Protein and energy value of pearl millet grain for mature goats.
We conducted two studies to assess the protein and energy value of pearl millet grain (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) for mature goats. In Exp. 1, 15 2-yr-old male castrated goats were gradually introduced over a 4-mo period to three all-grain diets consisting of 100% corn (Zea mays L.), 50:50 corn:pearl millet, and 100% pearl millet. After the adjustment to all-grain feeds, the goats were fed the diets in metabolism crates for 2-d adjustment and 7-d total collection periods. For Exp. 2, complete diets containing the three grain treatments (corn, 50:50 corn:pearl millet, and pearl millet) as 40% of the total DM as fed (the remainder was mainly alfalfa meal and mineral supplement) were balanced to contain 16% crude protein (CP) and 2.24 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/kg on an air-dry basis. Twelve mature (4- to 6-yr-old) buck goats were randomly assigned to diets and fed in pens for 14 d and then moved to metabolism crates for 10-d adjustment and 10-d total collection periods. In Exp. 1, DM intake was unaffected by dietary treatment, but digestibility of DM and organic matter was lowest (P < .10) in goats fed 100% pearl millet. Digestibility of complete diets also decreased (P < .10) as corn was replaced by 50 or 100% pearl millet, but DM intake increased (P < .10) on the 100% millet diet. In both experiments, substituting pearl millet for corn had no effect on nitrogen retained by the goats. Metabolizable energy of pearl millet was only 92% that of corn, but ME intake was similar when the grains were fed as 40% of the dietary DM. Pearl millet has potential as a major energy feed for goats in areas where it can be economically produced.
Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, GA 31030, USA.
T H
TH
Terrill
S
S
Gelaye
E A
EA
Amoah
S
S
Miller
B
B
Kouakou
R N
RN
Gates
W W
WW
Hanna
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000592:standards; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards*; D004063:Digestion; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000592:standards*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011897:Random Allocation; D012417:Rumen / Q000737:chemistry; D015144:Southeastern United States; D003313:Zea mays
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009584:Nitrogen