EFFECT OF COPRA EXPELLER PELLET SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE FLOW OF NUTRIENTS FROM THE RUMEN OF SHEEP FED LOW-QUALITY PANGOLA GRASS (DIGITARIA-DECUMBENS)

The effects of copra expeller pellet (CEP) supplementation on nutrient flow, the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and degradability of CEP-nitrogen (N) in the rumen of sheep fed chopped pangola hay, we re determined. Six sheep fitted with rumen and abomasal cannulae were given three diets; A (pangola hay ad libitum), B (A + CEP at 0.5% BW) and C (A + CEP at 1.0% BW) in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square experime nt. CEP supplementation did not affect intake of pangola hay when give n at 0.5% BW, but was reduced (P < 0.05) when CEP supplementation was increased to 1.0% BW. Apparent DMD of the total diet was increased (P < 0.05) with CEP supplementation. Intake and digestibility of OM, DOM intake (DOMI), OM apparently digested in the rumen (ADOMR), OM truly d igested in the rumen (TDOMR) and OM flow to the small intestines of sh eep were not significantly affected by CEP supplementation. However, C EP supplementation increased (P < 0.01) total N intake, digestibility and flows of total non-ammonia N (NAN), microbial NAN and feed NAN to the small intestines of sheep. Degradabilities of CEP-N in the rumen o f sheep fed CEP at 0.5% BW and 1.0% BW were 22% and 19%, respectively. Efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (g microbial NAN/kg ADOMR a nd TDOMR) in the rumen of sheep was increased (P < 0.01) with each inc rease in level of CEP supplementation. Mean values were 20.3, 29.9 and 37.1 g/kg ADOMR, 15.7, 21.3 and 26.0 g/kg TDOMR for diets A, B and C, respectively. It was concluded that CEP could be a suitable supplemen t for ruminants consuming tropical pastures.