Limpograss [Hemarthria altissima] Silage and Protein Supplementation as an Alternative Feed Option for Growing Heifers in North Florida
2024
Jose D. Pereira Neto | Jose C. B. Dubeux | Nicolas DiLorenzo | Igor L. Bretas | Mercia V. F. dos Santos | Martin Ruiz-Moreno | Priscila J. R. da Cruz | Erick R. da S. Santos | Luana M. D. Queiroz | Kenneth T. Oduor | Marcelo M. Vieira
Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima) is a warm-season perennial grass that has the potential to feed livestock during scarcity periods. This study evaluated the intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance of beef heifers fed &lsquo:Gibtuck&rsquo: limpograss silage combined with different levels of a range cube supplementation. Twenty-four heifers (330 ±: 16 kg live weight) were submitted to four different treatments with 6 replicates: (1) control, no supplementation + limpograss silage ad libitum: (2) 1.4 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum: (3) 2.8 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum: and (4) 4.2 kg of supplement + limpograss silage ad libitum. The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein showed a positive quadratic effect with increasing supplementation levels (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, and p <: 0.0001, respectively). Overall, the supplement improved diet digestibility and total DM intake but reduced silage intake, indicating a combined effect (substitutive and additive effect) of the protein supplement. The increasing level of protein supplement increased the average daily gain with a quadratic effect (p &le: 0.0001). Limpograss silage associated with supplementation can improve diet digestibility and increase the animal performance of growing heifers, providing an alternative for livestock in North Florida.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute