Abstract

Ruminant microflora and fauna enable the degradation of otherwise poorly digestible feeds and are a principal source of metabolisable protein (Faichney, 1996). Rumen outflow, which is dependent on many factors including the physical characteristics of the diet and the level of feed intake, carries both nutrients and microorganisms to the abomasum. The proportional contribution of the various sub-populations of microorganisms to the total pool of abomasal protein is still poorly defined (Dewhurst et al., 2000). It is therefore possible that differences in motility or microhabitat between subpopulations may generate differential retention of certain groups.

J, Laporte-Uribe, and SJ Gibbs

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, Christchurch, 242-243, 2009