Quality of eastern gamagrass compared with switchgrass and flaccidgrass when preserved as hay

摘要: Abstract Eastern gamagrass [ Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] (GG) hays were harvested May 23 when vegetative (GG-V) and 28 days later (June) reproductive culms developing (GG-R) compared. The GG-V hay was further compared with a switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) (SG) 29. GG-R also late-early-boot flaccidgrass Pennisetum flaccidum Griseb.) (FG) on the same day. Forages direct-cut flail chopper, artificially dried (24 h) in forced-air bulk dryer (82 °C), baled after drying, stored, without processing fed to Suffolk wethers Ovis aries ) 4 × latin square design. had similar apparent dry matter digestion coefficients averaging 0.64 SG FG 0.61, respectively. All concentrations of crude protein (100 g kg −1 ), neutral detergent fiber (715 acid (373 hemicellulose (342 cellulose (305 lignin (58 ). Dry intake (kg/100 body weight) for (2.42) (2.19) (2.27), but higher (1.27). Nitrogen (N) retention, as percent total N intake, GG (23% 33% GG-R) than either (15%) or (14%). Differences retention reflected excreted urine. shows potential useful perennial C grass ruminant production systems.