Utilization of clover diets by sheep. 3. Palatability of a mature subterranean clover hay

Two experiments were conducted using an intra-ruminal feeding technique to investigate the possibility that voluntary intake of a mature subterranean clover hay was limited by its palatability.Intra-ruminal additions of the hay, in a form approximating the physical nature of rumen dry matter, at levels up to 40% of the amounts voluntarily consumed, did not reduce oral feed intake. The additions also had no significant effects on the digestibility of organic matter or cell wall constituents or on the fractional rates of digestion in or passage from the reticula-rumen. Importantly, the amounts of digesta dry matter, and its components, in the rumen were increased in proportion to additional feed given through the fistula.These results indicate that palatability limited the intake of the clover.