Digestibility in sheep fed diets based on increasing levels of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Abstract

Digestibility and voluntary feed intake were studied in eight sheep when sugar cane was substituted for corn silage. Animals were randomly allocated to four treatments: A) only corn silage; B) 66% silage and 33% sugar cane; C) 33% silage and 66% sugar cane; D) only sugar cane. Soy bean meal, minerals and vitamin A were also used. Feed consumption and dry matter digestibility showed no difference among treatments. Nitrogen-free extract digestibility was higher in treatment D than treatment A. Digestibility average values for treatments A, B, C. and D were, respectively; dry matter 49.31; 48.85; 54.76 and 53.85%; crude protein 46.04; 55.53; 56.24 and 54 4 9% ether extract 50.89; 59.54; 55.77 and 47.82%; crude fiber 49.42; 39.99; 45.40 and 44.78%; nitrogen-free extract 54.68; 55.73; 60.80 and 64,00%