The Effects of Acid Treatment and Particle Size on Degradability Parameters of Canola meal and Alfalfa Hay in Rumen

This experiment carried out in order to determine the effects of chemical treatments and particle size on ruminal degradability parameters of canola meal and alfalfa hay. In this experiment, two head of zell ewes with 30±2 Kg body weight were used which surgically fitted with ruminal cannulas. Samples were placed in nylon bags and then incubated in the rumen at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 36, 48, 72 and 96 hours that fed with the ration including of alfalfa hay and barley grain in 75:25 ratio (based on dry matter). Data obtained from this experiment were analyzed as factorial arrangement with completely randomized design. Ruminal degradability of Canola meal and alfalfa hay dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber parameters, significantly affected by acid levels (0 and 5%), particle size (long and fine) and interaction between treatments. Also, these parameters for alfalfa hay affected by forage particle size. Use of acid and different particle size, decreased potentially degradable protein and degradability rate of canola meal and alfalfa hay dry matter following by decrease of alfalfa particle size in rumen. Also, use of acid, increased NDF degradability of canola meal in rumen, nevertheless following by decrease of alfalfa forage particle size, NDF degradability decreased. The results of CP degradability showed that CP degradability of treated canola meal, decreased significantly in the rumen. By decreasing of particle size of alfalfa, CP degradability significantly decreased.