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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146791
Title: EFFECT OF BMR-6 AND BMR-18 BROWN MIDRIB GENES ON FORAGE SORGHUM SILAGE IN LACTATING DAIRY RATIONS

Author
item OLIVER, A - UNI OF NE
item GRANT, R - UNI OF NE
item Pedersen, Jeffrey

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2003
Publication Date: 6/22/2003
Citation: OLIVER, A.L., GRANT, R.J., PEDERSEN, J.F. EFFECT OF BMR-6 AND BMR-18 BROWN MIDRIB GENES ON FORAGE SORGHUM SILAGE IN LACTATING DAIRY RATIONS. AMERICAN DAIRY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION PROCEEDINGS. 2003.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Diets of normal sorghum, brown midrib bmr-6 sorghum, bmr-18 sorghum, and corn silage were fed to determine the effect of these two sorghum brown midrib genes on lactational performance, ruminal metabolism, and digestion. Sixteen multiparous Holstein dairy cows (including four ruminally fistulated) averaging 124 ¿ 68 DIM were assigned to one of four diets in a replicated Latin square design with 3-week periods. Diets comprised of 40 % test silage, 10 % alfalfa silage, 3.7 % whole cottonseed, and 23.6 % concentrate mix. Cows were housed in a tie-stall barn and fed in individual feed boxes. Lignin was decreased in the bmr-6 and bmr-18 sorghum silage when compared to the normal sorghum silage. In addition, the normal sorghum silage had greater NDF and ADF than bmr-6, bmr-18, and corn silage. There was greater DMI for bmr-6 (25.2 kg/d) sorghum silage than bmr-18 (23.4 kg/d) sorghum silage while no difference was seen between sorghum silages and corn silage. Milk production (kg/d) and 4% FCM were significantly greater (P < 0.10) for those consuming the bmr-6 sorghum and corn silage than normal sorghum silage. Silage source had no effect on overall chewing time. Eating time was increased (P < 0.10) with the normal and bmr-18 sorghum silages. Rumination time was greatest with bmr-6 sorghum silage. Corn, bmr-6, and bmr-18 sorghum silage had greater (P < 0.10) DM digestibility when compared to normal sorghum silage. Corn silage and bmr-6 sorghum had higher NDF digestibility (P < 0.10) when compared to bmr-18 and normal sorghum silage. Key Words: Brown Midrib, Sorghum, Milk Production, Dairy Cattle