Grazing selectivity and in vivo digestibility of switchgrass strains selected for differing digestibility

Animal selectivity and digestibility differences among switchgrass strains selected for different in vitro dry matter digestibilities (IVDMD) were measured in a grazing trial with esophageally fistulated steers and a sheep digestion trial. Extrusa selected by esophageally fistulated steers grazing high-IVDMD (Trailblazer), Pathfinder and low-IVDMD strains of switchgrass were compared, as were top and whole plant hand-clipped samples from each strain. Trailblazer extrusa had higher (P less than .1) in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD) and lower (P less than .1) NDF and ADF than Pathfinder extrusa. Extrusa from all three strains appeared to be of higher quality than top or whole plant hand-clipped samples. In vitro organic matter disappearance tended to be highest for Trailblazer top hand-clipped samples. Composition of hand-clipped samples among strains was not significantly different. Mature crossbred wethers were used to compare Trailblazer and Pathfinder switchgrass hay in a digestion trial. No differences (P greater than .1) were detected between strains for DMI or apparent digestibility of DM, NDF, ADF and CP. Extrusa from Trailblazer switchgrass that had been selected for whole plant IVDMD had higher IVOMD; however, there was no indication that steers selected a differentially higher IVOMD for one strain than another.