2022 Volume 68 Issue 1 Pages 1-7
Teff grass can be cultivated in a short growing period and is soft in texture. The present study was conducted to investigate the dry matter yield and, silage fermentation characteristics of teff grass cultivated in Kyushu, Japan, as well as its dry matter intake characteristics and ruminal fermentation in Japanese Black cows. The dry matter yield of the cultivated teff grass was 361 kg/10 a with a 40-day growing period. The teff grass silage showed fermentation characteristics typical of wilted grass silage, with a high pH (5.07), a lower acetic acid concentration than lactic acid, and a V-score value of 94 points. The dry matter intake of teff grass silage by animals was higher than that of control Sudangrass silage, and feeding on teff grass silage resulted in an increased concentration of acetate in the rumen fluid. These findings suggest that teff grass grown in the Kyushu region has high potential as roughage with higher voluntary intake for cattle.
