Theme 09: Forage Quality

Description

The feed value for cattle of three tropical grasses, Gatton (Panicum maximum cv. Gatton), Estrella (Cynodon plectostachyus) and Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp. cv. Tifton-85) was investigated during the growing period, using the method of “continuous digestibility estimation”. Results indicate that feed value is hardly influenced by the growth stage from the 90th day on. Common European in-vitro feed evaluation procedures are not to be recommended for tropical grasses as they presented consistently lower values than did in-vivo measurements.

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Continuous Digestibility Assessment of Tropical Grasses

The feed value for cattle of three tropical grasses, Gatton (Panicum maximum cv. Gatton), Estrella (Cynodon plectostachyus) and Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp. cv. Tifton-85) was investigated during the growing period, using the method of “continuous digestibility estimation”. Results indicate that feed value is hardly influenced by the growth stage from the 90th day on. Common European in-vitro feed evaluation procedures are not to be recommended for tropical grasses as they presented consistently lower values than did in-vivo measurements.