Theme 21: Forage Conservation
Description
The research was carried out to evaluate forage quality of chopped elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) hay and to define a proper stage for cutting and haymaking of this grass. Chemical composition, voluntary intake, and apparent digestibility of the hays were studied at five different growth stages (30, 48, 63, 76, and 91 days). Twenty-five common wethers were utilized in a completely randomized experimental design. Dry matter (DM) voluntary intake was not different (P> 0.05) from 30 to 63 days of regrowth and from 63 to 91 days and comprised 3.9; 3.5; 3.2; 2.1; and 2.4% of animal liveweight, respectively from 30 to 91 days. Digestibility coefficients of DM; OM; CP; EE; NDF; and ADF decreased linearly (P< 0.001) as plant aged. At the experimental conditions haymaking of chopped elephantgrass showed good potential as a forage storage practice, particularly for low-input familial agricultural systems. According to DM yield, chemical composition, voluntary intake and apparent digestibility, the best grass cutting stage for haymaking occurred between 30 and 63 days.
Citation
de Aguiar, E. M.; Lima, G. F. da C.; and Paz, L. G. da, "Forage Quality Evaluation of Chopped Elephantgrass Hay through Intake and Digestibility Trial" (2021). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/21/1
Included in
Forage Quality Evaluation of Chopped Elephantgrass Hay through Intake and Digestibility Trial
The research was carried out to evaluate forage quality of chopped elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) hay and to define a proper stage for cutting and haymaking of this grass. Chemical composition, voluntary intake, and apparent digestibility of the hays were studied at five different growth stages (30, 48, 63, 76, and 91 days). Twenty-five common wethers were utilized in a completely randomized experimental design. Dry matter (DM) voluntary intake was not different (P> 0.05) from 30 to 63 days of regrowth and from 63 to 91 days and comprised 3.9; 3.5; 3.2; 2.1; and 2.4% of animal liveweight, respectively from 30 to 91 days. Digestibility coefficients of DM; OM; CP; EE; NDF; and ADF decreased linearly (P< 0.001) as plant aged. At the experimental conditions haymaking of chopped elephantgrass showed good potential as a forage storage practice, particularly for low-input familial agricultural systems. According to DM yield, chemical composition, voluntary intake and apparent digestibility, the best grass cutting stage for haymaking occurred between 30 and 63 days.
