Effects of mixed sugarcane tops and napiergrass silages on fermentative quality, nutritional value, and milk yield in water buffaloes

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sugarcane tops (STs) and napiergrass (NG) silage on fermentative quality, nutritional value and milk yield in water buffaloes. Silage were prepared either conventionally without ST (C) or mixed with 25% (S1), 50% (S2), and 75% (S3) ST based on fresh matter. Twenty‐eight lactating buffaloes were divided into four groups with seven replicates and fed four experimental diets containing the corresponding silages. The S3 silage fermented well with a higher (P < 0.05) lactic acid content and lower (P < 0.05) pH and ammonia‐N level than those of other mixed silage. Silage with increasing ST proportions showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, organic matter, and gross energy. As a result, water buffalo fed S3 silage increased dry matter intake (P < 0.05) and tended to have higher milk yield and feed efficiency as compared with the C group. Our study indicates that adding ST improves NG silage fermentation and enhances the nutrient digestibility and milk production in water buffaloes, and mixing ratio of 25%NG and 75%ST had the highest lactate fermentation quality and presented a high feed value.