| The nutritional value of herbal extraction residues and their degradation characteristics in the rumen of non-pregnant adult cows during the dry period were studied to provide a theoretical basis for the scientific utilization of these residues in beef cattle production. Nylon bag techniques were employed to determine the degradation rates of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of 14 herbal extraction residues at various time points. The results showed that the DM, CP, and crude fat (EE) contents of peach kernel extraction residue were relatively high, reaching 99.19%, 26.60%, and 61.61%, respectively. The non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFE), NDF, and ADF contents of Poria extraction residue were significantly( P≤0.05) higher than those of the other 13 herbal residues, with values of 94.11%, 93.29%, and 73.15%, respectively. The highest crude fiber (CF) content was found in licorice, reaching 37.12%. Among the 14 herbal extraction residues, peach kernel extraction residue consistently exhibited high degradation rates of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF in the rumen. The degradation rates and effective degradation rates of these nutrients were significantly higher (P≤0.05) than those of the other 13 herbal residues. Poria extraction residue showed a slow degradation rate of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF in the rumen between 6 and 12 hours, after which the degradation rate accelerated significantly. By 72 hours, its DM, NDF, and ADF degradation rates surpassed those of peach kernel extraction residue, ranking first. Throughout the entire degradation period (6-72h), the degradation rates of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF, as well as the final effective degradation rates, were consistently lower in the residues of cypress seed, sour jujube seed, and cardamom, and these rates were significantly lower (P≤0.05) than those of most other herbal extraction residues. In conclusion, peach kernel extraction residue has high nutritional and utilitarian value, making it an excellent feed source for fattening cattle. Poria extraction residue has high NDF and ADF content, and can be combined with other nutrient-rich feeds to fulfill the fiber requirements of fattening cattle. |