Effect of Storage Place and Storage Period on Nutritive Qualityof Hay Produced from Three Forage Grasses

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of storage place and storage period
on the proximate composition, in vitro gas production and post incubation
parameters of hay produced from A. gayanus, B. decumbens and P. pedicellatum.
The two storage places were in the room and in the shed while the storage periods
were 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Results of this study showed that the dry matter (DM), crude
protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF) and ash of the hays produced from
the three grasses were significantly affected (P<0.05) by the interactive effect of the
storage place, storage period and species. Brachiariadecumbens produced higher
(P<0.05) DM (99.50%) in the shed at 4 weeks of storage (WS) and a lower DM
(86.20%) in the room at 12 WS. Ether extract of Andropogongayanus and B.
decumbens significantly (P<0.05) differed at both storage places and at the three
storage periods. Brachiariadecumbens produced higher (P<0.05) (14.50%) and
lower (4.50%) EE contents in the room at 4 and 12 WS respectively. Similarly, ash
contents of the hays significantly (p<0.05) ranged from 3.50% in the storage of B.
decumbens in the shed for 12weeks to 36.33% for storing P. pedicellatum in the room
for 4 WS. Cumulative in vitro gas production of the grasses though similar (p>0.05)
increased over the incubation periods. The post incubation parameters of the hays
were all similar (p>0.05), except the organic matter digestibility (OMD) values
(p<0.05).It is concluded that the CPcontents of the three grasses fell below ruminant
requirement and slightly declined with increase in storage period, thereby
suggesting earlier harvesting before the onset of dry season and serious
lignification. Andropogongayanus and B. decumbens proved to be better hays vis-avis storage in the shed, higher crude protein and dry matter contents while P.
pedicellatum possessed better ash contents. Conclusively, it is more economical to
store grass hays in the shed as there was no distinct difference in the results obtained
in the two storage places.