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THE EFFECT OF SORGHUM GRAIN VARIETY ON SITE AND EXTENT OF DIGESTION IN BEEF HEIFERS^1,2

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078-0425

To determine the effect of sorghum grain variety on site and extent of digestion, three pureline sorghum varieties (Darset, Dwarf Redlan, 1133) and a commercially purchased millrun sorghum grain were dry-rolled and fed in an 88% grain diet to Angus-Hereford heifers (230) kg) equipped with ruminal, duodenal and ileal T-type cannulas. Darset is a normal endosperm, high tannin, bird-resistant (BR) type (normal-BR); Dwarf Redlan is a waxy endosperm, low tannin, non-BR type (waxy); 1133 is a waxy endosperm, high tannin, BR type (waxy-BR). The millrun sorghum, representative of most commercial sorghum grain, was a normal endosperm, non-BR type (normal). Diets were fed at 2% of BW (DM basis) in a 4 x 4 latin square. Total tract starch digestibility was similar (P > .05) for all varieties, averaging 90.8%. Ruminal starch digestion tended to be greater (P = .13) for BR types (normal-BR, 75.2%; waxy-BR, 77.3%) than for non-BR types (normal, 68.7%; waxy, 74.1%). Starch digestibility prior to the cecum was greater (P < .10) for varieties with a waxy endosperm than for varieties with a normal endosperm (84.8 vs 78.6%). The large intestine tended to be more important (P < .10) as a site of starch digestion (% of total tract digestion) for varieties with a normal endosperm compared to varieties with a waxy endosperm (13.2 vs 7.2%). Total tract apparent non-NH3 N digestibility was greater (P < .01) for non-BR types than for BR types (66.4 vs 50.9%). Additionally, ruminal feed N disappearance was greater (P < .05) for non-BR than for BR types (50.1 vs 30.1%). Sorghum with a waxy endosperm tended to have increased postruminal N digestion. Nitrogen disappearance (% of total tract disappearance) was nearly complete by the ileum for all varieties (98.4%). Sorghum grain variety altered the site and extent of nutrient digestion in cattle.

Key Words: Sorghum Grain • Starch • Protein • Digestion • Beef Heifers

² The assistance of Dave Buchanan in statistical analysis is greatly appreciated.

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				J. C. Marini, D. G. Fox, and M. R. Murphy Nitrogen transactions along the gastrointestinal tract of cattle: A meta-analytical approach J Anim Sci, March 1, 2008; 86(3): 660 - 679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]