Abstract
Italian ryegrass was cut on Aprill 30 (I), May 10 (II), May 19 (III, before heading), and May 24 (IV, heads just showing), and four lots of sun-dried hay were made. They were analyzed and evaluated for digestibility in rabbits. The results obtained are summarized as follows.
1. The later was cut the grass, the poorer was the hay made of it in crude protein and crude fat and richer in crude fiber. Differences in compsition between hay III and hay IV were remarkable.
2. The later was cut the grass, the lower was the digestibility of all the nutrients of the hay made of it. The digestibility of hay IV decreased remarkably.
3. The later was cut the grass, the poorer was the hay made of it in digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients. The contents of digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients of hay IV lowered remarkably.
4. Yields per are of dry matter, digestible crude protein, and total digestible nutrients were calculated, and the optimum stage of maturity to cut the grass was discussed.
