Abstract
The introduction of new forage maize hybrids has provided feed raw materials with a range of nutritional characteristics. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the impact of feeding different hybrids of forage maize on the overall digestibility of feed components and rumen degradability of starch in sheep.Four forage maize hybrids from different sites within the UK[NANCIS(A) and EMA(B)] and France[Hybrid 6196 High Oil (C) and Volgata Waxy(D)] were ensiled in sealed drums with no additives. The resultant silages were used as the basis for a digestibility trial using four fistulated Suffolk X wethers in a 4 X 4 factorial design. Sheep were fed twice daily with total intake of 900 g DM of silage plus 150g Soya Bean Meal. After an adaptation period (21d) a 5 day total collection of faeces was carried out followed by a rumen degradability study.
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