Ruminal fermentation parameters of diets containing high moisture sorghum silage in replacement of high moisture corn silage were studied in 12 dry cows (584 kg of BW). A completely randomized design was used with three treatments: high moisture sorghum silage replacing high moisture corn silage at levels of 0, 50, and 100%. Diets contained high moisture corn or sorghum silages, extruded soybean, urea, oat hay (Avena sativa sp.), mineral supplement and monensin. The trial extended for 21 days, the last one used for ruminal sampling at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 hours after meal. Additionally, in situ degradability of oat hay dry matter and neutral detergent fiber was evaluated. There was not difference in total volatile fatty acids (VFA) production in the rumen, molar percentage of acetate, propionate and butirate, acetate/propionate ratio, ruminal pH, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration, ruminal liquid turnover and ruminal liquid volume. Degradability of hay dry matter and neutral detergent fiber was not different. No improvement on the ruminal fermentation parameters with the association of grains was observed.
cows; degradability; high moisture; nutrition; rumen
