• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.1389-1393
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• 2001

A study was carried out to investigate the nutritive value and utilization of three grass species, batiki grass (lschaemum aristatum var. indicum), guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and signal grass (Bracharia decumbens) by growing goats. Eighteen growing crossbred goats $(Anglo-Nubian{\times}Fiji\;local)$ of between 9-11 months of age and pre-trial average live weight of $9.50{\pm}1.60kg$ were divided on the basis of weight to three treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The grasses constituted the diets and they were harvested fresh and chopped into pieces before they were offered to the goats. Chemical composition of the grasses, DMI, body weight gain (BWG) and apparent nutrient digestibility coefficients were measured. The grasses had similar DM content. The CP content of the grasses was in the range of 8.3-11.2%. Crude fiber (CF) content was between 30.9-35.2%. Ether extract (EE) was low with a range of 1.2-1.8%. Nitrogen free extract (NFE) was similar (40.9%) for batiki and guinea grasses, while signal grass had more NFE content (51.1%). The grasses are good sources of minerals (ash). OM content was higher in signal grass while guinea and batiki grasses had similar OM content. The goats on signal grass had higher DMI than those on batiki and guinea grasses (p<0.05). The goats on batiki grass had lower average BWG (p<0.05) than those on guinea and signal grasses. Nutrients digestibility were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the goats on signal grass compared to those on guinea and batiki grasses. The goats on guinea grass were better (p<0.05) in the digestibility of CP, OM, NFE and ME than those on batiki grass. However, goats on batiki were significantly better (p<0.05) in digestibility of CF than those on guinea grass. Signal and guinea grasses had more DCP than batiki grass. DE was lower in batiki grass (p<0.05) than in guinea and signal grasses. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between batiki and guinea grasses in TON. Data obtained in this experiment demonstrated that signal grass is better than guinea and signal in the nutrition of growing goats in the tropical environment of Samoa. It had the highest nutritive value, better apparent digestibility coefficients which have better growth rate and feed efficiency. In ranking, signal grass was better than guinea and batiki grasses, while guinea grass was better than batiki in nutritive value in the parameters measured. For future pasture establishment in Samoa, signal grass is recommended for consideration because of its higher nutritive value as a replacement for batiki, the most predominant grass.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.305-318
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• 2021

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage legume grown in Kansas, USA and its productivity with cool-season grasses however is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the dry matter yield (DMY) and forage nutritive value of alfalfa-grass mixtures compared to those of alfalfa and grasses grown in monoculture with and without nitrogen fertilization. Three different alfalfa varieties were planted (reduced-lignin alfalfa, Roundup Ready, and conventional alfalfa) and two kinds of cool-season grasses (smooth brome, Bromus inermis Leyss, and tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb) were planted as a monoculture or in alfalfa-grass mixtures. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea) was applied at green-up at a rate of 56 kg/ha and after the second cutting at a rate of 56 kg/ha in 2016 and 2017, respectively. and control treatments received no nitrogen. DMY was significantly higher in monoculture alfalfa and alfalfa-grass mixtures than in grass monocultures. Between alfalfa monoculture and alfalfa-grass mixtures, no significant differences in DMY were found. For all treatments, nitrogen application significantly increased DMY compared to the control. In 2016 and 2017, the low-lignin alfalfa monoculture had the lowest acid detergent fiber (ADF) and the grass monocultures had the highest ADF. In 2016 and 2017, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in smooth bromegrass and tall fescue was higher than in other species treatments. A low-lignin alfalfa monoculture had significantly lower NDF concentration compared to alfalfa-grass mixtures. When averaged over 2016 and 2017, relative feed value (RFV) was highest in low-lignin alfalfa and lowest in the grass monocultures. In both years, nitrogen fertilizer application did not affect nutritive values.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 1992

Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) harvested at an early growth stage was ensiled with 4% of molasses in a polyethylene bag silo which contained 15 kg of chopped forage each. Dry matter (DM) content of the silage was so low as 14.75%, although chemical quality of the silage was very high. Ratio of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen was 6.59%, and the pH value of the silage was 3.79. Nutritive value of the silage was estimated using goats and compared to that of a timothy hay as a reference ration. Feeding level of each rations was adjusted to a level of nitrogen (N) recommendation. DM and N digestibilities of the silage were 65.0 and 54.5%, respectively, but those of the timothy hay were 37.6 and 37.2%. Feeding of the napier grass silage maintained body weight and kept positive N retention. Ammonia N concentration in the rumen fluid in goats fed the napier grass silage increased after feeding, but blood urea concentration was constant. Feeding of the timothy hay did not increase ammonia N concentration in the rumen fluid, but increased blood urea concentration. These facts indicated that the napier grass silage had enough digestible DM and N for maintenance ration to goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 1989

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of frequency of defoliation on the ensiling characteristics and nutritive value of Guineaecotype 'A' (Panicum maximum Jacq) grass. Guinea grass harvested at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-week cutting intervals was chopped (2 cm) and ensiled alone or with the addition of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) meal (w/w-fresh weight basis), for periods of 6, 7 or 8 weeks in 2-litre laboratory silos. Dry matter, water soluble carbohydrates, lactic acid, pH, ash, nitrogen and digestibility in vitro were measured in representative samples of preensiled and ensiled material. Dry matter content of silages prepared from herbage harvested at 2 and 3 weeks intervals was lower (P<0.05) compared to longer defoliation intervals. The pH of silage prepared from herbage over 8 weeks old were higher (P<0.05) than those harvested below 8 weeks. The water soluble carbohydrate content of silage prepared from 3-weekly defoliated herbage was higher (P<0.05) than those prepared from longer periods. Lengthened growth period decreased (P<0.001) the crude protein content of the ensiled material, whereas the addition of coconut meal resulted in marginal increases. In vitro organic matter digestibility of the silages decreased (P<0.05) with the increase in forage maturity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.996-1002
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• 2003

A 6 (accession)${\times}$5 (cutting interval) factorial experiment was conducted over two years to investigate the effect of stage of growth on herbage production, nutritive value and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of Napier grass and Napier grass${\times}$Pearl millet hybrids (hybrid Pennisetum). The purpose of the experiment was to determine the optimum stage of growth to harvest the Pennisetums for ensilage. Two Napier accessions (SDPP 8 and SDPP 19) and four hybrid Pennisetum (SDPN 3, SDPN 29, SDPN 38 and Bana grass) were compared at five harvest intervals (viz. 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). Basal fertilizers were similar in all treatment plots, although nitrogen (N) top-dressing fertilizer was varied proportionately, depending on the harvesting interval. The application was based on a standard rate of 60 kg N/ha every six weeks. Stage of growth had significant effects on forage yield, WSC content and nutritive value of the Pennisetums. Herbage yields increased in a progressively linear manner, with age. Nutritive value declined as the harvesting interval increased. In particular, crude protein content declined rapidly (p<0.001) from $204g\;kg^{-1}$ DM at 2 weeks to $92g\;kg^{-1}$ DM at 8 weeks of growth. In vitro dry matter digestibility decreased from 728 to $636g\;kg^{-1}$ DM, whilst acid and neutral detergent fibre contents increased from 360 and 704 to 398 and $785g\;kg^{-1}$ DM, respectively. Rapid changes in nutritive value occurred after 6 weeks of growth. The concentration of WSC increased in a quadratic manner, with peaks ($136-182g\;kg^{-1}$ DM) at about 6 weeks. However, the DM content of the forage was low ($150-200g\;DM\;kg^{-1}$) at 6 weeks. Therefore, it was concluded that Pennisetums should be harvested between 6 and 7 weeks, to increase DM content and optimize herbage production without seriously affecting nutritive value and WSC content. Accessions SDPN 29 and SDPP 19 appeared to be most suited for ensilage. It was suggested that WSC content should be incorporated as a criterion in the agronomic evaluation and screening of Pennisetum varieties.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1663-1668
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• 2004

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential nutritive value of commonly found grasses collected at native pasture in West Sumatra, Indonesia during dry and rainy seasons. Variables measured included chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, concentration of Ca, P and Mg, gas production and metabolizable energy (ME) content of the grasses. The results showed that species and season had significant effect on chemical composition and mineral concentration. Crude protein content in the dry season ranged from 6.5% (B. decumbens) to 14.4% (P. maximum) and increased slightly from 7.8% (B. decumbens) to 14. 8% (A. compressus) in the rainy season. Data on fiber fraction showed that grass contained more NDF, ADF and ADL in dry season than in rainy season. Data on mineral concentration showed that C. plectostachyus and P. maximum in dry season had higher Ca than those of other species, while in rainy season P. maximum had highest Ca concentration. In dry season, the DMD varied from 50. 4% (P.purpuphoides) to 59.1% (P. purpureum), while in rainy season ranged from 50.3% (A. gayanus) to 61.8% (P. purpureum). The potential and rate of gas production were significantly (p<0.05) affected by species and season. During dry season, potential of gas production ranged from 21.8 ml/200 mg (A. compressus) to 45.1 ml/200 mg (C. plectostachyus), while in rainy season it varied from 35.6 ml/200 mg (A. gayanus) to 47.5 ml/200 mg (P. purpureum). ME content of grasses varied from 6.0 to 8.3 MJ/kg in dry season and increased slightly from 6.4 to 8.6 MJ/kg in rainy season. Both in dry and rainy seasons, the highest ME content was occurred in P. purpureum and C. plectostachyus. In conclusion, nutritive value of the observed grasses in West Sumatra, Indonesia was relatively higher during rainy season compared with dry season. Pennisetum purpureum and Cynodon plectostachyus had the best nutritive value in both dry and rainy seasons.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.366-377
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• 2013

We examined the nutritive value of common grass species in the semi-arid rangelands of Borana in southern Ethiopia using local experience based herbage preference (LEBHP) perception and laboratory techniques. Local pastoralists in the study area were asked to identify common grass species and rank them according to the species' preferences and palatability to cattle. The pastoralists listed a total of 15 common grass species which were then sampled during the main rain and cold dry seasons and analyzed for crude protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and ash content to verify pastoralists' claim regarding the quality of individual species. The relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were also calculated using NDF and ADF contents. Spearman's rank correlation was used to examine possible relationships between laboratory results and pastoralists' experience on grass quality. Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Digitaria milanjiana, Eragrostis papposa and Panicum maximum were the top five species based on LEBHP perception. There were indications of inconsistency in terms of LEBHP perception among the different pastoral communities. The chemical composition of all grass species showed significant (p<0.05) variation between sites, seasons and species. The results showed that the CP values for the Borana rangelands were in the range of 8.7% in the main rain season to 5.1% for the cold dry season. The fiber constituents were relatively low in the main rain season compared to the cold dry season. Overall, Digitaria milanjiana had the highest CP (16.5%) content, while the least was recorded with Heteropogon contortus (10.8) and Aristida adoensis (9.8%) during the main rain season. It seems that the spatial variability of landscapes within the wider geographical regions, soil properties and texture, and land-use patterns probably contributed to site differences in species quality. Generally, the RFV of individual grass species was significantly (p<0.05) varied between and within sites. The ranking of species by pastoralists according to their preferences by cattle was highly correlated with the chemical composition of laboratory results of individual grass species with 'r' values for CP (0.94), ash (0.95), NDF (-0.98), ADF (-0.93) and ADL (-0.93). We suggest the complimentary use of LEBHP and laboratory techniques in evaluating the nutritive quality of rangeland forage species for sustainable animal production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1518-1523
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• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate nutritive value of forages commonly used as ruminant feeds in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Seven species of grasses and five species of legumes were collected during the rainy season. The results showed that chemical composition, in vitro digestibility of dry matter (DMD), organic matter (OMD) and crude protein (CPD), in vitro gas production and metabolizable energy (ME) content greatly varied among the species of grass and legume forages. The CP content ranged from 6.6 to 16.2% in grass and from 17.5 to 29.1% in legumes; while NDF content of grass and legume ranged from 57.2 to 66.2% and from 24.4 to 55.6%, respectively. The DMD, OMD and CPD of grass ranged from 49.1 to 62.2%, 51.9 to 64.4% and 50.5 to 60.3%; while in legumes the values ranged from 59.1 to 71.8%, 65.2 to 72.0% and 68.2 to 71.6%, respectively. The ME content of grass varied from 6.4 to 9.3 MJ/kg and from 6.5 to 8.3 MJ/kg for legumes. In general, within species of grass Cynodon plectostachyus contained higher CP but was lower in NDF that resulted in much higher digestibility; a similar result was also found in Leucaena leucocephala for the legumes. The two forages also contained much higher ME than the others. In conclusion, the nutritive value of forages in North Sumatra, Indonesia during the rainy season was relatively high as ruminant feed, with the best quality noted for Cynodon plectostachyus and Leucaena leucocephala.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.295-301
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• 1992

Eight crop residues : 1, sorghum (Sorqhum bicolor) straw, 2, maize (Zea mays) straw, 3, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) straw, 4, sunflower (Helianthus Sp.) straw, 5, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) seed hulls, 6, groundnut (Archais hypogaea) hulls, 7, maize (Zea mays) cobs, 8, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse and two forest grasses 9, Heteropogan contortus dry grass and 10, Sehima nervosum dry grass were subjected to three physical processing 1, chopping (2-3 cm) 2, grinding (8 mm sieve) and 3, pelleting (10 mm die holes). The processed material was fed ad lib. Along with 250 g of concentrate mixture per head per day to 6 adult local goats and 16 adult Nellore rams in ten digestion experiments and finally assessed the nutritive value of the processed roughages by difference method. Grinding increased bulk density by 32.4 (cotton seed hulls, CSH) to 88.1% (Sehima dry grass) while pelleting of ground material increased bulk density by 53.9 (maize cobs) to 235.8% (maize straw). The average particle size ranged from $584.1/^U$ (sorghum straw) to $1467/^U$ (CSH). Modulus of uniformity ranged from 2:5:3 (sorghum straw) to 7:2:1 (CSH) while modulus of fineness ranged from 3.4 (sorghum straw) to 5.4 (CSH). Molasses absorbability was highest with cotton seed hulls and least with maize cobs. Pelleting increased DM intake of the residues except cotton seed hulls compared to grinding. Grinding of chopped material/unprocessed material increased DM intake on sorghum straw and cotton seed hulls. Sheep consumed more DM compared to goats on all the residues except sorghum and sunflower straws. Pelleting increased nutritive value of all the residues compared to grinding and chopping. However, no difference was observed in the nutritive value due to grinding and chopping. Goats performed better compared to sheep in utilizing the fibrous residues.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.510-519
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• 2021

One of the most pressing issues facing the dairy industry is drought. In areas where annual precipitation is low, irrigation for growing feed presents the greatest water-utilization challenge for dairy producers. Here, we investigated the effects of cultivar and harvest days after planting (DAP) on dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of teff (Eragrostis tef), a warm-season annual grass native to Ethiopia that is well adapted to drought conditions. Eighty pots were blocked by location in a greenhouse and randomly assigned to four teff cultivars (Tiffany, Moxie, Corvallis, and Dessie) and to five harvest times (40, 45, 50, 55, or 60 DAP). Cultivars had no effect on DM yield and nutritive value. As harvest time increased from 40 to 60 DAP, DM yield and ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) concentrations increased, while crude protein (CP) concentrations and in vitro NDF digestibility decreased. To assess carryover effects of time of harvest on yield and nutritive value, two additional cuttings were taken from each pot. Increasing first-cutting harvest time decreased CP concentrations in the second cutting and reduced DM yields in the second and third cutting. Harvesting teff between 45 and 50 DAP best optimized forage yield and nutritive value in the first and subsequent cuttings.