There was a negative effect of NDF level on nitrogen (N) retained as a proportion of intake (p < 0.05). Nitrogen retention and utilization were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for LY than for MC and F1 pigs.     

The energy metabolism of swine at a feed level of "live weight equilibrium"

10 castrated pigs each of a live weight (LW) of 35 kg and 115 kg were fed over 28 and 40 days resp. in a way that a live weight equilibrium was achieved. The pigs were kept individually and at a low mobility on perforated floors of zinc-plated sheet iron at an air temperature of 19 degrees C. The weighing 35 kg received 668 kJ ME/kg LW 0.75 per day and one half of the animals weighing 115 kg 635 kJ ME/kg LW 0.75 in a diet consisting of barley and bran. The other half of the animals weighing 115 kg received 514 kJ ME/kg LW 0.75 per day in a ration consisting barley, bran and dried skim milk. The crude protein content of the rations was 12.6 and 17.1% resp. of the DM, the crude fibre content amounted to 8-10% of the DM. Energy excretion in faeces and urine was calorimetrically measured. Up to the end of the experiment LW and the weight of the empty body (without ingesta) remained unchanged. For the measuring of energy retention, 4-5 zero animals each were analysed before the experiments. The pigs weighing 35 kg showed a daily loss of 39 g fat in the course of the 40-day experiment. The calculation of the energy balance showed that an intake of 790 kJ ME/kg LW 0.75 was necessary. This maintenance requirement, rather high in comparison with values from literature, can be explained with the emission of body heat on sheet iron floors and a crude fibre content of 9% in the rations. The pigs of the two groups of 115 kg LW were at an energy equilibrium at both nutrition levels. The lower maintenance requirement of the group fed with dried skim milk cannot exclusively be explained by the higher energetic utilization of the milk protein in the ration. The reason should be the more advanced age of the animals of the milk group. Although they had nearly the same live weight, their empty bodies contained 41% fat, the pigs of the barley/bran group, however, only 34%, both before and after the experiment.     

Investigations of the digestibility of proximate composition in commercial palm kern meal in broiler chick rations

The digestibility for crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, ash and nitrogen-free extract were determined for palm kernel meal samples. The test diets, identified as DA, DB and DI, were formulated to contain 10%, 20% and 40% palm kernel meal, respectively. With the exception of crude fibre and crude protein the digestibility of the nutrients of the diets decreased significantly as the dietary fibre content increased.     

Comparison of the guaranteed analysis with the measured nutrient composition of commercial pet foods

The purpose of this study was to compare the guaranteed analysis of commercial pet foods to their measured nutrient concentrations. Data were collected regarding the guaranteed and measured concentrations of crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, moisture and ash of pet foods from annual feed inspection reports from South Dakota (2003–2005), Indiana (2004–2005), Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey (2005–2006). The difference for each nutrient was compared among types of food (dry, canned or treat), intended species, target life‐stages, manufacturers and reporting laboratories. Significant differences between the guaranteed and measured nutrient concentrations were found. For all foods, the mean ± one standard deviation of the difference was 1.5 ± 2.0% for crude protein, 1.0 ± 1.7% for crude fat, ‐0.7 ± 1.3% for crude fibre, ‐4.0 ± 3.3% for moisture, and ‐0.5 ± 1.0% for ash. The difference in crude protein was significantly greater for treats than for other food types. The difference in crude fat was significantly less for dry foods than for other food types. The differences in crude fibre and moisture were significantly less for canned foods than for other food types. Only the differences in crude fibre differed significantly among target species, life‐stages, manufacturers or laboratories. More accurate estimations of the nutrient composition and calculated metabolizable energy content of commercial pet foods can be obtained by making adjustments to the guaranteed analysis. This includes adding 1.5% and 1% to the guaranteed minimums for crude protein and crude fat, respectively, and subtracting 0.7%, 4% and 0.5% from the guaranteed maximums for crude fibre, moisture and ash, respectively.     

The use of partly-hydrolyzed straw meal in the feeding of weaned piglets. 3. The concentration of several parameters of protein, fat, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism in the blood serum during the use of rations with different portions of partly-hydrolyzed straw meal

Rations containing varied quotas of partly hydrolysed straw meal (PHS) were provided in mixtures of concentrate and straw meal, and selected parameters of the protein, fat, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism were registered in the blood serum at intervals (2nd and 8th week of keeping) in studies with weaned piglets of the country species. In a parallel experiment the straw hydrolysis product was provided without or after neutralization (with CaCO3) in quotas of 5, 10 and 15% in the mixed feed in comparison to the sole feeding of concentrate. Only some out of the total of 16 parameters ascertained in the blood serum showed reactions of the intermediary metabolism in the test groups caused by feeding. In general, straw crude fibre integration decreased the cholesterol level in the blood serum. Urea concentration in the blood decreased with the growing quota of PHS in the feed mixture. Deviations from the norm of various metabolites, which were mainly reflected in the period near weaning (2nd week of keeping) in an increased concentration of free glycerol and urea in the blood serum, could predominantly be registered after the sole feeding of concentrate. On the whole, there were thus certain interactions with growth performance, which clearly advocate the use of quotas of 10% of the hydrolysed straw product in the feed mixture.     

以常规成分为变量估测饲料中必需氨基酸含量的初步探讨

本文探讨了玉米、小麦、高粱、豆饼(粕)、菜籽饼(粕)、花生饼(粕)、国产鱼粉、小麦麸、米糠、米糠饼、米糠粕、苜蓿草粉、大豆、黑大豆、蚕豆、豌豆的粗蛋白、粗纤维、粗脂肪和粗灰分与必需氨基酸的多元回归方程和粗蛋白与必需氨基酸之间的一元回归方程。一元回归方程估测误差(RSD)略高于多元回归方裎估测误差,但相关程度两者基本一致。方差分析表明,玉米、小麦、花生饼(粕)、国产鱼粉、小麦麸、米糠、苜蓿草粉、黑大豆、大豆、蚕豆、豌豆的常规成分与必需氨基酸含量存在显著的相关关系(P<0.05);大麦、高粱、米糠饼(粕)和菜籽饼(粕)常规成分与苯丙氨酸、组氧酸、精氨酸等必需氨基酸存在显著扣关关系(P<0.05),与赖氨酸、亮氨酸、蛋氨酸等必需氨基酸不存在相关关系(P>0.05);豆饼(粕)常规成分与必需氨基酸不存在相关关系。利用朱参加计算的玉米和小麦麸样品数据资料比较了粗蛋白与必需氨基酸之间的一元回归方程估测值、按粗蛋白递增比例计算值和实测值之间的差异。表明用回归方程估测较按粗蛋白质递增比例推算,更接近于实际测定值,具有显著相关关系的回归方程应用于生产以估测某些必需氨基酸含量是可行的。     

The significance of fiber for swine nutrition with special reference to HCl-treated straw meal

The term crude fibre according to the Weend analysis method is insufficient for the nutrition of pigs as it does not comprise pentosanes. During the cooking process they are hydrolysed with diluted acid and do not remain in the crude fibre fraction. As stomach HCl can also hydrolyse pentosane (probably in shorter chains), they are well utilized by the microorganisms in the digestive tract (production of volatile fatty acids). Cereal bran and straw meal contain a particularly high quota of pentosanes in their fibre. The fibre fraction of the plant materials fulfills several functions in the digestive tract: absorption of water at the hydroxyl groups of cellulose and hemicellulose (higher absorption capacity of the digesta and improved passage rate); formation of volatile fatty acids (VFA) by the intestinal bacteria due to the fermentation of pentosanes and cellulose (positive influence of VFA on the mucosa of the intestinal walls); absorption of protein decomposition products (including amines) in the cavities of native plant scaffold substances and absorption of aromatic toxic substances (tyramine, phenol, cresol, tryptamine, indole, skatole, histamine etc.) in the lignin by means of VAN DER WAALS forces and further transport of the toxic substances until they are excreted in faeces. HCl treated straw meal is either a mixture of HCl and straw meal at a ratio of 20 kg half concentrated HCl (17% HCl) and 100 kg straw meal with or without heat treatment (steaming for ca. 30 min). The unsteamed product is called HCl straw meal, the steamed product partly hydrolysed straw meal (PHS). 5-10% HCl--straw meal was successfully used in the rearing of piglets after weaning. In addition to the above-mentioned significance of the scaffold substances for the digestive tract, the HCl improved the pH status in the stomach and the upper region of the small intestine. PHS neutralized with CaCO3 (up to pH 6-7) is suitable for breeding sows, boars, young sows and fattening pigs. PSM contains 25% reducing substances (reducing sugars) in the DM and serves the intestinal bacteria in the production of VFA. In the feeding of breeding sows in the phase of gestation 20-30% of the DM intake could be covered by PSM. The number of viable and rearable piglets was significantly higher than after conventional feeding. HCl--SM and PSM also provide advantages with regard to hygiene. They are not congested by fungi and can well be stored without neutralization.     

稻壳和麦麸对鲜玉米秸秆青贮品质的影响

为更好地利用稻壳和麦麸,本试验将2者与新鲜玉米（Zea mays L.）秸秆按不同比例混合青贮,发酵60天后测定其青贮品质和营养成分,以期筛选出混贮的最佳比例。结果表明,与鲜玉米秸秆单独青贮（对照）相比,麦麸和鲜玉米秸秆混合青贮的干物质、可溶性碳水化合物和粗蛋白含量均显著提高（P<0.05）,但丁酸含量超过1%,发酵品质较差;与对照相比,稻壳与鲜玉米秸秆混合青贮的粗蛋白、可溶性碳水化合物含量和氨态氮/总氮的值均显著下降（P<0.05）;稻壳、麦麸与鲜玉米秸秆混合青贮的发酵品质与对照相当,但干物质含量显著提高（P<0.05）,且M1F1（5%麦麸+10%稻壳+85%鲜玉米秸秆）处理的Kaiser法评分最高。因此,建议将麦麸、稻壳和鲜玉米秸秆按5∶10∶85的鲜重比混合青贮。     

The use of a partly-hydrolysed straw meal in the feeding of weaned piglets. 2. Concentration and production of volatile fatty acids in the large intestine by the use of test rations with various portions of straw

The ad libitum influence of various quotas of partly hydrolysed straw meal (PHSM) on the fermentation and production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the colon in the measuring periods 2nd and 8th weeks of keeping was checked within a feeding experiment with weaned piglets of the country species (42nd-98th day of life; 1st-8th week of keeping). The straw hydrolysis product was fed in a parallel experiment without or after neutralization with CaCO3 in quotas of, 5, 10 and 15% related to dry matter in comparison to the feeding of sole concentrate feed. The measuring in the 2nd week of keeping (adaptation phase) was blurred by the diarrhea in the groups with regard to the concentration, production and molar proportion of VFA. The concentration and production quota of VFA was diminished and the C2:C3 relation as well as the molar quota of branched-chain fatty acids increased in the comparison of the groups above all under the feeding conditions of the sole use of concentrate and--less distinctly--of quotas of 5% PHSM (insufficient dietetic effect) in the feed mixture. Measuring in the 8th week, in which diarrhea did not play a role in any of the groups, showed a significant, ration specific influence on the fermentation pattern of VFA. With the increasing quota of PHSM in the feed mixture (x) a significantly positive relation with the molar acetate quota (y) could be calculated (y = 52.6 + 0.36x;r = 0.50). The C2:C3 relation after sole concentrate feeding rose to 2.6:1 at a 15% PHSM integration. In this, the molar increase of acetate was predominantly linked with a decrease of the butyrate and valerate quotas. A falling tendency of the molar iso-acid quota in the colon digesta was registered with the growing straw quota in the feed mixture. The daily production quota of VFA varied in the measuring period in the 8th week of keeping between 400 and 800 mmol/animal.d without an ascertainable influence of the crude fibre quota of the straw. In comparative calculations with other test results, however, a significant positive correlation between the daily intake of digestible organic matter and the production of VFA in the large intestine could be proved.     

The feeding of differently treated straw materials to piglets after various weaning times. 2. Fatty acids in the large intestine and parameters of protein, fat, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism in the blood serum during the feeding of untreated, HCl-treated and partly-hydrolysed straw meal

In feeding experiments with piglets of the country species variously treated straw materials were used in concentrate--straw meal mixtures after the traditional weaning date (49th day of life) and studies were made of the fermentation of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the large intestine (colon) and of the concentration of selected parameters of the protein, fat, carbohydrate and mineral metabolism in the blood serum of the animals. The concentrate--straw mixtures with a 10% straw quota contained untreated (II), HCl treated (HCl treatment without steaming, without (III) and with neutralization, IV) as well as partly hydrolysed straw meal (HCl treatment with subsequent steaming, without (V) and with neutralization with CaCO3, VI) were tested in comparison with sole feeding of concentrate (I) and its combination with wheat bran (VII). With regard to the fermentation processes in the large intestine in a comparison of the feeding groups (I-VII) the highest concentration and production quota of VFA was registered in I and the lowest in II. The straw treatment variants (III, IV, V and VI) took a medium position with regard to this and did not differ from each other. After their application of a significant increase in the molar acetate quota was ascertained in comparison with the sole feeding of concentrate (I), which was also characteristic of the other crude fibre sources (II and VII) and was reflected in the extension of the C2: C3 relation. Only few of the total of 15 selected parameters in the blood serum showed reactions of the intermediary metabolism of the test groups caused by feeding. The decrease of the urea concentration in the serum after the feeding of the treated straw materials (III, IV, V and VI) is particularly remarkable. In general, the urea concentration in the serum was negatively related to growth performance of the test groups. The use of HCl treated straw materials (III-VI) proved to be advantageous in comparison to the sole feeding of concentrate (I) and the use of other crude fibre sources (untreated straw meal (II) and wheat bran, VII) in the feeding regime of the keeping stage 'weaned pigs'.     

Performance of growing pigs fed diets based on by-products of maize and wheat processing

Forty-eight crossbred Landrace?×?Large white pigs with an average body weight of 8.5?±?0.4 kg and aged 2 months were used to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of pigs fed two diets in which bran from maize or wheat was used as the energy source. A third diet based on whole maize grain was used as a control. Animals in groups of four, balanced for litter, sex and weight were allotted to dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with four replications. Data were collected on feed intake and weight gain for a period of 4 months. A digestibility trial was carried at the end of the feeding trial using two male pigs per treatment while six pigs per treatment were randomly selected for slaughter to determine carcass characteristics. Daily gain averaged 0.23, 0.31 and 0.13 kg/day, for pigs fed maize bran, wheat bran and whole maize diets, respectively. Average feed intake and final body weight were significantly (P?<?0.05) affected by diets. Digestibility of dry matter, crude fibre and calcium were higher (P?<?0.05) for pigs fed maize bran while crude protein digestibility was highest (P?<?0.05) for the pigs fed wheat bran. There were significant differences (P?<?0.05) between the diets in carcass yield, ham, head, trotters and heart weights and also for rib weight, rib eye muscle and other tissues. This study indicates that comparable performance of growing pigs fed cereal bran and full-grain diets are real.     

混菌固态发酵麸皮条件优化及离体消化研究

试验选用不同比例组合的枯草芽孢杆菌、酵母菌及乳酸菌（Lactobacillus B 和Lactobacillus W）,经固态发酵筛选发酵麸皮的最优条件,并通过提取草鱼肠道不同部位的消化酶液对最优发酵麸皮进行离体消化研究。以未发酵麸皮作为对照组,依据接种菌种及其比例设6个试验组,每组3个重复进行固态发酵,测定发酵麸皮的酸度、菌落数及粗蛋白质含量,筛选出最优发酵组;利用草鱼肠道提取消化酶液,对未发酵麸皮和最优发酵麸皮进行离体消化,测定干物质、粗蛋白质的消化率及氨基酸的含量。结果表明,试验3组发酵麸皮的粗蛋白质含量最高,为23.67%,与未发酵组相比提高了56.56%;且菌落数在96 h达到7.8×10⁸ CFU/g,明显高于其他试验组,而酸度呈先下降后上升的变化趋势,故筛选出试验3组为最优发酵组。未发酵麸皮组和最优发酵麸皮组的粗蛋白质、干物质消化率及氨基酸含量均以前肠最高,中肠次之,后肠最低,且最优发酵麸皮组体外消化率均显著高于未发酵麸皮组（P＜0.05）。经营养成分分析和离体消化研究发现,发酵麸皮具有较高的营养价值和消化率,可部分替代蛋白饲料。     

添加纤维素酶与藜麦麸皮及小麦麸皮对台湾红藜青贮的影响

为研究纤维素酶与藜麦(Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)麸皮及小麦(Triticum aestivum L.)麸皮对台湾红藜(Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.)青贮发酵品质的影响,本试验设对照组(CK)、纤维素酶组(0.5 g·kg-1鲜草,A1)、纤维素酶(0.5 g·kg...     

近红外光谱分析技术在小麦麸的饲料营养价值评定上的应用

<正> 前言 随着集约化饲养业及配合饲料工业的迅速发展,对饲料营养价值评定手段的精度和效率提出了愈来愈高的要求。近几十年来常规化学分析技术有了一系列突破,在手段简化、试剂节约以及自动化方面都取得了许多卓有成效的进展。但是所有方法都还需要对饲料样品进行破坏性的预处理及经过相应的测试程序;对饲料营养价值的评定则还需要通过试验动物。由于这些条件的限制,在分析某一饲料时,一般只能采取压缩样品量,     

不同青贮处理对苦荞麦品质及营养成分的影响

目的：研究不同青贮处理对荞麦秸秆的感官性状及营养品质的影响。方法：将不同比例的玉米面、米糠、糖蜜和玉米秸秆加入荞麦秸秆中混合青贮,从感官、pH值、氨态氮和营养成分等方面进行分析评价。结果：与对照组相比,各处理组均不同程度地改善了青贮品质。从pH值和氨态氮含量来看,30%混合玉米青贮组效果最好;4%米糠组的粗蛋白（5.74%）含量显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05);5%糖蜜组和30%混合玉米青贮组的粗脂肪含量显著低于其他三个处理组(P<0.05)。结论：综合比较感官性状和营养品质,5%糖蜜和4%米糠处理条件下,青贮品质总体效果较好,是荞麦秸秆饲用前处理的可行途径之一。     

The particulate passage rate,nutrient composition and fermentation characteristics across gastrointestinal tracts in lactating dairy cows fed three different forage source diets

This study was conducted to investigate the particulate passage rate, nutrient characteristics and fermentation parameters across the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in lactating dairy cows fed cereal straws in comparison with alfalfa hay. Eighteen multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets consisting of 55% concentrate, 15% corn silage and 30% different forage sources as follows (% of dry matter [DM]): (i) 23% alfalfa hay and 7% Chinese wild rye hay (AH); (ii) 30% corn stover (CS); and (iii) 30% rice straw (RS). The Cr‐mordanted corn silage‐neutral detergent fibre was used to estimate the passage flow at week 14. After 14‐week feeding, the animals were slaughtered to collect the gastrointestinal digesta. Dietary forage sources had little effect on the fractional passage rates in the rumen (range from 5.05 to 6.25%/hr) or hindgut (range from 4.49 to 5.24%/hr). Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in the caecum was highest, followed by the rumen, colon and rectum, and the lowest in the abomasum and duodenum, indicating that the large intestines, especially caecum, are the important positions for carbohydrate degradation. Greater proportion of propionate and butyrate and lower acetate were found in the AH compared to CS or RS in colon, but higher acetate in abomasum was found in the cows fed CS or RS compared to AH. In conclusion, cereal straw diets did not change the particulate passage rate in the rumen and hindgut which might be mainly due to the similar DM intake among these three diets. Different forage source diets significantly changed VFA proportion in the abomasum and colon, indicating the existence of different digestion or absorption rates in these tracts among the experimental diets.