The nutritive value of Panicum maximum (guinea grass). III. Factors affecting voluntary intake by cattle and water buffaloes

Abstract

Dry-matter intake (D.M.I.) from Panicum maximum(guinea grass) was studied in digestibility trials with Holstein and water buffalo bulls and in a feeding trial with lactating cows. Differences in voluntary D.M.I. per unit body weight0·73 between the Holsteins and water buffaloes were not significant. Average D.M.I. for all bulls in all main trials was 2·16 kg per 100 kg B.W. Average D.M.I. by the lactating cows was 2·08 kg per 100 kg B.W., for all practical purposes the same as for the bulls. D.M.I. was not related to stage of maturity or season of harvest of the guinea grass. Intakes of digestible protein, T.D.N., and digestible energy in different seasons and at different growth stages were related to the percentage of those nutrients in the grass. Correlation coefficients were 0·68 between D.M.I. and B.W.0·73, 0·59 between D.M.I. and T.D.N. content, and 0·58 between D.M.I. and crude protein content, D.M.I. was not closely related to dry-matter content (r = 0·30) or crude fibre content (r= 0–01) of the guinea grass. © 1968, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.

Source or Periodical Title

The Journal of Agricultural Science

ISSN

218596

Page

67-71

Document Type

Article

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