The digestibility and intake of six varieties of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana)

Abstract

The dry matter digestibility and voluntary intake of six varieties of Rhodes grass cut on eight occasions were measured with sheep in metabolism cages. The maximum difference between varieties in digestibility percentage was 2.6 (P<0.01) for monthly regrowths and 1.1 (P<0.05) for older regrowths. The corresponding maximum differences for voluntary dry matter intake (g/W0.75/day) were 2.2 (P<0.05) and 3.5 (P<0.01). The differences in feeding value were therefore small and it was concluded that the chances are not good of selecting Rhodes grass varieties that have a superior feeding value.