Archived
This content is available here for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping.
Publication Date
1977
Description
Two groups of 5 crossbred Holstein calves with 80 120 kg live weight were used to study the effect of feeding with Coast Cross bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) or pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.) on the energy and nitrogen balance of the animals during the dry and rainy seasons. Bermuda grass had nearly twice the crude protein content of pangola grass in both seasons (8.3 vs. 5.0% DM basis). Balance data obtained for bermuda and pangola grasses during the dry season were: intake of DM 3.28 and 3.00 kg/day, metabolizable energy 7.44 and 5.30 Meal ME/day, nitrogen 43.8 and 22.3 g N/day, digestibility of DM 66.2 and 65.3 %, energy 69.3 and 64.9 %, nitrogen 63.8 and 45.6%, nitrogen retention 47.6 and 21.1 %. Corresponding data for the rainy season were: intake of DM 3.91 and 3.09 kg/ day, metabolizable energy 8.48 and 6.51 Meal ME/day, nitrogen 40.l and 23.6 g N/day, DM digestibility 70.2 and 64.3 %, energy -72.5 and 68.3 %, nitrogen 66.8 and 54.1 %, nitrogen retention 50.2 and 37.3 %. Daily live weight gains were theoretically estimated by using the data on ME and nitrogen intakes. These indicate that daily gains would be higher on the animals fed with bermuda grass (up to 800 g/day) than those fed pangola grass (up to 400 g/day), and also that the gains would be higher during the rainy season. The main causes determining these results are the higher intakes of energy and nitrogen in the animals fed Coast Cross bermuda grass.
Citation
Geerken, C M.; Diaz, A; and Gonzalez, R, "Energy and nitrogen metabolisms of steers fed with Coast Cross No. l bermuda gniss (Cynodon dactylon) or pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.) forages" (1977). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 20.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1977/sess10/20)
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Energy and nitrogen metabolisms of steers fed with Coast Cross No. l bermuda gniss (Cynodon dactylon) or pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.) forages
Two groups of 5 crossbred Holstein calves with 80 120 kg live weight were used to study the effect of feeding with Coast Cross bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) or pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.) on the energy and nitrogen balance of the animals during the dry and rainy seasons. Bermuda grass had nearly twice the crude protein content of pangola grass in both seasons (8.3 vs. 5.0% DM basis). Balance data obtained for bermuda and pangola grasses during the dry season were: intake of DM 3.28 and 3.00 kg/day, metabolizable energy 7.44 and 5.30 Meal ME/day, nitrogen 43.8 and 22.3 g N/day, digestibility of DM 66.2 and 65.3 %, energy 69.3 and 64.9 %, nitrogen 63.8 and 45.6%, nitrogen retention 47.6 and 21.1 %. Corresponding data for the rainy season were: intake of DM 3.91 and 3.09 kg/ day, metabolizable energy 8.48 and 6.51 Meal ME/day, nitrogen 40.l and 23.6 g N/day, DM digestibility 70.2 and 64.3 %, energy -72.5 and 68.3 %, nitrogen 66.8 and 54.1 %, nitrogen retention 50.2 and 37.3 %. Daily live weight gains were theoretically estimated by using the data on ME and nitrogen intakes. These indicate that daily gains would be higher on the animals fed with bermuda grass (up to 800 g/day) than those fed pangola grass (up to 400 g/day), and also that the gains would be higher during the rainy season. The main causes determining these results are the higher intakes of energy and nitrogen in the animals fed Coast Cross bermuda grass.
