NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF HEAT DAMAGED BERMUDAGRASS BY LAMBS

摘要

The impact of heating-degree day (HDD) accumulation in stored bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] was evaluated for nutrient utilization by lambs. Hays selected for this study had previously undergone spontaneous heating, producing either 9, 214, 362, 491, or 722 HDD (> 95 °F) during a 60-d storage period. Dry matter (DM) intake did not differ (P=0.59) among hays. Apparent digestibilities of DM, organic matter, neutral-detergent fiber, neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen, and hemicellulose,and apparent N absorption (g/d and % of N intake) decreased (P 0.05) with increasing HDD. Therefore, spontaneous heating during the storage of bermudagrass hay has a negative effect on dry matter and fiber digestion and nitrogen absorption by lambs.