Effects of dandelion extract on body size,rumen fermentation parameters,and nutrient apparent digestibility of beef calves

WANG Yanan; ZHANG Zhaoxing; TANG Zhaohui; WU Zhengang; YU Bin; GUO Jianjun; GUO Hongran

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.09.004

Abstract：The experiment aims to explore the effects of dandelion extract on the body size,rumen fermentation parameters,and nutrient apparent digestibility of beef calves.Select 40 healthy five-day-old calves and randomly divide them into four groups,with 10 replicates in each group and one calf per replicate.The control group was fed with basic feed,while the experimental groups were fed with basic feed supplemented with 0.2％,0.4％,and 0.8％dandelion extract,respectively.The pre trial period was one week,and the formal trial period was eight weeks.The results showed that 0.4％dandelion extract could significantly increase the body weight and tube circumference of beef calves(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,feeding 0.4％and 0.8％dandelion extract could increase the rumen microbial protein content by 15.92％and 17.29％,respectively(P＜0.05),feeding 0.4％dandelion extract could significantly reduce rumen pH value(P＜0.05),significantly increase propionic acid content(P＜0.05),and significantly reduce the acetic acid/propionic acid value(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,feeding 0.4％dandelion extract could increase the apparent digestibility of crude protein in beef calves by 7.91％(P＜0.05),and the apparent digestibility of acidic detergent fiber by 14.25％(P＜0.05),feeding 0.4％and 0.8％dandelion extract can increase the apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber by 9.91％and 8.19％,respectively(P＜0.05).The results show that dandelion extract can improve the growth performance and body size,promote rumen fermentation,and increase the apparent digestibility of nutrients in beef calves.The best effect is achieved when the addition amount is 0.4％.