Assessment of Growth Performance, Yield, and Chemical Composition of Italian Ryegrass, Crimson Clover, and Sugar Beet, Aimed at Sow-feeding in Southern Kyushu, Miyazaki

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  • MAKALANI Andrew Livingstone
    Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Agriculture and Engineering, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
  • KAWASHIMA Tomoyuki
    Department of Animal and Grassland Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
  • ISHII Yasuyuki
    Department of Animal and Grassland Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
  • TAKAHASHI Toshihiro
    Department of Animal and Grassland Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan

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<p>Forages are crucial for livestock production yet underutilized in monogastric animals. Silage feeding can alleviate hunger stress for restrictedly fed pregnant sows. This study aims to identify promising winter forages or combinations for sows’ diets in southern Kyushu. Italian ryegrass (IR), crimson clover (CC), and sugar beet (SB) were cultivated in single-plots and mixed-plots of CC and SB with three subplots to be harvested at the pre-bloom stage, wilted, and ensiled in 30-liter plastic silos. Forage growth performance and chemical properties were determined on fresh samples and three months post-ensiling silages. Annual dry matter yield was the highest from SB, then the mixed yield of CC and SB plots, IR, and CC (1,992.6, 1,353.0, 1,183.0, and 692.8 g/m2, respectively). Besides, the mixed yield of CC and SB slightly surpassed CC alone and matched SB alone, indicating a positive complementary effect. Legume CC had higher protein and non-fiber carbohydrates, while grass IR had more neutral detergent fiber than the others. Silage pH ranged from 3.97 to 5.53, with the lowest in SB, followed by IR, mixed CC and SB, and the highest in CC alone. Feeding trials indicated that both pure and mixed CC silages hold the potential for sow nutrition.</p><p>Journal of Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan 68 （1）: 1-11, 2025</p>

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