Abstract

Sudangrass, pearl millet, sorghum-sudangrass, and forage sorghum silages and sorghum-sudan hay were full-fed to yearling steers in a 90-day trial. Forage sorghum was harvested in the dough stage; the other four forages, in the late-vegetative stage. Steers consumed an average of 12.5% more hay than silage the first 42 days; hay feeding was discontinued then for lack of supply. At 90 days, steers fed forage sorghum silage out-performed those fed the other three silages. Compared with forage sorghum, the other silages had relative feeding values (based on rate and efficiency of gains) of 75% for sudangrass , 62% for pearl millet, and 68% for sorghum-sudan.

Keywords: Cattlemen's Day, 1980, Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station), 377, Beef, Silage, Hay, Growing steers

How to Cite:

Bolsen, K., Ilg, H., Axe, D. & Thompson, W., (1980) “Summer annual silages and hay for growing steers”, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports 1(1), 40-42. doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2617