Estimation of the Digestibility of Feeds from their Proximate Composition

Equations have been presented for estimating the digestion coefficients for organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, N-free extract, fat (ether extract), and the content of total digestible nutrients in feeds, using their percentages of crude protein, crude fiber, N-free extract, and fat (ether extract) as predicting factors. Equations are given for almost all feeds which are fed to cattle and sheep, and for concentrates fed to swine. Application of the equations is illustrated and discussed. Use of the equations will result in prediction error variances which are 25 to 45 percent below those incurred if tabled average digestion coefficients are employed.