Intake and digestibility of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L. Moench) silages with different tannin contents in sheep

Abstract

-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the voluntary intake and digestibility of three sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L. Moench) hybrid silages in sheep. The hybrids used were H1 -BRS 655 (CMSXS 222 A × CMSXS 235 R), with tannin; H2 -(ATF54 A × CMSXS 235 R), without tannin; and H3 -BRS 610 (CMSXS 232 A × CMSXS 234 R), without tannin. The intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude protein (CP) were measured. Eighteen crossbred sheep weighing 59.4 kg (±8.3) were used in the trial. A completely randomized design with three treatments (hybrids) and six repetitions (sheep) was used. There were no differences in the DM intake or apparent digestibility among the hybrids. Silage of hybrid BRS 610 displayed higher digestibility coefficients for CP, NDF, ADF, and GE compared with the other silages, which did not differ from each other. The neutral detergent fiber, ADF and digestible energy (DE) intakes were similar among the hybrids silages. All of the hybrids resulted in a positive N balance in sheep. The levels of DE were superior in hybrid silage BRS 610 in comparison with the other hybrids. Sorghum hybrid BRS 610 silage exhibited superior nutritional value compared with the other hybrids, which is most likely in part due to the absence of tannins. Sorghum silage made with hybrid BRS 610 (CMSXS 232 A × CMSXS 234 R) presents superior gross energy, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility coefficients, as well as greater digestible energy levels than BRS 655 (CMSXS 222 A × CMSXS 235 R) and (ATF54 A × CMSXS 235 R).

Nutritive value of ensiled Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixture

“…On the other hand grasses typically have higher NDF content and lower DM digestibility as compared to corn and alfalfa silage. The observed DM digestibility in the present study was higher than DM digestibility of alfalfa silage (Hassanet et al, 2014) and sorghum silage with different tannin content (Teixeira et al, 2014), but lower than DM digestibility of corn silage (Hassanat et al, 2014) and grass silage (Yan & Agnew, 2004). The apparent fiber digestibility and NDF or ADF were high (>69%).…”

Ensilage potential and nutritional value of Columbus grass (Sorghum almum Parodi) at different phenology and storage duration in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria

“…The NDF content of forage is an important indicator of the amount of DM that could be consumed by ruminants owing to its ability to limit feed intake as a result of filling effect (de Teixeira et al, 2014; Mertens, 1987; Oba & Allen, 1999) However, the high fiber content of sorghum silage is considered its greatest nutritional limitation when compared with corn silage (Bolsen et al, 2003). In this study, the NDF and hemicellulose content of S. almum increased quadratically from boot to dough stage (due to the addition of fibrous components of the spikelet) and subsequently declined at the maturity stage.…”

“…The estimated low DMI of the silages produced from S. almum ensiled at the dough stage was due to the high concentration of NDF in this treatment. There is a negative correlation between NDF and DMI; therefore, the former is used to predict the later (de Teixeira et al, 2014; Horrocks & Vallentine, 1999b; Mertens, 1987; Oba & Allen, 1999).…”

Ensiling Sorghum with Urea, Aerobic Exposure and Effects on Intake, Digestibility, Ingestive Behaviour and Blood Parameters of Feedlot Lambs

“…Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor , L. Moench), in arid and semi-arid conditions and high altitudes, presents higher growth when compared with corn that promotes greater silage production. The use of this silage in the feed of ruminants is attributed to factors such as lower soil fertility requirements, lower production costs and the possibility of a second cut, as well as greater resistance to drought and high temperatures [ 1 ]. However, despite its nutritional value, in some situations when sorghum is ensiled with undesirable characteristics such as a higher content of water-soluble carbohydrates, it is associated with increased acetic acid, or alcoholic silage because of ethanol production, and prone to aerobic deterioration.…”