Comparative intake,digestibility and utilization of guinea grass by buffaloes and cattle

J.B. Liang and M.N. Samiyah

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to comparc voluntary intake. dry matter (DM) digestibility (in vivo collection and nvlon bag methods)and related parameters for buffaloes and cattlc catine guinca grass cut at 4 weeks and 10 weeks of age. The daily DM intake for buffaloes and cattle was 6.0 kg and 4.6 kg respectivcly for thc 4-week old grass treatment and 5.1 kg and'1.1 kg respectively for the l0-week old grass trcatment. The DM intake per kg W0.75 for buffaloes and cattle was only significant for the 10-week old grass treatment (74.8g and 64.7g respectively) The in vivo DM digestibility data for the two breeds given thc same grass were almost identical.However, DM degradability in nylon bags incuhated in the rumen suggested significantly higher rate of digestion in the buffalo rumen. Although there were no significant differences between the ME intake per kg W0.75 of the two breeds eating same grass' the values were always in favour of the buffaloes. The ME intakes for buffaloes and cattle eating the 4- week old grass were well above the maintenance requirements and resulted in considerable liveweight gain. However, in the l0-week old grass treatment. the ME intake of buffaloes was marginally above maintenance while the cattle recorded negative energy retcntion and liveweight change.

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