Pangolagrass (Digitaria decumbens) and stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) harvested at 30, 45, and 60 days and made in to hay, were fed to four castrated male ruminants (goats and steers) in individual digestion stalls. The grasses were fertilized at the rate of 4,480 kg/ha/yr with 15-5-10, harvested, sun-dried for 2 days and cut in 3- to 6-cm pieces. Each experimental period lasted 21 days, divided into a 14-day preliminary feed ing period and a 7-day collection period. Each hay was offered at a level of 90% intake, as determined in the preliminary period. Hays, offered and refused, and feces were weighed and sampled daily. Representative samples were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, neutral-detergent fiber, acid-detergent fiber, cellulose, lignin, and silica. Hemicellulose was determined as the difference between neutral-detergent fiber and acid-detergent fiber. Apparent digestion coefficients for each fraction were calculated on all hays and all ruminants. Pangolagrass dry-matter intake was significantly (P < .01) greater than that of stargrass hay by both goats and steers. No significant differences in dry-matter intake were obtained between hay ages of 30, 45, and 60 days. Goats had a higher dry-matter intake (P < .01) than steers. Significant differences were obtained between hays in neutral-detergent fiber (P < .01), hemicellulose (P < .01), and cellulose (P < .05) contents and between hay ages in crude protein (P < .05), cellulose (P < .01), lignin (P < .05), and silica (P < .01) contents. For digestibilities, significant differences were obtained between hays in dry matter (P < .05), neutral-detergent fiber (P < 05), and cellulose (P < .01); between hay ages in lignin (P < .01) and silica (P < .01); and between ruminants in dry matter (P < .01), neutral-detergent fiber (P < .01), acid-detergent fiber (P < .01), hemicellulose (P < .01), and cellulose (P < .01). Goats may not necessarily substitute for steers in digestion trials; and lignin, but not silica, tends to be a valid marker for determining digestibility.

Six varieties of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sorghum X sudangrass hybrids (S. bicolor X S. sudanese), six varieties of grain sorghum (S. bicolor) and three varieties each of maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) were grown in 1.2 x 3.7 m plots at the Lajas Experiment Substation. All plots were harvested in the boot, flower and dough stages. Ratoons of the sorghum varieties were also harvested after 45 days of regrowth until the stands diminished. The forage sorghums and maize had higher yields of green and dry material than the grain sorghums. However, only the grain sorghums showed any significant increase in yield as the crop matured. All crops decreased in nutritive value with advance in age. In general, maize was higher in nutritive value than the forage sorghums. Results indicated that forage sorghums can be recommended due to high yields of good quality forage on irrigated lands on the south coast. However, results with soybean forage were poor. It does not appear feasible to produce soybeans to enhance the crude protein content of forage pellets.