This study investigated the effect of coated feed using mixed oil on rumen fermentation characteristics. Two experiments were conducted based on materials that were mixed. First, cashew nut and soybean oils were mixed with white mineral oil. And second, different plant extracts were mixed with white mineral oil. At first experiment, inclusion levels of mixed oil on diet (0.03%, 0.1%, 0.5%) were applied as variables. A coated diet was fermented with rumen inoculum according to in vitro rumen fermentation and its parameters were investigated. In the result of first experiment, no negative effects on rumen pH were found. Significantly decreased dry matter digestibility was detected at 0.5% treatment (P<0.05). Total gas productions in control and 0.03% were significantly greater than those of others (P<0.05). Significantly reduced methane productions were found in all treatments compared to the control (P<0.05). Inclusion of mixed oil did not affect on ammonia production. Total volatile fatty acid production was also not influenced by coating with mixed oils. Rumen fermentation parameters were greatly changed according to introduced plant extracts at second experiment. The significantly lowest and greatest ammonia productions were found at treatments with Ixeris dentata and Plantago asiatica, respectively (P<0.05). The significantly greatest acetate and propionate productions were detected at treatments with Crucuma longa and Zizyphus vulgaris 1, respectively (P<0.05). All treatments, except Chrysanthemum idicum, Euyale ferox seed, Moringa leaf and fruit and Zizyphus vulgaris 1, showed significantly increased total volatile fatty acid production compared to the control (P<0.05). Only Paeonia lactiflora showed significantly lesser gas production than the control (P<0.05). In methane production, Ceramium, Zizyphus, Paeonia, Agrimonia, Torilis, Mugwort, Foeniculum, Euphorbia, Taraxacum, Artemisia, Momordica, Curcuma and Moringa reduced methane significantly compared to the control (P<0.05).

Miscanthus sacchariflorus var. No. 1 has been newly developed in Korea. This study was conducted to assess the feed value of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at different growth and harvesting time. Total 3 different miscanthus - 1y4m (first shoot and harvested at 4 month), 2y4m (second shoot and harvested at 4 month) and 2y8m (second shoot and harvested at 8 month). Two experiments were carried out, In vitro rumen simulated fermentation and In situ dry matter digestibility (DMD). Ruminal pH at in vitro fermentation were higher in M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 treatments compared to the rice straw (RS). In volatile fatty acid production, 1y4m resulted in higher acetate production than the other M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 at higher maturity stages. Significant differences among treatments were observed in propionate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) productions at 9, 24 and 48 h of incubation times. Higher ammonia nitrogen productions were found as increased maturity of M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1. At In situ experiment, high DMD was detected in the order of RS (60.51%) > 1y4m (57.65%) > 2y4m (57.63%) > 2y8m (46.28%). The results from this study indicate that young and early harvested M. sacchariflorus var. No. 1 are able to improve its nutrient values in the ruminant animal.