FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / The effect of harvest time of forage on carbohydrate digesti...
Journal of animal science2022; 101; skac422; doi: 10.1093/jas/skac422

The effect of harvest time of forage on carbohydrate digestion in horses quantified by in vitro and mobile bag techniques.

Abstract: Carbohydrates in forages constitute an important part of the feed ration for all horses. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of harvest time on carbohydrate composition and digestion of various grass species. The experiment was divided into three parts 1) characterization of the chemical composition of experimental feeds (6 grass species: meadow fescue [MF], cocksfoot [CF], perennial ryegrass [PR], smooth bromegrass [SB], tall fescue [TF], and timothy [TI], and 3 harvest times: early, medium, and late first cut), 2) measurements of the in vitro digestion of selected experimental feeds (the 6 grass species, and 2 harvest times [early and late]) measured by in vitro gas production, and 3) in vivo digestion of selected experimental feeds (2 grass species: CF and PR, 2 harvest times [early and late]) measured by the mobile bag technique using caecum cannulated horses. An experimental field was established with plots containing each of the grass species in three replicate blocks. Grass samples were cut between 1200 and 1400 h at 4th of June (early first cut), 17th of June (medium first cut), and 1st of July (late first cut) and analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber with heat stable amylase and free of residual ash (aNDFom) and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). The in vitro fermentation was investigated using the ANKOM RF gas production technique, where feeds were incubated for 48 h using horse caecal fluid as an inoculum. Gas production was modeled, and maximum gas production (MGP) was used to evaluate the potential digestibility of the feeds. Based on the chemical analyses and the in vitro experiment, early and late harvested CF and PR were selected for the in vivo experiment, which was conducted as a randomized 4 × 4 Latin square design including four periods, four horses and four feeds. In general, the CP content decreased whereas the aNDFom content increased as the grasses matured. The content of WSC increased in SB and TI, but decreased in CF, and fructans increased in SB, TI, PR, and TF as they matured. The in vitro MGP showed a clearer difference between harvest times than between grass species. Harvest time had larger effect on digestibility than grass species, and a high precaecal disappearance of the WSC fraction was measured by the mobile bag technique. Cocksfoot was identified as a grass species with potentially low digestibility and low WSC content and could potentially be used more for horses. Feedstuffs contain different carbohydrate fractions that are digested in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract of horses. Grass for grazing or harvesting contains variable amounts of structural carbohydrates such as cellulose and hemi-cellulose (named fibres) and nonstructural carbohydrates which in temperate grass species include sugars and fructans (named water soluble carbohydrates (WSC)). This study quantified carbohydrate composition and digestion of six grass species (perennial ryegrass, timothy, smooth bromegrass, tall fescue, cocksfoot, and meadow fescue) harvested at three different times (early, medium, and late) and preserved as hay. In general, fiber content increased as the grasses matured, whereas WSC content varied to a large extent. In vitro fermentation using horse caecal fluid was used to quantify digestion of early and late cut grass samples of all species. Harvest time (early vs. late) had a larger effect on in vitro fermentation compared to the effect of grass species. Early and late harvested perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot were further selected for detailed studies of precaecal digestion in vivo as these species had highest and lowest WSC content. In general, cocksfoot was identified as grass species with low digestibility and low WSC concentration compared to the other species investigated.
© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2022-12-29 PubMed ID: 36576899PubMed Central: PMC9904184DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac422Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores how the harvest times of forage will affect carbohydrate digestion in horses by reviewing the composition and digestion of various grass species.

Chemical Composition of Feeds

  • A variety of thin grass species were chosen for the experiment, including meadow fescue, cocksfoot, perennial ryegrass, smooth bromegrass, tall fescue, and timothy.
  • These grasses were harvested at three different times to compare differences in nutritional composition among early, medium, and late first cuts.
  • The composition was analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom), and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC).
  • Results showed the CP content generally decreased, while aNDFom content increased as the grass matured. The WSC content varied, decreasing in cocksfoot but increasing in smooth bromegrass and timothy.

In Vitro Digestion

  • Selected feeds were subjected to in vitro gas production by using horse caecal fluid as an inoculum, incubated for 48 hours.
  • Maximum gas production (MGP) indicated potential digestibility.
  • The data showed a resemblance in their in vitro MGP, with the harvest times showing more difference than the grass species.

In Vivo Digestion

  • An in vivo experiment was carried out using caecum-cannulated horses to study the digestion of selected feeds that included cocksfoot and perennial ryegrass.
  • The research adopted a randomized 4 x 4 Latin square design, involving four periods, four horses, and four types of feeds.
  • This section of the study registered high precaecal disappearance of the WSC fraction measured through the mobile bag technique.

Findings and Recommendations

  • The research found harvest times greatly influence the digestibility of the feed as opposed to the type of grass species used.
  • Cocksfoot was identified as a potential feed option for horses due to its low digestibility and WSC content.

Overall, the study provided an insight into how carbohydrate composition and digestion can be manipulated by adjusting the harvest times, which could potentially have significant implications for dietary practices in horse care.

Cite This Article

APA
Stang FL, Bjerregaard R, Müller CE, Ergon Å, Halling M, Thorringer NW, Kidane A, Jensen RB. (2022). The effect of harvest time of forage on carbohydrate digestion in horses quantified by in vitro and mobile bag techniques. J Anim Sci, 101, skac422. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac422

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 101
PII: skac422

Researcher Affiliations

Stang, Frida Lindskov
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Bjerregaard, Rikke
  • Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Müller, Cecilia Elisabeth
  • Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Ergon, Åshild
  • Department of Plant Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.
Halling, Magnus
  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Thorringer, Nana Wentzel
  • Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.
Kidane, Alemayehu
  • Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.
Jensen, Rasmus Bovbjerg
  • Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Digestion
  • Carbohydrates
  • Poaceae / chemistry
  • Lolium
  • Phleum
  • Dactylis
  • Festuca
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Rumen / metabolism

Grant Funding

  • H-17-47-287 / The Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research

References

This article includes 45 references
  1. Åkerlind M, Weisbjerg M, Eriksson T, Tøgersen R, Udén P, Olafsson BL, Harstad OM, Volden H. Feed analyses and digestion methods. 2011;p. 41–54.
  2. Allen E, Sheaffer C, Martinson K. Forage nutritive value and preference of cool-season grasses under horse grazing. Agron. J. 105:679–684.
    doi: 10.2134/agronj2012.0300google scholar: lookup
  3. nANKOM. ANKOM RF Gas Production System Operator’s Manual <900. 2022.
  4. Borgia L, Valberg S, McCue M, Watts K, Pagan J. Glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to feeding hay with different non-structural carbohydrate content in control and polysaccharide storage myopathy-affected horses.. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2011 Dec;95(6):798-807.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01116.xpubmed: 21198966google scholar: lookup
  5. Brøkner C, Austbø D, Næsset JA, Knudsen KE, Tauson AH. Equine pre-caecal and total tract digestibility of individual carbohydrate fractions and their effect on caecal pH response.. Arch Anim Nutr 2012 Dec;66(6):490-506.
    doi: 10.1080/1745039x.2012.740311pubmed: 23130967google scholar: lookup
  6. Coenen M, Mösseler A, Vervuert I. Fermentative gases in breath indicate that inulin and starch start to be degraded by microbial fermentation in the stomach and small intestine of the horse in contrast to pectin and cellulose.. J Nutr 2006 Jul;136(7 Suppl):2108S-2110S.
    doi: 10.1093/jn/136.7.2108Spubmed: 16772512google scholar: lookup
  7. Dyer J, Fernandez-Castaño Merediz E, Salmon KS, Proudman CJ, Edwards GB, Shirazi-Beechey SP. Molecular characterisation of carbohydrate digestion and absorption in equine small intestine.. Equine Vet J 2002 Jul;34(4):349-58.
    doi: 10.2746/042516402776249209pubmed: 12117106google scholar: lookup
  8. Faichney GJ. The use of markers to partition digestion within the gastro-intestinal tract of ruminants. 1975;p. 277–291.
  9. Firshman AM, Valberg SJ, Bender JB, Finno CJ. Epidemiologic characteristics and management of polysaccharide storage myopathy in Quarter Horses.. Am J Vet Res 2003 Oct;64(10):1319-27.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2003.64.1319pubmed: 14596472google scholar: lookup
  10. Frank N, Geor RJ, Bailey SR, Durham AE, Johnson PJ. Equine metabolic syndrome.. J Vet Intern Med 2010 May-Jun;24(3):467-75.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0503.xpubmed: 20384947google scholar: lookup
  11. Goering HK, Van Soest PJ. Forage fiber analyses (Apparatus reagents, procedures, and some applications). Agric. Handbook No. 379 1970;p. 20.
  12. Griggs TC, MacAdam JW, Mayland HF, Burns JC. Temporal and vertical distribution of nonstructural carbohydrate, fiber, protein, and digestibility levels in orchardgrass swards. Agron. J. 99:755–763.
    doi: 10.2134/agronj2006.0036google scholar: lookup
  13. Groot JCJ, Cone JW, Williams BA, Debersaques FMA, Lantinga EA. Multiphasic analysis of gas production kinetics for in vitro fermentation of ruminant feeds. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 64:77–89.
    doi: 10.1016/S0377-8401(96)01012-7google scholar: lookup
  14. Harris PA, Ellis AD, Fradinho MJ, Jansson A, Julliand V, Luthersson N, Santos AS, Vervuert I. Review: Feeding conserved forage to horses: recent advances and recommendations.. Animal 2017 Jun;11(6):958-967.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731116002469pubmed: 27881201google scholar: lookup
  15. Humphreys MW, Yadav RS, Cairns AJ, Turner LB, Humphreys J, Skøt L. A changing climate for grassland research.. New Phytol 2006;169(1):9-26.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01549.xpubmed: 16390415google scholar: lookup
  16. Hymøller L, Dickow MSD, Brøkner C, Austbø D, S K ­Jensen. Cereal starch, protein, and fatty acid pre-caecal disappearance is affected by both feed technological treatment and ­efficiency of the chewing action in horses. Livest. Sci. 150:159–169.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.08.016google scholar: lookup
  17. Ince JC, Longland AC, MooreColyer MJS, Harris PA. In vitro degradation of grass fructan by equid gastrointestinal digesta. Grass Forage Sci. 69:514–523.
    doi: 10.1111/gfs.12061google scholar: lookup
  18. Janis C. THE EVOLUTIONARY STRATEGY OF THE EQUIDAE AND THE ORIGINS OF RUMEN AND CECAL DIGESTION.. Evolution 1976 Dec;30(4):757-774.
    doi: 10.2307/2407816pubmed: 28563331google scholar: lookup
  19. Jensen KB, Harrison P, Chatterton NJ, Bushman BS, Creech JE. Seasonal trends in non-structural carbohydrates in cool- and warm-season grasses. Crop Sci. 54:2328–2340.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci2013.07.0465google scholar: lookup
  20. King C, McEniry J, Richardson M, O’Kiely P. Yield and chemical composition of five common grassland species in response to nitrogen fertiliser application and phenological growth stage. Acta Agric. Scand. B Soil Plant Sci. 62:644–658.
    doi: 10.1080/09064710.2012.687055google scholar: lookup
  21. Lindåse S, Müller C, Nostell K, Bröjer J. Evaluation of glucose and insulin response to haylage diets with different content of nonstructural carbohydrates in 2 breeds of horses.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018 Jul;64:49-58.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.03.006pubmed: 29751248google scholar: lookup
  22. Lindåse SS, Nostell KE, Müller CE, Jensen-Waern M, Bröjer JT. Effects of diet-induced weight gain and turnout to pasture on insulin sensitivity in moderately insulin resistant horses.. Am J Vet Res 2016 Mar;77(3):300-9.
    doi: 10.2460/ajvr.77.3.300pubmed: 26919602google scholar: lookup
  23. Longland AC, Byrd BM. Pasture nonstructural carbohydrates and equine laminitis.. J Nutr 2006 Jul;136(7 Suppl):2099S-2102S.
    doi: 10.1093/jn/136.7.2099Spubmed: 16772510google scholar: lookup
  24. Lowman RS, Theodorou MK, Hyslop JJ, Dhanoa MS, Cí·¯ord D. Evulation of an in vitro batch culture technique for estimating the in vivo digestibility and digestible energy content of equine feeds using equine faeces as the source of microbial inoculum. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 80:11–27.
    doi: 10.1016/S0377-8401(99)00039-5google scholar: lookup
  25. McGowan C. The role of insulin in endocrinopathic laminitis. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 28:603–607.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2008.08.004google scholar: lookup
  26. Merediz EF, Dyer J, Salmon KS, Shirazi-Beechey SP. Molecular characterisation of fructose transport in equine small intestine.. Equine Vet J 2004 Sep;36(6):532-8.
    doi: 10.2746/0425164044877378pubmed: 15460079google scholar: lookup
  27. Moore-Colyer MJ, Hyslop JJ, Longland AC, Cí·¯ord D. The mobile bag technique as a method for determining the degradation of four botanically diverse fibrous feedstuffs in the small intestine and total digestive tract of ponies.. Br J Nutr 2002 Dec;88(6):729-40.
    doi: 10.1079/bjn2002734pubmed: 12493095google scholar: lookup
  28. Müller CE. Equine ingestion of haylage harvested at different plant maturity stages. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 134:144–151.
    doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.08.005google scholar: lookup
  29. Müller CE. Equine digestion of diets based on haylage harvested at different plant maturities. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 177:65–74.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2012.06.002google scholar: lookup
  30. Philippeau C, Varloud M, Julliand V. Mobile bag starch prececal disappearance and postprandial glycemic response of four forms of barley in horses.. J Anim Sci 2014 May;92(5):2087-93.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-6850pubmed: 24668950google scholar: lookup
  31. Pollock CJ, Cairns AJ. Fructan metabolism in grasses and cereals. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 42:77–101.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev.pp.42.060191.000453google scholar: lookup
  32. Ragnarsson S, Lindberg JE. Nutritional value of timothy haylage in Icelandic horses. Livest. Sci. 113:202–208.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.03.010google scholar: lookup
  33. Ragnarsson S, Lindberg JE. Nutritional value of mixed grass haylage in Icelandic horses. Livest. Sci. 131:83–87.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2010.03.003google scholar: lookup
  34. Ringmark S, Roepstorff L, Essén-Gustavsson B, Revold T, Lindholm A, Hedenström U, Rundgren M, Ogren G, Jansson A. Growth, training response and health in Standardbred yearlings fed a forage-only diet.. Animal 2013 May;7(5):746-53.
    doi: 10.1017/s1751731112002261pubmed: 23228709google scholar: lookup
  35. Sanada Y, Tomoyuki T, Yamada T. Ecotypic variation of water-soluble carbohydrate concentration and winter hardiness in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). Euphytica 153:267–280.
    doi: 10.1007/s10681-006-9262-9google scholar: lookup
  36. Särkijärvi S, Sormunen-Cristian R, Heikkilä T, Rinne M, Saastamoinen M. Effect of grass species and cutting time on in vivo digestibility of silage by horses and sheep. Livest. Sci. 144:230–239.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.11.019google scholar: lookup
  37. Shewmaker GE, Mayland HF, Roberts CA, Harrison PA, Chatterton NJ, Sleper DA. Daily carbohydrate accumulation in eight tall fescue cultivars. Grass Forage Sci. 61:413–421.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2006.00550.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  38. Strauch S, Wichert B, Greef JM, Hillegeist D, Zeyner A, Liesegang A. Evaluation of an in vitro system to simulate equine foregut digestion and the influence of acidity on protein and fructan degradation in the horse's stomach.. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2017 Jun;101 Suppl 1:51-58.
    doi: 10.1111/jpn.12635pubmed: 28627065google scholar: lookup
  39. Thorringer NW, Jensen RB. Methodical considerations when estimating nutrient digestibility in horses using the mobile bag technique.. Animal 2021 Jan;15(1):100050.
    doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100050pubmed: 33516028google scholar: lookup
  40. Thorringer NW, Weisberg MR, Jensen RB. The effects of processing barley and maize on metabolic and digestive responses in horses.. J Anim Sci 2020 Dec 1;98(12).
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaa353pmc: PMC7751134pubmed: 33150365google scholar: lookup
  41. Thorringer NW, Weisberg MR, Jensen RB. Mobile bag technique for estimation of nutrient digestibility when hay is supplemented with alternative fibrous feedstuffs in horses. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 283:115168.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2021.115168google scholar: lookup
  42. Tilley JMA, Terry RA. A two-stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops. Grass Forage Sci. 18:104–111.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2494.1963.tb00335.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  43. Udén P. In vitro studies on microbial efficiency from two cuts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Aberdart) with different proportions of sugars and proteins. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 126:145–156.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2005.06.008google scholar: lookup
  44. van Eps AW, Pollitt CC. Equine laminitis induced with oligofructose.. Equine Vet J 2006 May;38(3):203-8.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406776866327pubmed: 16706272google scholar: lookup
  45. Varloud M, de Fombelle A, Goachet A-G, Drogoul C, Julliand V. Partial and total apparent digestibility of dietary carbohydrates in horses as affected by the diet. Anim. Sci. 79:61–72.
    doi: 10.1017/S1357729800054539google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.