Some physiological aspects on the digestion of poor quality, fibrous diets in ruminants

As competition for food between man and livestock is increasing, the efficiency of animal production must be examined critically. Herbivores can use low quality roughages not edible by man and produce animal protein. Some conditions which affect the microbial digestion of poor quality diets and the yield of microbial protein, such asthe size of fermentation chambers relative to the size of the herbivore, availability of energy from feed, and the use of non-protein nitrogen, are discussed.