Forage Quality and Grazing Performance of Beef Cattle Grazing Brown Mid-rib Grain Sorghum Residue

Authors

• Andrea K. Schwarz, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
• Corineah M. Godsey, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Matt K. Luebbe, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
• Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Robert B. Mitchell, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Jeffrey F. Pedersen, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-1-2008

Comments

Published in 2008 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

The control (CON) grain sorghum hybrid AWheatland x RTx430 and its near-isogenic brown midrib counterpart (BRM) containing the gene bmr-12, were used in a 72-day residue grazing experiment. Grain yield averaged 119 bu/ac and was not affected by treatment. ADG was increased from 0.75 lb in CON to 1.23 lb in BMR treatments over the grazing period. NDF digestibility increased 6%-12% units in leaf fractions in BMR over CON. NDF digestibility decreased 2%-12% units over the 72-day grazing period for both hybrids. Similarly, NDF digestibility of stem fraction increased 14%-19% units in BMR over CON. NDF digestibility of the stem fractions remained constant, regardless of treatment, over time.