Abstract
A metabolism trial with four castrated male Brahman cattle, average body weight 320 kg, was conducted in order to determine the nutritive value of chopped sugarcane stalk (CSS) for the establishment of feeding strategy in the dry season in Northeast Thailand. Animals were subjected to the following four dietary treatments: Treatment 1; 100% of CSS, Treatment 2; 70% of CSS and 30% of commercial complete feed (TMR), Treatment 3; 40% of CSS and 60% of TMR, and Treatment 4; 100% of TMR. The average CP, ether extracts, nitrogen free extracts, crude fiber and ash contents of CSS were 2.0, 0.9, 79.0, 16.1 and 2.2%, respectively. Although the amount of feed given was approximately at maintenance level, animals in treatments 1 and 2 refused a part of feed. The metabolism trial revealed that total digestible nutrient and metabolizable energy contents of CSS were 61.5% and 9.04 MJ/kgDM, respectively, when it was properly supplemented with protein sources. Nutritive value of CSS was lowered when animals were given CSS solely. This was due to the large loss of energy into urine and methane. Voluntary intake of CSS in cattle was not enough to satisfy energy requirement for maintenance. The CSS can be used as a roughage for feeding cattle in the dry season with proper supplementation of protein and energy. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 1 : 55-60)
Highlights
(Kawashima et al, 2001a) revealed that sugarcane in the Northeast was characterized by a relatively high ratio of stalk, and very low ratio of top
Sugarcane stalk could be a promising roughage for feeding cattle because of its high yield under the severe environment prevailing in Northeast Thailand
This study aimed at analyzing digestion and metabolism of cattle fed chopped sugarcane stalk (CSS) and determining the nutritive value of CSS in order to set up feeding strategy for cattle in the dry season
Summary
(Kawashima et al, 2001a) revealed that sugarcane in the Northeast was characterized by a relatively high ratio of stalk, and very low ratio of top. Sugarcane stalk could be a promising roughage for feeding cattle because of its high yield under the severe environment prevailing in Northeast Thailand. Feed shortage in terms of quantity and quality in the dry season is a key constraint on further development of dairy production as well as beef production, which is mainly caused by harsh environment such as the shortage of water, saline soils etc. It is necessary, to exploit locally available feed resources and to develop feeding strategies compatible with the local environment in the region. In the light of this, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) may be utilized as cattle feed in the dry season
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