Intake and digestibility of, and performance by, cattle grazing Cynodon varieties
1988
Brown, W.F. | Pitman, W.D. | Mislevy, P.
Laboratory and digestion studies evaluated the nutritional value of the commercially available stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis), 'Ona', two experimental stargrasses, 'Cane Patch' and 'Puerto Rico', and the experimental bermudagrass 'Callie 35-3' (Cynodon dactylon). Ona and Puerto Rico stargrasses were also evaluated under grazing. Puerto Rico stargrass had the lowest concentration of acid detergent lignin (ADL) and ranked highest in in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD), while Callie 35-3 bermudagrass was highest in ADL and lowest in IVOMD. Callie 35-3 bermudagrass had the lowest (P=0.05) voluntary intake, with no differences among the stargrasses. In vivo organic matter and fiber digestibilities of the Callie 35-3 bermudagrass were lowest (P=0.03), with no differences among the stargrasses. Puerto Rico stargrass pastures supported greater (P=0.09) daily gain by cattle, greater (P=0.01) beef production per ha, and had a greater (P=0.13) number of grazing days than Ona stargrass pastures. Stargrass pastures fertilized with 160 kg N/ha had a greater (P=0.003) number of grazing days and supported greater (P=0.007) beef production per ha than pastures fertilized with 80 kg N/ha. Cane Patch and Puerto Rico stargrass varieties were similar in feeding value to Ona as a conserved forage, while Puerto Rico was superior to Ona under grazing conditions. Callie 35-3 bermudagrass was lower in nutritional value than the three stargrass varieties te sted.
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