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In the case of any two of the following, describe a laboratory or field method: (a) To compare the digestibility of whole and rolled cereal grains - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 4 - 2017
Question 4
In the case of any two of the following, describe a laboratory or field method: (a) To compare the digestibility of whole and rolled cereal grains. (b) To determin... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In the case of any two of the following, describe a laboratory or field method: (a) To compare the digestibility of whole and rolled cereal grains - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 4 - 2017
Step 1
To compare the digestibility of whole and rolled cereal grains.
Answer
To compare the digestibility of whole and rolled cereal grains, you can conduct an experiment using two cattle of similar size. Separate them into two groups: one group receiving whole cereal grains and the other group receiving rolled cereal grains. After feeding for a set time, collect the dung from both groups and analyze it. Look for indicators such as the presence of undigested grains to assess the digestibility of each grain type.
Alternatively, you can use two samples of cereal grain (one whole and one rolled) and add them to two test tubes with water. Incubate at 37°C and test for starch using iodine. A color change indicates the presence of starch, which can help conclude which grain type is more digestible.
Step 2
To determine the quality of silage in a pit or bale.
Answer
To determine the quality of silage in a pit or bale, you can perform a leaf to stem ratio analysis. Start by finding the mass of the silage sample, separating the leaves from the stems. Weigh both separately and calculate the ratio of leaves to stems. A higher leaf percentage generally indicates better quality silage.
Additionally, you can conduct a pH test by compressing the silage to extract liquid and mix it with distilled water, then measure the pH. A pH between 3.8 and 4.2 is considered ideal for good-quality silage.