Studies on the nutritive value of hybrid Napier, sorghum and Sudan grass

Data are given on chemical composition of hybrid Napier [Pennisetum purpureum X P. americanum] cv. NB 21 at the pre-flowering stage, and sorghum cv. JS 20 and JS 73/53 and Sudan grass cv. SSG 59-3 at the flowering stage. In feeding trials with crossbred calves, DM intake was highest from JS 20 and the lowest from NB 21. The values for digestible energy and TDN contents were highest in JS 20, intermediate in NB 21 and lowest in SSG 59-3. The in vitro and in vivo DM digestibility values were also highest in JS 20. The DCP contents were slightly lower in JS 20 than in other cultivars. It was concluded that the feeding value of NB 21 is similar to that of sorghum cultivars