| Abstrakt: |
The nutritive value of ensiled corn, non-bird resistant sorghum (NBRS), and bird resistant sorghum (BRS) was compared in sheep growth and digestion trials. The treatments were dried, high-moisture and acid-treated high-moisture (acetic-propionic acid mixture). Eight crossbred wethers (avg 34 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to each ration in the growth study. Four similar wethers (avg 41.6 kg) were assigned to each treatment in the digestion trial.Only acid-treated grains were mold-free by plate-count analysis. Two of three untreated high-moisture grains developed pH values below those noted in the acid-treated grains, although detectable levels of mold were observed in the untreated high-moisture grains. Dry grains supported substantial mold counts, although mold was not visually apparent.Results of the growth study indicated that either sorghum was consumed at slightly higher levels than corn, despite the higher levels of tannins associated with BRS grains. Over all storage methods, corn and BRS were utilized most and least efficiently, respectively, in producing weight gain. Average daily gain was greatest for lambs fed corn. |
