In the VanSoest system, TDN can be estimated by acid detergent fiber. Labeling forage is extremely important. For instance, if the ADF content was 30 percent. The energy in a feedstuff is as useful for maintenance as for production. However, use of energy in a feedstuff differs for deposition of body tissue and maintaining body tissue.
More energy is required to deposit body tissue than to maintain body tissue.
For lactating dairy cows, NE L , is needed when balancing rations. ADF in the calculation to estimate NE L . Since TDN and NE, values are both estimated by ADF, it is critical that ADF is determined as precisely as possible. Identification of sample type is also important. It is the responsibility of the person submitting the sample for analysis to identify it appropriately.