COMPOSITION, INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF TIMOTHY AND ITALIAN AND WESTERWOLDS RYEGRASS SILAGES

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Abstract
Timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and Italian and Westerwolds ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were harvested as first-cut wilted silages in 1979 and 1980 and were compared on the basis of composition, intake and digestibility. Timothy silage had more cell wall content and was less digestible than the annual ryegrass silages in both years (P < 0.05). Seeding year timothy was consumed less than Aubade ryegrass in 1979 but the postseeding year timothy silage was equal in intake to 1980 Aubade silage but inferior to Italian ryegrass in digestible protein content and also intake (P < 0.05). Leafier Italian and Promenade ryegrasses were consumed more than the stemmy Aubade ryegrass (P < 0.05). Annual ryegrasses were not significantly different in their composition during 1979 but in 1980, Italian ryegrass contained less cell wall and was more digestible than Aubade ryegrass silage (P < 0.05). Prolonged field wilting in humid weather appeared to be more detrimental to the stemmy Aubade for intake and feed value than to the leafier Promenade and Italian ryegrasses. Seeding year timothy silage had lower feed value than the postseed year timothy silage.Key words: Silage, timothy, annual ryegrass, intake, digestibility, composition