Determination of the forage value and digestibilities of leaf masses of alfalfa and various clover species.

The project aims to contribute to covering the protein requirements in the diets of organic monogastric animals from the point of view of regional resource utilization. The focus is on the utilization of protein from indigenous clover-like legumes, which are generally abundantly available on organic farms. The aim is to determine the extent to which the crude protein content can be concentrated in the leaf mass of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), incarnate clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum). The feed value of the leaf mass of these protein feed plants is to be determined in conjunction with the expected leaf mass yield and the digestibility of the leaf mass.
The research project serves according to funding priority 1.3 of the announcement no. 03/11/51 on the implementation of research and development projects (R&D projects) to promote a sustainable and indigenous protein supply in monogastric nutrition as part of the federal program Organic Farming and Other Forms of Sustainable Agriculture of 01.03.2011 to identify plant-based protein sources for use in animal feed.
Information on the funding of the project can be found in the federal funding catalog at foerderportal.bund.de/foekat/jsp/StartAction.do. Please enter 28 plus the funding code (FKZ) of the BÖLN project in the search field, e.g. 2808OE212 for the BÖLN project with the FKZ 08OE212.

The project will contribute to meet the protein requirements in the diet ecologically held monogastric animals in terms of regional resource use. The focus is on the utilization of the protein of native clover-like legume, which on organic farms are generally plentiful available.
It is mentioned that an increasing of the concentration of crude protein content by separation the leaf mass of alfalfa and clover species selected from the stalk will increase the feeding value for pigs. Including different varieties and cutting dates the leaf mass yields and the nutritive value will be determined by nutrient analysis using the in vitro determination of digestibility in the small intestine. It has also to be clarified what highly is the nutritive value with regard to the protein supply.
Seeds (each 4 varieties) of alfalfa, red clover, white clover, crimson clover and Persian clover to be sampled. In total with 3 cutting dates 5x4x2x3 = 120 samples will be examined. After harvesting, the samples are dried in a drying oven and then separated the leaf fraction. The nutrient contents of leaf mass will be determined by Weender and van Soest analysis. In the analysis of different Aminoacids 20 samples are provided to limit the budget. The precaecal digestibility of crude protein of the leaf mass will be determined with the in vitro method according to Boisen & Fernandez (1997). Finally, the food value will be determined and it is carried out a technical
assessment and a cost-benefit ratio.