Recommended Minimum NDF Concentrations Based on Proportion of NDF Coming From Forage Sources
NDF From Forage (% of Dietary Dry Matter) | NDF From Forage (% of NDF) | Minimum Total NDF (% of Dietary Dry Matter) | Maximum Dietary Starch (% of Dietary Dry Matter) |
|---|---|---|---|
19 | 75 | 25 | 30 |
18 | 66 | 27 | 28 |
17 | 58 | 29 | 26 |
16 | 52 | 31 | 24 |
15 | 45 | 33 | 22 |
Abbreviations: NDF, neutral detergent fiber. As the proportion of NDF from forage sources decreases, the minimum requirement for total NDF increases. These represent minimum requirements; diets with higher NDF concentrations present no problem and are generally appropriate for animals with relatively low energy requirements. Adapted, with permission, from National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 8th rev ed. The National Academies Press; 2021. doi:10.17226/25806 | |||