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Ensiling Characteristics of Tift Sudangrass and Coastal Bermudagrass¹

Dairy Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens

ABSTRACT

The ensiling characteristics of Coastal Bermudagrass and Tift Sudangrass were compared in two experiments. Coastal Bermudagrass is difficult to chop finely and hard to compact in the silo, whereas Tift Sudangrass is easily chopped and packed. Larger spoilage and gaseous losses were experienced with Coastal Bermudagrass, but little or no seepage came from this forage. Some seepage was obtained from the Tift Sudangrass. Over-all losses of dry matter were about equal in the two species. Both the Tift Sudangrass and the Coastal Bermudagrass silages were well preserved and losses were quite reasonable. Preservation of nutrients in both compared favorably with an oats, ryegrass, and crimson clover mixture. Tift Sudangraass silage was much higher in organic acids than Coastal Bermudagrass. In this respect Tift Sudangrass is more similar to oats, ryegrass, and crimson clover and to most northern-type forages. The Coastal Bermudagrass had a higher pH and a higher level of ammoniacal nitrogen. Higher peak temperatures were exhibited in the Coastal Bermudagrass silage and these tended to persist for a longer time. The repeatability of results from silos filled in succession was quite good, indicating that the experimental techniques and the biological changes are such as to give confidence in the results.

¹ Journal Paper no. 457 of the College Experiment Station, University of Georgia, Agricultural Experiment Stations.