Abstract :
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maturity stage on the chemical composition, gas production, organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME) and relative feed value (RFV) content of canola hay (Brassica napus L.). Gas production were determined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and their kinetics were described using the equation y=a+b(1- e-ct). Maturity had a significant effect on the chemical composition, gas production, OMD, ME and RFV content of canola hay. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADF) contents of canola hay increased with increasing maturity whereas the crude protein (CP), ME, OMS, DDM ve NYD contents decreased. As a result, it was concluded that canola hay will provide more CP, ME and OMD for ruminants when harvested at vegetative and flowering stage.
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Canola hay , chemical composition , nutritive value , gas production , relative feed value
