Abstract
Feeding raw sawdust as main roughage to Breeding Japanese Black Cattle is gradually spreading in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. In this study, firstly, the digestibility trial was conducted to examine the nutritional function of sawdust in Japanese Black Cattle and digestibility was measured by the total fecal collection method. Results showed that the sawdust was hardly digested by cattle. Consequently, it was observed that the sawdust functioned only in satisfying Roughage Value Index (RVI). Secondly, another research was conducted to investigate whether the quantity of sawdust can be reduced from 3 kg (quantity of conventional feeding) to 2 kg. Results showed that even though the quantity of sawdust was reduced from 3 kg to 2 kg, RVI was still satisfied enough without any problems about rumen fluid characteristics and blood composition.
