Whole plant grain sorghum silage processing and lasalocid effects on stocker calf performance and rumen fermentation

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of whole plant grain sorghum silage processing and dietary lasalocid on stocker calf performance, digestibility and rumen fermentation. Lasalocid at 33 ppm depressed feed intake of steers without affecting weight gain and, therefore, improved feed efficiency. Dry matter intake and animal weight gain in the growth trial were greater for steers fed the nonprocessed whole plant grain sorghum silage (NPS) with grain in the whole form than for those fed processed silage (PS) with the grain rolled before ensiling. Feed efficiency was similar for steers fed the two silage treatments. In a digestion trials, post-ensile rolling of the grain and stover of whole plant grain sorghum silage increased(P < .05) in vivo starch digetion above levels observed for PS or NPS silages. Digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and acid detergent fiber were similar for all silage treatments.