Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

This study evaluated the nutritional value of Italian ryegrass (IRG) as a forage source for Hanwoo. The nutritional value of IRG was assessed and compared to that of rice straw, oat hay, and timothy hay using two different methods: 1) in vitro ruminal fermentation 2) in vivo total tract digestibility. In vitro DM digestibility was lower in rice straw compared to the other three forage sources after both 24 and 48 h of incubation (p < 0.01). Among the four forage sources, IRG had a higher NH3-N concentration after both 24 and 48 h of incubation (p < 0.01). In the in vivo digestibility trials, four different substrates were used: 1) 80% concentrate with 20% rice straw, 2) 80% concentrate with 20% oat hay, 3) 80% concentrate with 20% IRG, and 4) 80% concentrate with 20% timothy hay. The dry matter, crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrate, and detergent fiber digestibility were the greatest in the C80-IRG20 among the four forage groups. In summary, IRG had a similar level of energy efficiency compared to oat hay and timothy hay. Furthermore, the result of the chemical composition analysis showing a higher ammonia concentration in the in vitro fermentation experiment and the high protein digestibility in the in vivo experiment indicate that IRG is a good source of protein compared to oat hay and timothy hay