The Effect of Nitrogen Fertiliser and Season on the \u3cem\u3ein Situ\u3c/em\u3e Degradability of Irish Perennial Ryegrass in Cattle

In light of increasing environmental and economic pressure on agriculture to utilise resources more efficiently, protein feeding and its effects are fundamentally important. As grazed grass is the predominant feed in Irish dairy and beef cattle production systems, it is necessary to establish protein values for different grass varieties and cultivars fed. It is also important to investigate the extent of ruminal nitrogen (N) degradability for these grasses since this characteristic greatly influences environmentally damaging urinary N excretion