Regulation of forage intake

Abstract

This chapter reviews the mechanisms of intake regulation, presents integrated models of intake concepts that include both animal and dietary factors, and discusses variation in intake and factors affecting the measurement of forage intake potential. It focuses on the non-forage factors that influence or regulate intake for the purpose of providing background information that will be useful in interpreting intake as a component of forage quality. The effect of nutrient deficiencies on intake has been discussed by J. M. Forbes. The chapter also presents the concepts of intake regulation that indicate the complexity of intake measurement and the role that animals play in determining intake in any given situation. Some scientists are critical of the concept that only physical fill limits the intake of low energy, high fill diets and that only chemical factors or physiological energy demand regulates the intake of high energy, low fill diets for being too simplistic.