Feeding Value of Dwarf Corn Silage Compared with Corn and Hybrid Sorghum Silages

Abstract

Twenty-seven lactating cows were used in a continuous study of 119 days to compare the feeding value of silages made from dwarf corn, hybrid forage sorghum, and corn. No significant differences in dry matter consumption, FCM production, or body weight changes were observed. Four dairy steers were used in 12 observations to determine the coefficients of digestibility and TDN of the three silages. Dwarf corn silage was significantly superior in digestibility to corn and hybrid sorghum silages and corn silage was significantly superior to sorghum silage. Yield of fresh and dry forage per acre was lower for dwarf corn than for either corn or hybrid sorghum. TDN yield per acre was highest for corn silage, followed by dwarf corn silage and hybrid sorghum silage. © 1965, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.