EVALUATION OF CORN AND SORGHUM-SUDAN SILAGES ON THE BASIS OF DRY MATTER INTAKE, DIGESTIBILITY AND MILK PRODUCTION

Abstract

Sorghum-sudan (S-S) silage and corn silage were compared on the basis of dry matter intake and milk production when fed to lactating cows and on the basis of digestibility when fed to wether Iambs. Although dry matter percent was lower for the S-S silage, 21.5 vs. 27.4, average daily dry matter intake was nearly the same, 63.4 vs. 64.4 g/kg W0.75 when compared with corn silage. Average daily milk production and total body weight change were significantly less (P < 0.05), 218.7 vs. 234.4 g/kg W0.75 and − 7.0 vs. + 10.7 kg, respectively, for cows fed S-S silage. Rumen fluid from cows fed corn silage contained a significantly lower molar percent acetic acid and higher butyric acid (P < 0.01) than rumen fluid from cows fed S-S silage. Digestibility coefficients were greater (P < 0.01) for corn silage dry matter, nitrogen-free extract, fiber and energy, but significantly less for protein (P < 0.01) when compared with S-S silage. The high nitrogen content and protein digestibility suggest that sorghum-sudan hybrids may be usefully employed in ruminant rations, although they are low in digestible energy content when compared with corn.