TOTAL MIXED RATION SILAGE USING GUINEA GRASS

Abstract

The aim of this project is to evaluate the production process and use of total mixed ration silage (TMRS) containing Guinea grass replacing the total ration (TR) for lambs feedlot about the fermentation characteristics of silage and rumen, performance and quality of meat and carcass. The experiments will be carried out of (i) performance at UNESP of Ilha Solteira and (ii) nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics in UEPG considering lambs as ruminant model. The performance trial will be in complete randomized block design and 8 repetitions. Treatments will be composed of four diets (15% CP) and present 50% its dry mass (DM) from Guinea grass where TMRS_70: TMRS consists of Guinea grass harvested at 70 cm high and 50% of concentrate; TMRS_130: TMRS consists of harvested Guinea grass harvested at 130 cm high and 50% of concentrate; TR_70: TR composed of Guinea grass harvested at 70 cm high and ensiled with 23% of citrus pulp in DM + 35% of concentrate (mixture daily) and TR_130: TR composed of Guinea grass harvested at 130 cm high and ensiled with 23% of citrus pulp in DM + 35% of concentrate (mixture daily). Will be evaluated in the silage DM losses by effluent and gases and pH, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ammonia-N, animals average daily weight gain, feed efficiency, individual consumption and carcass quality and yield. Ruminal parameters will be evaluated in square design Latin 4x4, being evaluated ruminal pH, total SCFA and N ammonia. Statistical analyzes will be performed with the help of SAS through means comparison to 5% probability. (AU)