Digestibility and forage production from a pasture of molassesgrass (Melinis minutiflora, Pal de Beauv). Phase II. Dry season

Abstract

A digestion trial was conducted in order to determine the nutritive value of molassesgrass (Melinis minutiflora, Pal de Beauv) during the dry season in Pirassununga State of São Paulo -Brazil. Three young  crossbred Holstein vs Zebu bulls were kept in cages during seven days for collection, after eight-day adaptation period to the forage. Fresh chopped grass was fed to the animals after 240, 300 and 360 days of grass growing periods. Digestible nutrients in the grass were as follows: after 240 days: (DDM-digestible dry material=12,7%; DP-digestible protein=zero; DEE-digestible ethereal extract=3,3%; DCF-digestible fibers=20,9%; DNFE-digestible unazotated extract=20,4% and TDN-total digestible nutrients=44,6%; after 300 days: DDM=16,5%; DP=zero; DEE=2,4%; DCF=22,8%; DNFE=18,5% and TDN=43,7%; after 360 days: DDM=26,0%; DP=zero; DEE=0,7%; DCF=23,8%; DNFE = 20,0% and TDN = 44,5%.