Estimating Rumen Undegradable Protein in

An in situ trial was conducted to compare estimates of rumen undegradable protein (UIP) using a single incubation time point and rates of degradation. Four forage samples (three legumes and one grass) were incubated in situ for their mean retention time estimated from in vitro dry matter disappearance plus a 10-hour lag time as well as for a time point equal to 75% of the total mean retention time (mean retention time plus lag). The UIP values obtained from the fractional rates of degradation and passage were more highly correlated with those estimated from 75% of the total mean retention time (R2 = 0.99) than those estimated from the total mean retention time (R2 = 0. 62). The UIP of birdsfoot trefoil was higher than that in the other forages