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Ruminant Nutrition and Forage Utilization
Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 1992;5(1): 33-37.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.1992.33    Published online March 1, 1992.
Nutritive value of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) silage ensiled with molasses by goats
H. Yokota, T. Okajima, M. Ohshima
Abstract
Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) harvested at an early growth stage was ensiled with 4% of molasses in a polyethylene bag silo which contained 15 kg of chopped forage each. Dry matter (DM) content of the silage was so low as 14.75%, although chemical quality of the silage was very high. Ratio of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen was 6.59%, and the pH value of the silage was 3.79. Nutritive value of the silage was estimated using goats and compared to that of a timothy hay as a reference ration. Feeding level of each rations was adjusted to a level of nitrogen (N) recommendation. DM and N digestibilities of the silage were 65.0 and 54.5%, respectively, but those of the timothy hay were 37.6 and 37.2%. Feeding of the napier grass silage maintained body weight and kept positive N retention. Ammonia N concentration in the rumen fluid in goats fed the napier grass silage increased after feeding, but blood urea concentration was constant. Feeding of the timothy hay did not increase ammonia N concentration in the rumen fluid, but increased blood urea concentration. These facts indicated that the napier grass silage had enough digestible DM and N for maintenance ration to goats.
Keywords: Napier Grass; Pennisetum purpureum Schum; Silage; Nutritive Value; Goat


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