Unreliable measures of undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF) can influence animal nutrition and performance when balancing diets based on flawed forage quality estimates. Two common techniques for in vitro long digestions are the conventional flask method and the ANKOM filtration bag procedure. An ANKOM filter bag has been developed (F58) with an 8‐ to 10‐μm pore size, decreasing the chance of losing particles during neutral detergent fiber (NDF) procedure, but it has not been evaluated for use with in vitro digestions. Our objective was to compare ANKOM F58 bags with F57 bags and the conventional flask method for in vitro long digestions. Analyses incorporated 24 forage samples representing a broad range of temperate and tropical grasses and legumes. A commercial laboratory analyzed the same samples using the conventional flask procedure. Separate analyses evaluated the effect of Na2SO3 for ANKOM F57 and F58 methods and the effect of ruminal fluid plus buffer refreshing at 2‐d intervals with ANKOM F57. Undigested NDF at 240 h on an organic matter basis (uNDF240om) values between methods were different from one another, but rate calculations derived from uNDF240om values were not different. Method pore size was highly correlated (r = −0.993) with uNDF240om values. Results showed that refreshing ruminal inoculum plus buffer at 2‐d intervals for ANKOM F57 and the addition of Na2SO3 during the analysis of ash‐free NDF on an organic matter basis (aNDFom) after ANKOM F57 and F58 in vitro digestions both had significant effects on lowering uNDF240om values.

SUMMARY At Rothamsted, Hurley and Aberystwyth, fungicide and N or NK fertilizer treatments were applied to old permanent pasture, perennial ryegrass (PRG) or cocksfoot leys in one or two years. Fungicides did not affect total annual dry matter yields at any site, but some fungicides slightly affected yield at some individual harvests. At two sites, no prevalent fungal disease was seen, but at Hurley slight crown rust occurred on PRG in autumn 1972. This was well controlled by oxy‐carboxin, and slightly by benomyl, but yields were not increased. Drechslera spp. seemed slightly more common where the rust was controlled. At Hurley, the ley yielded more with 400 kg N/ha than with 100 kg N/ha, and the extra fertilizer did not damage the sward or affect the amount of disease. At Aberystwyth, the leys were not damaged by 400 kg N/ha and yields were large. In contrast, on old pasture at Rothamsted, extra NK fertilizer, (largest amount 414 kg N and 219 kg K/ha) never increased, and once slightly decreased, the yield of herbage, perhaps because patches of sward failed to regrow where the crop received more fertilizer. There was no evidence that fungal diseases were involved.

SUMMARY Pot‐grown barley plants (cv. Proctor) were exposed to infection by powdery mildew during four stages of development, G.S. 2–6, G.S. 7–9, G.S. 10‐10‐5 and G.S. 11 (Feekes scale, Large, 1954). All combinations were examined (i.e. 24 factorial). The numbers of fertile tillers at harvest were significantly reduced by mildew during periods G.S. 2–6 and G.S. 7–9. Numbers of grains per head and grain size (1000 grain weight) were significantly reduced by mildew only during G.S. 2–6. Effects, on components of yield, of the four mildew treatments were found to be almost entirely additive. The only significant interactions found were for grain size: in this instance there was some interaction between treatments at G.S. 2–6 and G.S. 10‐10‐5 and between treatments at G.S. 2–6, G.S. 7–9 and G.S. 10‐10‐5.

India has a shortage of forage and feed for its estimated 535 million head of livestock. Nutrition is the most limiting factor for goats in India to fulfill their genetic potential. Most Indian goats are managed in extensive grazing systems and information about goat nutrition and management practices in India is scarce. Consequently, this study's objective was to identify how goat management practices impact goat health and the environment in Western Odisha. A nine-month goat observation experiment took place in the Kandhamal District of Odisha to observe the current livestock system and browsing behavior of goats. The methods utilized for goat observations were novel and suggest how other researchers could approach future grazing systems research. Digestible dry matter intake of forages selected by goats in the available pasturage was low compared to similar studies. There was a high proportion of non-native, invasive species selected by goats. Livestock management practices in combination with other human interventions that are disturbing forest and pastureland ecology are degrading available lands for grazing. To improve the productivity of grazing livestock and the condition of common property resources, investment must be made by government ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. D. J. Cherney's research group is based in the Animal Science Department of Cornell University. Dr. Cherney is an animal nutritionist with a unique ability to evaluate challenges that livestock experience with forages across a wide range of production systems. The group's research mainly focuses on identifying appropriate forage management to sustain high productivity while maintaining economic viability, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. Several researchers have focused on improvements to forage utilization in developing countries by addressing potential improvements to laboratory or management systems to assess forage quality and ensure optimal consumption.

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