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M. 1983. Rumen fermentation and digestibility in steers as influenced by level of intake and monensin. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 63: 855-860.The effects of level of feed intake and monensin on rumen fermentation and digestibility in steers were evaluated. The four levels of feed intake were 30, 50, 70 and 90 g of dry matter per kilogram body weight raised to the 0.75 power (g/kgot').Monensin was included at 0 and 33 mg/kg diet.

The effect of barley level and monensin on feedlot performance by lambs and steers was investigated in two experiments. Monensin was given at 0 and 33mg/kg of food in lamb and steer diets, which contained bailey at levels from 300 to 900g/kg. Food consumption by lambs was not affected by monensin but intakes decreased with increasing levels of barley (P<005). Food intake by steers decreased in a linear manner with increasing levels of barley (P<001) and averaged 80g/kg lower when monensin was fed (P<005). Monensin improved lamb gains by 350g/kg (P<0-001), but had no effect on steer performance. Feeding monensin improved average food efficiency in lambs and steers by 27 and 4%, respectively. Carcass characteristics were not influenced by monensin, but heavier carcasses (P<0-01) in steers given the high barley rations were also fatter (P< 0-001).

Hedysarum alpinum L. var. americanum Michx. (American hedysarum) is indigenous to parts of Saskatchewan. Plants grown from seeds collected at five locations in central Saskatchewan were transplanted into a nursery at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and a study of the nutritive value of individual plants was undertaken to determine the potential value of American hedysarum as a forage legume for the northern Canadian prairies. Leaves and stems (analyzed separately) showed marked differences in chemical composition. However, they did not differ in the in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD). American hedysarum plants had a much higher tannin content than alfalfa or birdsfoot trefoil plants grown at the same location. This may account for the relatively low OMD of this species. The protein and fiber fractions (of H. alpinum) compared favorably with those of alfalfa. Improvement by breeding for reduced tannin content would be necessary before American hedysarum would be acceptable as a forage crop.Key words: Hedysarum alpinum L. var. americanum Michx., American hedysarum, forage, tannin, in vitro digestibility, early growth