Neutral detergent fiber intake by feedlot cattle

The objective of this work was to evaluate the intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by fedlot cattle, the principal factors that influencing this variable, and to correlate the NDF to total dry matter (DM) intake. The data published at the Brazilian Journal of Animal Science Society and Brazilian Journal of Animal Science among the years of 1991 and 2000, totaling 45 scientific works and 181 averages of treatments, were evaluated. The level of total digestible nutrients was negatively correlated to the level of NDF in diets (r = -0.6006; P<.01). The concentration of non-fibrous carbohydrates influenced in a negative way the digestibility of NDF (NDFD) (r = -0.163 1; P<.09); however, no statistical procedure employed allowed to detect effects of NDFD on the total DM intake (P>.10). The description of the relationship among total DM intake and level of NDF in the diet was accomplished using a biphasic profile, looking for similarity to the curves proposed by the static model of DM intake prediction. The intersection of the curves projected a intake of NDF (NDFI) of 11.93 g/kg LW. However, the evaluation of NDFl estimated during the phase attributed to the physical controllers of intake showed inconstancy, generating divergence among the points of maximum intake of DM and NDF. This profile indicated that the transition among the physical and physiologic mechanisms is, possibly, delimited by an interval with interaction among mechanisms. The evaluation of NDFI according to the level of forage in the diets showed stable profiles in concentrations above to 60%, being of 13.53 g/kg LW in the interval from 80 to 100%. Possible interactions with the indigestible fraction of NDF can dictate the plasticity of the daily limit of NDFI.