Yokota et al., 1998. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 11 (6): 697-701

To improve silage quality and utilization by goats, napier grass, P. purpureum, was ensiled with molasses (MOL) and/or defatted rice bran (DRB). Napier grass was harvested at the growing stage in July and cut into 3-cm lengths. The grass was mixed with 4% MOL and/or 15% DRB, ensiled (15 kg each) into plastic bags and stored for 9 months. DM content of silage ensiled with MOL (MOL-silage) was 13.4%, but increased to 20% with DRB addition. The addition of MOL decreased pH value and ammonia-N content, but increased lactic acid content. MOL-silage contained 6% spoilage, but addition of DRB decreased spoilage to <1%. Goats were fed on silage at 2.25% (on a DM basis) of their body weight. Goats fed DRB- or MOL/DRB-silages maintained N retention while those fed on MOL-silage did not. Rumen fluid of goats fed on DRB-silage tended to be higher in acetic acid and lower in propionic acid than those fed the other silages. Ammonia in the rumen fluid, urea-N in the blood and urinary N excretion were lowest in goats fed on MOL/DRB-silage. The ratio of retained N to N intake was highest in goats fed on MOL/DRB-silage. It is concluded that addition of DRB to napier grass increased DM of silage and decreased the volume of spoilage. The combination of MOL and DRB can improve the fermentation quality and thus enhance utilization of the silage by goats.