Influence of Crude Fiber in the Ration on Efficiency of Feed Utilization by Dairy Cows

Roughages commonly fed to dairy cows in Hawaii tend to be high in fiber. One of these roughages is "strip cane," and another is "cane tops," both of which are obtained as waste or by-products from sugar plantations. Near Honolulu other roughages are grown as soiling crops (Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum) or obtained in wild state from gulches and other waste areas (koa haole, Leucaena glauca). These and other roughages are unusually high in crude fiber. For example, strip cane contains 44 per cent crude fiber, sugar cane tops, 37 per cent, Napier grass, 41 per cent and koa haole, 37 per cent crude fiber when calculated on the dry matter basis. Therefore, in this area, it is very important that an investigation be made as to the correct balance of crude fiber to total digestible nutrients in the rations fed to cattle.