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Whole Plant Grain Sorghum Silage Processing and Lasalocid Effects on Stocker Calf Performance and Rumen Fermentation¹

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station 77843

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of whole plant grain sorghum silage processing and dietary lasalocid on stocker calf performance, digestibility and rumen fermentation. Two silage treatments and three concentrations of lasalocid (0, 33 and 49 ppm) were examined in a 100-d growth trial. Lasalocid at 33 ppm depressed feed intake of steers without affecting weight gain and, therefore, improved feed efficiency. Lasalocid at 49 ppm did not improve feed conversion over that observed in controls. Both concentrations of lasalocid increased rumen propionic acid and decreased acetic acid levels. Lasalocid did not affect ruminal concentrations of isobutyric, valeric or isovaleric acids. Dry matter intake and animal weight gain in the growth trial were greater for steers fed the nonprocessed whole plant grain sorghum silage (NPS) with grain in the whole form than for those fed processed silage (PS) with the grain rolled before ensiling. Feed efficiency was similar for steers fed the two silage treatments. Processing treatment did not influence ruminal acetic propionic, isobutyric or isovaleric acid proportions. In a digestion trial, post-ensile rolling of the grain and stover of whole plant grain sorghum silage increased (P<.05) in vivo starch digestion above levels observed for PS or NPS silages. Digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and acid detergent fiber were similar for all silage treatments.

¹ Approved as Technical Article 16895 of the Texas Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci., Texas A&M Univ.

³ Supported in part by grants from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, TAMU Center for Energy and Mineral Resources, Hoffman-La Roche, Nutley, NJ and P & M Products, Inc., San Antonio, TX.