The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs,
facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance,
or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State
University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national
origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the
nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard
Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471, TDD (814) 865-3175.
DAS 96-20
Evaluating forages and TMRs using the Penn State Particle Size Separator
7
RECOMMENDED FIBER INTAKES
(
CONTINUED
)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suggested ranges for total NDF should be at
least 1.10 to 1.20 percent of body weight.
Forage NDF intake can range from .75 to
1.10 percent of body weight.
However, if the forage or TMR particle
length is too fine, then a higher minimum (>
0.85 percent of body weight) should be used
in the ration.
Table 3. Guidelines for forage NDF intake.
Forage NDF as % of body weight1
Intake level
.75%2
Minimum if ration provides 1.30-1.40%
total NDF by use of byproduct feeds.
.85%2
Minimum if ration provides 1.00-1.20%
total NDF by use of grains or starchy feeds.
.90%
Moderately low
.95%
Average
1.00
%
Moderately low
1.10%
Maximum
1Forage dry matter intake should range between 1.40% to 2.40% of body weight regardless
of forage NDF intake parameters.
2Higher minimum may be necessary if forage is chopped too fine.
Table 4. Guidelines for total NDF and forage NDF intakes as a percent of the total ration dry
matter when using low NDF concentrates.
Milk
production
Total NDF intake
Forage NDF intake
High (> 80 pounds)
28-32%
21-27%
Medium (60-80 pounds)
33-37%
25-32%
Low (< 60 pounds)
38-42%
29-36%
