ESTIMATION OF FECAL OUTPUT WITH AN INTRARUMINAL CONTINUOUS RELEASE MARKER DEVICE

Efficacy of a continuous release marker device (CRD) containing chromium oxide to estimate fecal output was evaluated in two 12-day grazing trials with beef steers (n = 10, trial 1; n = 7, trial 2). Trial 1 was conducted on mature green irrigated tall wheatgrass (Elytrigia pontica [Podp.] Holub) pasture during September. Trial 2 was conducted on dormant native range during December. Fecal output was determined by total fecal collection (TFC) and the CRD for each steer. Fecal output estimates from the CRD were based on a chromium release rate (980 mg/day) provided by the manufacturer. Estimates of daily fecal dry matter output (kg) in trial 1 were 2.70 and 2.69, and in trial 2 were 3.19 and 2.89 from the TFC and CRD, respectively. Differences between TFC and CRD were not significant in trial 1 (P = 0.59) but were significant in trial 2 (P < 0.01). When averaged over days and animals, estimates of daily fecal dry matter from CRD were within 1% of TFC in trial 1 and 10% of TFC in trial 2. Estimates of daily fecal dry matter from CRD were influenced by sampling day and steer (P < 0.01); however, there was no consistent pattern to day or animal variation. Multiple days and animals are required for both TFC and CRD. We conclude that CRD provides an acceptable estimate of daily fecal output. However, to improve accuracy, TFC can be used on a subsample of animals as a double sampling technique to adjust estimates derived from CRD.