Evaluation of Methods for Determination of Bulk Density of Eight Kinds of Forage under Air-dry and Wet Conditions

The conditions of measurement for the determination of bulk density were evaluated to assess the bulkiness of 8 kinds of forage. The bulkiness of the forages was determined with 4 different sizes of forage samples with 7 different pressure application under air-dry and wet conditions. The dry bulk density (DBD) curvilinearly regressed with the pressure applied. The particle size of the samples and kinds of forage used in the present study did not affect changes in values of DBD determined under pressures over $20g/cm^2$ up to $200g/cm^2$. The values of the wet bulk density (WBD) increased as an increment of particle size, but were not always regressed on the particle size of the 8 kinds of forage. The DBD determined on 8 mm particles showed a higher correlation coefficient with neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents. The DBD may be a useful tool for the assessment of NDF in forage, when it is determined under condition of a pressure of $100g/cm^2$ or over with a particle size of 8 mm. The WBD may not be utilized for the direct measurement of the physical characteristics of forage, but may be required a thorough consideration on water solubility of forages. Further studies are needed to clarify the DBD contribution to the prediction of forage intake by ruminants.