Composition, Intake, Digestibility, and Prediction of Digestibility of Coastal Bermudagrass Hays

Abstract

The com-position, intake, and digestibility of 15 Coastal Bermudagrass hays were studied. Ranges in percentage composition were Crude protein, 6.1 to 14.7; crude fiber (CF), 28.5 to 36.9; lignin, 9.3 to 11.4; ash, 3.7 to 6.2; Ca, 0.29 to 0.97; P, 0.15 to 0.41; and Mg, 0.08 to 0.22. Digestible protein varied from 2.5 to 9.4% and could be predicted with a high degree of accuracy from crude protein (CP) by the equation, Y = (0.821) (%CP) -2.57, where Y is percent estimated digestible protein (EDP). Mean TDN content of the hays was 54.9%, with a range of 52.3 to 62.2%. The equation Y = [3079 + (%EDP x 14) - (%CF x 36.84) + 3563] x 100, where Y is estimated TDN (ETDN) resulted in good agreement between TDN and ETDN contents of the hays, and had a S.D. [plus or minus] 0.85%. The TDN contents of the hays were correlated negatively with CF, cellulose and lignin and were correlated positively with total and invert sugars, and cold-and hot-water extractables of the hays (P < 0.05). Mean daily intakes of the hays per 100 lb. of body weight were correlated positively with CP and ash and were correlated negatively with lignin contents of the hays (P <0.05).