Abstract
Two experiments investigated the effects on silage quality of adding cassava chips at a range of levels to a sorghum forage plus Cavalcade legume hay mixture at ensiling at the Experimental Farm, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Cavalcade hay was 15% of chopped sorghum fresh weight and cassava chips were added at 0, 5, 10 and 15% of chopped sorghum fresh weight. The first experiment utilized sorghum and Cavalcade main crops and the second used the ratoon crop of sorghum and 2 nd cut of Cavalcade. Dry matter percentage of ensiled mixtures and silages increased (P<0.05) with an increase in cassava chip levels in both experiments, but CP and NDF concentrations decreased (P<0.05). Dry matter degradability increased (P<0.05) with an increase in cassava chip levels up to 10% in both main and ratoon/2 nd cut silages. Digestible energy and metabolizable energy of both silages increased significantly with an increase in cassava chip levels up to 10% for main crop and 15% for ratoon/2 nd cut crops. While addition of cassava chips improved digestibility and energy content of silage, it lowered CP concentration. Use of fresh Cavalcade instead of hay should increase the CP levels and should be investigated along with animal feeding studies to test acceptance and animal performance. Keywords: DMD, CP, sorghum silage, grass-legume silage, Centrosema pascuorum , silage additives. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)262-270
Highlights
Sorghum cultivation for use as livestock feed in Thailand began in 1962
Excellent silages can be made from forage sorghums, crude protein (CP) concentrations decrease with increase in stage of maturity (Black et al 1980; Pholsen and Higgs 2005)
The main sorghum crop gave a dry matter degradability (DMD) value significantly (P
Summary
Sorghum cultivation for use as livestock feed in Thailand began in 1962. Sorghum cultivars were compared from 1962 to 1966 to select for grain yield and quality (Senanarong 1977). Excellent silages can be made from forage sorghums, crude protein (CP) concentrations decrease with increase in stage of maturity (Black et al 1980; Pholsen and Higgs 2005). This drop in CP can be counteracted by including a forage legume at ensiling, e.g. sugarcane tops plus leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leaves (Sangchote et al 1992) or pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha) plus Thapra stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184) (Khuamangkorn et al 2006). Cavalcade) than Thapra stylo resulted in a lowered silage pH (Namsele et al 2007)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
