Digestion Chemistry

Dairyland Laboratories’ Digestion and Kinetics Laboratory consists of over 3500 ft² of laboratory space dedicated exclusively to digestion analysis.

We have 2 pens, each consisting of 3-4 donor animals, fed diets tailored to meet the needs of 1) fiber (NDF) and protein analyses and 2) starch analyses. Donor animals are located next to the laboratory which eliminates the need to transport ruminal fluid over long distances and improves its viability.

Analyses

In vitro fiber digestibility: NDF digestibility from 12-240h. Samples are dried and ground to 1mm for analysis. Other timepoints are available upon request.

In vitro starch digestibility: Starch digestibility after 7h of incubation. Samples are dried and ground to 4mm for analysis. Other timepoints are available upon request.

Ross Rumen Undegradable Protein (RUP assay) and Intestinal Digestibility of RUP/Undigested CP (UCP): RUP determined after 16h incubation and intestinal degradation of RUP determined using an enzyme mix. Samples are analyzed raw or ground to 2mm for feeds with larger particle sizes (ex. pellets).

In vitro gas production: An indirect measurement of fiber or starch digestibility. It allows for rapid and continuous measurements over 48h on a single vessel, facilitating calculations of fermentation kinetics. Can be used to analyze samples without drying or grinding. Longer monitoring times accommodated upon request.

Volatile fatty acid (VFA) of fermentation liquid: Measuring VFA is an indicator of the quality of fermentation. Recommended for in vitro trials measuring efficacy of fibrolytic or amylolytic enzymes.

All analyses include blanks and standards in each run for quality control. Packages that meet CNCPS input requirements are available.

**Prices Effective August 1, 2023.  

Apparent Digestibility
Apparent Digestibility is a tool to measure total tract digestion of a ration fed to ruminant animals. Dairyland Labs uses indigestible NDF (uNDFom) as an internal marker to estimate fecal output. Indigestible NDF passes through the digestive tract unaltered and unabsorbed; therefore, the same amount that is consumed should be excreted in the manure. The proportion of uNDF in the TMR and Feces is then used to calculate digestibility.
Apparent digestibility allows direct measurement of digestibility due to changes that are difficult to model and predict accurately including:

• Feed additives/supplements

• Particle size

• Passage rate

• Feed and nutrient interactions