Abstract

The in situ dry matter and crude protein degradability of grasses, legumes, browse trees and agro industrial by products was evaluated by the fistulated bulls (Boran × Holstein-Friesian with mean body weight 580 kg and age= 29±3 months). The lower (P < 0.05) crude protein content was reported in bracharia grasses than the other grasses. The higher (P < 0.05) washing loss in bracharia and Rhodes grasses and the better (P < 0.05) potential and effective degradability for dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) was observed in desho grass compared with other grasses. The content of crude protein, relative feed value and potential DM degradability were higher (P < 0.05) in Sesbania than Pigeon pea and tree lucerne. Potential and effective DM degradability was better (P < 0.05) in tree lucerne than the other browses. Acacia nilotica and Wanza (Cordia africana) had the greater (P < 0.05) washes loss, potential and effective degradability for dry matter and crude protein than the other browse trees. Cactus and Shola had the highest (P < 0.05) undegradable protein than Acacia nilotica and Wanza. The two energy source feeds (maize and wheat bran) had the greater (P < 0.05) potential and effective dry matter degradability than the other by products. The rumen undegradable protein was higher in vetch than lablab. The in situ dry matter degradability values obtained in this study can be useful to identifying the best materials used ruminant feeds.