Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradability of fresh (FSC) and ensiled (ESC) sugarcane.  In situ dry matter degradability (DMD) was determined using the nylon bag technique with four cows equipped ruminal fistulas. Cows were fed with fresh or ensiled sugarcane and supplemented with 1 kg of commercial concentrate. Five grams of ground sample for each sugarcane treatment (FSC or ESC) were weighted in nylon bags and incubated for 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h in a completely randomized design with six replicates. The DMD (%) was higher (P<0.05) for FSC in most incubation times compared with ESC, except at 24 h of incubation. There were no differences in ruminal pH between treatments during all the incubation times. Data suggested that the sugarcane silage could be an alternative to provide forage for ruminants during the season of low growth and quality grass in Mexico.

Key words: Sugarcane, degradability, cows.

Abbreviation

FSC, Fresh sugarcane; ESC, ensiled sugarcane, DMD, dry matter degradability; DM, dry matter; CP, crude protein; OM, organic matter; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; ADF, acid detergent fiber.