The evaluation of artificially dried grass as a source of energy for sheep:I. The effect of stage of maturity on the apparent digestibility of rye-grass, cocksfoot and timothy

Abstract

1. Three species of grass, rye-grass (two varieties, S 23 and S 24) cocksfoot (variety S 37) and timothy (variety S 48) were cut at various stages of maturity, dried and given at several planes of nutrition to sheep in respiration chambers. The detailed chemical composition of the grasses and the apparent digestibility of the constituents were studied.