Nutritional values for 17 subtropical grasses

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Milford

The nutritional values of 17 subtropical grasses have been compared with the use of crude protein content, crude protein digestibility, nitrogen balance, dry matter intake, and dry matter digestibility as criteria. Under the experimental conditions at the Cooper Laboratory, differences in nutritional values were obtained between individual subtropical grasses, the main differences being in digestible C.P. contents and in dry matter intakes. When mature and frost-affected grasses were fed to sheep, Paspalum plicatulum (C.P.I. 11826) and Cenchrus ciliaris (West Australian strain) had the highest nutritional values, and were superior to Panicum maximum var. trichoglume, Cenchrus ciliaris (C.P.I. 6934), Paspalum plicatulum (C.P.I. 2741), and Urochloa pullulans. These four were, in turn, better than Chloris gayana (commercial strain) and Paspalum commersonii. All grasses tested had higher nutritional values than mature natural pasture. All grasses which were fed to sheep at a young leafy stage of growth had high nutritional values. Those with the best performances at this stage were Paspalum plicatulum (C.P.I. 11826 and C.P.I. 2741), Panicum maximum var. trichoglume, and Paspahm commersonii. Limited data are presented on the nutritional values of Paspalum notatum (four strains), Paspalum malacophyllum, Panicum minus, Panicum coloratum, and Pennisetum purpureum.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
A. A. TAIWO ◽  
E. A. ADEBOWALE ◽  
A. O. AKINSOYINU ◽  
J. F. D. GREENHALGH

Feedblocks, poultry manure diet, gliricidia: leucaena mixture (1:1 W/W) and maize offal diet were compared as sources of protein supplements for WAD sheep fed a basal diet of elephant grass hay (Pennisetum purpureum), through a 12-week performance and digestibility study. Dry matter and organic matter intakes (DMI, OMI) of the sheep were higher (P0.05) on the gliricidia: leucaena supplement than on the other diets. DMI on poultry manure and maize offal diets were not significant (P0.05). Organic matter intake (OMI) of the animals followed the same trend as DMI. Sheep fed legume supplements excelled in intakes of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (P>0.05). Intakes of CP and ADF by sheep on the other supplements were not significantly different (P>0.05). Sheep fed on feedblock supplement consumed the least amount. (P0.05) of NDF. Variations were observed in DM,OM, and NDF digestibilities by sheep on maize offal, poultry manure and legumes supplements. Crude protein digestibility in the legumes and feedblocks supplements was higher (P0.05) than with the other two supplements. All the sheep used gained weights but those on maize offa' diet recorded higher (P0.05). weight gain (86.57g) than those on browse leaves (59.40g), feedblocks (47.80g) and poultry manure (40.44g). Rumen pH was lower (P<0.05) on the gliricidia: leucaena supplement than on other diets. Total VFA recorded for sheep on maize offal diet and legumes supplements was higher (P<0.05) than for the other two supplements. Blood urea nitrogen of the supplements were not significantly different (P>0.05) 


1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Milford

The results from digestibility experiments made with 17 different subtropical grasses are discussed. The most suitable criteria for expressing nutritional values are crude protein content, crude protein digestibility, nitrogen balance, dry matter intake, and dry matter digestibility. Feeding standards based on starch equivalents and total digestible nutrients which are used in temperate environments are highly inaccurate when applied to these subtropical species. Large seasonal fluctuations occur in the nutritional value of subtropical grasses. At the height of the summer growing season values are very high and adequate for all forms of animal production. In the winter and early spring the grasses are generally of poor quality and are unable to meet the requirements for producing livestock. At this time the crude protein content and crude protein digestibility are low. Animals are also unable to obtain sufficient energy because the dry matter intakes and dry matter digestibilities of the grasses are low. The very low nutritive values obtained during winter and early spring usually occur after grasses have been killed by frost. Frost resistance is therefore an important criterion in selecting subtropical grasses which will maintain high nutritional values throughout the entire yew.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-158
Author(s):  
F. O. Olubajo

Four grass species namely: Cynodon nlemfuensis var robustus (M); Pennisetum purpureum Schum (N); Cynodon nlemfuensis var nlemfuensis (P); and Panicum maximum Jacq. (Q), each between the 4th and 5th, 6th and 7th, and 8th and 9th week of regrowth, was cut in the fourth and fifth years of grazing for hay (i. e. in 1972 and 1973). Digestion trials with West African dwarf sheep showed that there were significant differences in the extent to which the dry matter of the different grass species was digested (P 0.001) and among the stages of growth (P 0.01). The differences between animals within and between treatments and the interactions between treatments and periods of cutting were statistically not significant. The differences among treatment means indicated that treatment Q (68.5 ± 2.73%) was digested better than treatment M (54.9 ± 7.18%, P 0.001), and treatments N and P (60.3 ± 5.37% and 58.7 ± 5.30% P 0.01) respectively. The digestibility of crude protein was generally low in each of the grass specie studied. This is probably a reflection of the low crude protein content of the grass hays which was below 9 percent of dry matter. It ranged from approximately 27.3 percent in treatment N for the 6th week regrowth hay to 51.9 percent in treatment Q for the hay harvested in the 8th week of regrowth. The differences among treatments, stage of maturity, and the interactions between treatments and stage of cutting were not statistically significant. Significant differences between treatments were observed in the digestion of the energy content of the feeds (P 0.001). Treatments N and Q were better digested than M and P (P 0.05). Expressed on metabolic size basis, the intakes of dry matter, crude protein, and energy showed significant differences between treatments and between ages at harvest. The intakes of dry matter in treatments Q, M, and P were significantly higher (P 0.05) than treatment N while there was more dry matter taken from the 4th and 8th week hays than from the hays made from the species harvested in the 6th week of regrowth (P 0.01). More crude protein was consumed per kg0.75 in treatments M, P and Q than in treatment N (P 0.01), and in treatment M than Q (P 0.05). There were higher protein intakes from hays made in the 4th and 8th than those made in 6th week of regrowth (P 0.05). Treatment Q supplied more energy per kgl. 75 than treatments M, P and N (P 0.05), while more energy was consumed per kilogramme of metabolic size in treatment P than in treatment N (P 0.05). Nutritive Value of Hay. The intake of digestible crude protein was relatively low and this probably accounted for the losses in the liveweight of the experimental animals. The results of the experiment are suggestive of the need for supplementary protein feed during the dry season if animals are to make any liveweight gains.


1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Friend ◽  
T. M. MacIntyre

Digestibility and N-retention were determined with eight barrows fed rye and barley in a crossover experiment. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility coefficients for rye were higher than those for barley, but differences in N-retention were negligible. The coefficients obtained by indirect measurement were higher than those determined directly. Seventy-two pigs were used in a factorial experiment to determine the effect on production of feeding two grades of rye at 0, 30 and 60% of pelleted and non-pelleted finisher rations. Weight gains by barrows compared with gilts were affected less by the addition of rye to the rations. The growth rate of gilts was reduced by the inclusion of 30% rye in non-pelleted but not in pelleted rations. The use of No. 2 grade rye appeared to have restricted rate of gain less than did No. 3 grade rye. The feeding value of rye was improved by pelleting, since the daily gain of 0.75 kg obtained by feeding a 30% rye, pelleted ration equalled that from pigs fed a 0% rye, non-pelleted ration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.29) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Mohammad Firdaus Hudaya ◽  
Diah Tri Widayati ◽  
Budi Prasetyo Widyobroto ◽  
Cuk Tri Noviandi

The objective of this study was to determine the content of the feed given and reproductive status of each animal and its effect on reproduction performance in early lactation dairy cows. Seven early lactation of Friesian Holstein cows were used from local farmer. The observed variable were feedstuff from local farmer and reproductive status (post partum estrous and service per conception). The results of proximat and van soest analysis from feedstuff consist of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and concentrate feed from feed mill. The elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was contained of dry matter (DM) 86.27%, Ash 18.63%, extract eter (EE) 3.84%, crude fiber (CF) 30.62%, crude protein (CP) 13.05%, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 73.73% and acid detergent fiber (ADF) 45.31%. Concentrates feed was contained of dry matter (DM) 89.24%, Ash 15.36%, extract eter (EE) 5.37%, crude fiber (CF) 17.11%, crude protein (CP) 12.76%, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) 58.23% and acid detergent fiber (ADF) 19.20%. The results of reproductive parameters for post partum estrous (PPE) 121.43±16.672 days and service per conception (S/C) was 2.14±0.690. In conclusion the feedstuff were given less meet the requirement, and affecting the performance of reproduction.  


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 2517
Author(s):  
Armindo Neivo Kichel ◽  
Luis Carlos Ferreira de Souza ◽  
Roberto Giolo de Almeida ◽  
José Alexandre Agiova da Costa

This study aimed to assess productivity and nutritional value of the tropical grasses Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, Xaraés, and Marandu, Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça, and B. ruziziensis cv. Kennedy in the interseason of an integrated crop-livestock (ICL) system since alternatives are needed for forage production for animal grazing in Autumn and Winter. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a split-split plot scheme with four replications. The treatments of plots consisted of five grasses, subplots consisted of three cropping systems (monoculture, intercropping with corn and unsuppressed grass, and intercropped with corn and suppressed grass), and sub-subplots consisted of four cutting intervals of grasses (50, 90, 125, and 195 days after emergence - DAE). The experiment was carried out from February to September 2014. Dry matter (DM) productivity, obtained at 195 DAE for the three cropping systems (monoculture grass, unsuppressed and suppressed grass in intercropping), were 18.45, 7.15, and 3.05 t ha?1, respectively, and average crude protein contents of leaf blades of grasses decreased linearly between the cutting intervals of 50 to 195 DAE from 19.95 to 9.70%, respectively. Under integrated systems, the studied grasses showed better yields and nutritional quality when compared to traditional grazing systems. Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraés and Piatã had the highest leaf and crude protein yields when compared to Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Kennedy and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. In terms of nutritional value, Brachiaria ruziziensis cv. Kennedy was superior to Mombaça and Xaraés grasses but had lower total dry matter yield. Finally, Xaraés, Piatã and Mombaça grasses are recommended choices ICL systems when fodder grass production is the goal.


1965 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Walker ◽  
M. K. Campbell

1. Fifteen male Merino lambs suckling the ewe and four adult Merino wethers were fed the same pelletted diet. The lambs had free access to milk from the ewe and were creep-fed the pelletted diet. Feed intake by each lamb was measured daily.2. The digestibility of the dry matter of the pelletted diet was determined in a conventional total collection trial with the adult wethers. Dry-matter and crude-protein digestibility "was determined in the lambs on faeces taken at, or just before, slaughter by the lignin-ratio method.


1975 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Oyenuga ◽  
F. O. Olubajo

SUMMARYThe organic-matter intake and the digestibility of grazed tropical pasture mixtures were assessed by the chromic oxide-faecal organic matter-nitrogen technique in five digestion trials. The pasture treatments were designated as: H, Cynodon nlemfuensis var. robustus in a mixture with the legumes Centrosema pubescens and Stylosanthes gracilis; J, Pennisetum purpureum in a mixture with the two legumes in H; K, treatment J plus Panicum maximum; L, a mixture of all the grass and legume species in treatments H, J and K.The mean organic-matter digestibility of the herbages was determined in indoor digestion trials during the experimental period and varied from approximately 60·0 ± 1·73% to 62·7 ± 4·18% in treatments K and H respectively, with treatments J and L falling between these two values. The mean digestibility of the herbage as grazed, however, was approximately 66·8 ± 1·72, 69·7 ±7·68, 67·1 ± 4·40 and 67·4 ± 4·15 % for treatments, H, J, K and L respectively.The estimated mean intake of organic matter was somewhat lower, while that of the digestible organic matter was appreciably lower than those reported for animals of corresponding live weights in temperate countries. Grazed pastures were better digested by 4·1 digestibility units in treatment H, by 7·1 in both J and K, and by 5·3 units in L, compared with the indoor digestion trials.More intensive studies are still needed to warrant any justifiable conclusion as to whether the low intake of herbage by tropical cattle is due primarily to the high crude fibre and the low nutritional values of the pastures, or to the inherent capacity of the animals conditioned to grazing poor·quality pastures.


1951 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Castle ◽  
A. S. Foot ◽  
S. J. Rowland

For three consecutive years American hybrid maize was grown, under replicated experimental conditions, in the south of England. Each season, the influence of the spacing of the plants and the use of nitrogenous fertilizer on the yield and composition of the crop and of its separate portions of leaf, stem and cob was investigated.The growth of the maize, and especially its yield of dry matter, were influenced by the weather conditions during the season. The weight of fresh crop varied, with season and treatment, from 126 to 278 (averaging 209), and of dry matter from 20 to 70 (averaging 50) cwt./acre.Thinning below the established plant populations of up to 30,000 plants per acre regularly reduced these yields. Top-dressing with sulphate of ammonia increased them in 1947 and 1949, but decreased them in 1948.The yield of crude protein varied from 2.2 to 5.0, and of soluble carbohydrates from 12 to 46 cwt./acre. The top-dressing increased the protein content of all portions of the plant.The cob contributed, on a weight basis, 46% of the fresh crop, 49% of its dry matter, 54% of its crude protein and 54% of its soluble carbohydrates. Details are given of the chemical composition of the whole plant, and of its separate leaf, cob and stem, for each season and treatment.A later paper will deal with the making of silage from the maize crops and with the yield, composition and nutritive value of the silage.


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