HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Miller, W. J. Articles by Beaty, E. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Miller, W. J. Articles by Beaty, E. R.

Influence of Harvesting Age and Season on Digestibility and Chemical Composition of Pelleted Coastal Bermudagrass¹

Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Georgia, Athens

ABSTRACT

Coastal Bermudagrass was harvested at either 3-, 5-, or 7-wk frequencies throughout the season, dehydrated and pelleted. It was fertilized with 400 lb of N per acre in split applications. In the total fertilizer applied, the ratio of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O was 4:1:2.

Total collection digestion trials were conducted with Holstein bull calves. Digestibility of all components decreased as the age of the grass at harvest increased. In excess of 95% of the variation associated with forage age was attributed to the linear effect for dry matter, energy, organic matter, crude fiber, crude protein, ash, and NFE. Average digestibilities for forages harvested at 3-, 5-, and 7-wk frequencies were organic matter, 66.0, 60.7, and 56.8; dry matter, 65.9, 60.7, and 56.6; protein, 67.0, 58.8, and 51.7; crude fiber, 66.2, 59.1, and 54.2; and NFE, 65.3, 61.7, and 59.2. Correspondingly, calculated estimated net energy values were: 59.2, 51.2, and 45.0 therms per 100 lb.

As forage age at harvest increased, the protein content declined substantially, but there was only a moderate increase in crude fiber. There was a tendency for crude fiber levels to be highest in mid-season. On a within-harvesting frequency basis, nylon bag dry matter disappearance determined in fistulated steers tended to be lowest in the middle of the season. The 3-, 5-, and 7-wk forages contained the following percentages on a dry basis: protein, 15.3, 11.8, and 10.8, and crude fiber, 28.0, 30.2, and 30.9.

¹ Journal paper No. 376 of the College and Branch Experiment Stations of the University of Georgia, Agricultural Experiment Stations.