Erickson, Peter S.

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryFaculty Publications12-4-2017Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets: A new way oflooking at forage fiberPeter S. EricksonFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/faculty_pubs7/10/2019 Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets | UNH Extensionhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/utilizing-undf-dairy-cow-diets 1/6Search  Search this SiteDonateProfessional Development and TrainingUNH HomeTopicsLocationsBlogEventsResourcesAboutUtilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow DietsA new way of looking at forage fiberDecember 4, 2017Blog > Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets7/10/2019 Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets | UNH Extensionhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/utilizing-undf-dairy-cow-diets 2/6What is NDF?NDF is neutral detergent fiber.  It is that which remains after boiling for one hour in neutral detergent.  NDF isprimarily cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, but it can contain some silica from soil contamination and somebound protein.  NDF is negatively correlated to feed intake, in other words as NDF increases dry matter intakedecreases. Recently several laboratories (USDA, Cornell, and Miner) have been investigating the carbohydratepools and that which is readily utilized (fast pool), slow pool or that which is considered undigestible or uNDF.What is uNDF?uNDF is the opposite of digestible NDF or = 100% - uNDF = digestible NDF sometimes referred to NDFD. uNDF is defined as the residue remaining after a specified amount of digestion usually 240 hours for forages and30 hours for non-forage sources.  uNDF differs from indigestible NDF or iNDF which implies that iNDF thatwill never be digested. uNDF serves as an estimate of iNDF.  It also differs from lignin, because the assay forlignin is crude and not as specific, while some lignin can be digested.Is uNDF bad for the cow?Not necessarily, uNDF contributes to rumen health by contributing to the rumen mat which is needed for rumenhealth and rumination to maintain the rumen environment.  All forages will have some uNDF.How can uNDF be used?It allows us to partition the NDF into pools, fast and slow.  Highly digestible NDF forages like BMR will havemuch higher potentially digestible NDF than lesser digestible NDF forages.EMAIL FACEBOOK LINKEDIN TWITTER GOOGLE+ PINTEREST7/10/2019 Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets | UNH Extensionhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/utilizing-undf-dairy-cow-diets 3/6Values of uNDF.Cotanch reported that corn silage, legume silage and grass silage had tremendous variations in uNDF in 2015. For instance the DairyOne report from May 2015 showed corn silage uNDF ranged from 2-25.5 %, legumesilage ranged from 5.5-31.7%, and grass silage ranged from 2.3-44.8%.What do the fast and slow carbohydrate pools contribute to the cow?The fast pool (that which is broken down in less than a day) results in the production of propionate whichultimately becomes glucose and potentially lactose.  Lactose is the regulator in the mammary gland of milkvolume (the more lactose the more milk).  It also contributes to the microbial pool which ultimately is the bestprotein source to the cow.The slow pool or the uNDF provides for the rumen mat, which results in rumination and saliva production andultimately the maintenance of the rumen pH.  It too contributes to microbial protein by helping to maintain ahospitable environment for the microbes to flourish.  It also contributes to the production of milk fat.So how much should I feed?Data from the Miner Institute indicates that about 5.7 pounds of uNDF is the optimal amount or about 8.7% ofthe high cow diet.  The Miner Institute observed that in their high group which averages 120 pounds of milk perday 5.7 pounds of uNDF or 0.32% of body weight or 8.5% of TMR dry matter was optimal for that level ofproduction.  In the following year, with different forages, uNDF increased to 7.5 pounds or 0.41% of bodyweight while milk yield dropped by 15 pounds. It appears that low groups need less uNDF and require about 4.6pounds per day or about 8.7% of TMR dry matter. How can I implement this new means of feeding my cows?More and more forage laboratories are providing estimates of uNDF.  Work with you feed representative todevelop new rations to meet these new developments.ReferencesCotanch, K. 2015. uNDF perspectives: How it relates to DMI, rumen fill, stage of lactation and possibly more.Penn State Extension Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop.Related pages:Agriculture & HorticultureDairy, Livestock & Forage CropsDairy Production & ManagementFeed & Forage ProductionAuthor(s)7/10/2019 Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets | UNH Extensionhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/utilizing-undf-dairy-cow-diets 4/6PeterEricksonDairy Production State Specialist603-862-1909peter.erickson@unh.eduYou may also likeAugust 6, 2018Growing Farms, Growing CommunitiesWhen Emma Downing ’16 opened Blue Heron Farm in New Boston two...Read More7/10/2019 Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets | UNH Extensionhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/utilizing-undf-dairy-cow-diets 5/6August 24, 2018In the Weeds with Elaina EnzienUNH Extension staff are in the field every day, working with...Read MoreMarch 2, 2018Losing your s***? Manure nitrogen losses with no-tillFor years, crop advisors – myself included – encouraged farms to...Read MoreContact UsUniversity of New Hampshire Cooperative ExtensionTaylor Hall, 59 College Road, Durham, NH Directionsphone: (603) 862-1520  Hours: M-F, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.Quick LinksCivil Rights StatementIntranet501(c)(3) status7/10/2019 Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets | UNH Extensionhttps://extension.unh.edu/blog/utilizing-undf-dairy-cow-diets 6/6Copyright © 2019The University of New HampshireDurham, NH 03824TTY Users: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2964 (Relay NH)USNH Privacy PoliciesUSNH Terms of UseADA Acknowledgement

Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets: 
A new way of looking at forage fiber

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Utilizing uNDF in Dairy Cow Diets: A new way of looking at forage fiber

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