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Effect of Stage of Growth and Chopping Length on Digestibility and Palatability of Guinea-‘A’ Grass Silage¹

University of Peradeniya, Perideniya, Sri Lanka and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

Abstract

Trials were conducted to investigate the digestibility and voluntary intake of Guinea-‘A’ (Panicum maximum, Jacq - Ecotype ‘A’) silage by sheep. Two-week and 3-wk growth of Guinea-‘A’ grass was harvested and ensiled chopped or unchopped into polyethylene-lined 210-liter metal drums. Wethers averaging 22 kg initially were used, and feces were collected by means of light harness and canvas bag. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were higher (P < .01) for the 2-wk than for the 3-wk growth silage. Chopping the grass before ensiling increased (P < .01) the apparent digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose by wethers, compared with unchopped forage. In the voluntary intake trial no differences were observed for DM intake by wethers due to growth stage of the grass. Chopping increased (P < .01) actual DM intake by 26%.

¹ Supported by U.S. Agency for International Development.

² Present address: Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

³ Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ.

⁴ Present address: P. O. Box 100, IAEA, A-1400, Vienna, Austria.