E. H. El Khider and F. A. Ahmed

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira,
P. 0. Box 20, Wad Aledani, Sudan.

Summary

With the introduction of forages in the crop rotation of the agricultural schemes a thorough knowledge of their feed value for economic livestock intensification systems is necessary. Four forages, namely Berseem (Medicago sativa), Clitoria (Clitoria ternata), Forage sorghum (Sorghum vulgare var. Abu 70) and Forage sorghum Hybrid Pioneer 988, were -investigated for their intake and digestibility by cattle. The DM intake of the legume forages was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than the cereal forages. The order from high to low was Berseem, Clitoria, sorghum hybrid and Abu 70. Expressed as % of liveweight the DM intakes were 5.1, 3.6, 2.5 and 1.9 respectively. The DM digestibility of the legume forages was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the cereal forages. In all component, Berseem had the highest digestibility. Between the cereal forages Abu 70 had a higher digestibility of DM, OM and CP than sorghum hybrid. The CF digestibility of sorghum hybrid was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that of Abu 70 and Clitoria and not significantly from that of Berseem. Particularly noticeable was the significantly (P < 0.001) very high digestibility of the crude protein of the legume forages

 (82 and 86%)  as compared to that of the cereal forages (40 and 48%).

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