A study was conducted to determine the
effect of varying the amount of supplemental
degradable intake protein (DIP) and starch on
prairie hay intake and digestibility. In general,
DIP increased forage intake, whereas starch
decreased intake. Diet digestibility also improved
with increasing DIP; however, the effect
of starch on digestion depended on the level of
feeding. Digestible dry matter intake (which
estimates total energy input) responded dramatically
to DIP but not to starch. These results
illustrate the positive effect of DIP on forage
intake and digestibility; however, supplying
additional starch within a DIP level appeared to
have minimal effect on altering total energy
supply.
