Effects of elephant grass silage on production performance and serum biochemical indices of beef cattle

Gui Ganbei; Zeng Ze; Dai Fangqiang; Wan Hai; He Yong; Zhang Huaqi

doi:10.20154/j.cnki.issn1672-9692.2025.01.009

Abstract：This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of elephant grass silage on production performance and serum biochemical indices of beef cattle,and to determine the appropriate proportion of elephant grass silage in beef cattle breeding and production.A total of 32 Simmental hybird beef cattle with similar body weight were randomly divided into four groups with eight replicates per group and one replicate per beef cow.The whole corn silage in the total mixed diet was replaced by 0,20%,40%and 80%elephant grass silage,respectively.The pre-feeding period lasted for 7 days,and the formal experiment period lasted for 90 days.There were no significant differences in final weight,average daily gain and feed to gain ratio of Simmental hybrid beef cattle with 20%and 40%elephant grass silage instead of whole corn silage in the whole mixed diet(P>0.05).Using 80%elephant grass silage instead of whole corn silage could significantly reduce the average daily gain and significantly increase the feed to gain ratio of Simmental hybrid beef cattle(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the use of 40%elephant grass silage instead of whole corn silage significantly decreased the activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and cholesterol levels in serum of Simmental hybrid beef cattle(P<0.05),and significantly increased the globulin level(P<0.05).The use of elephant grass silage instead of whole corn silage had no significant effects on other serum biochemical indices(P>0.05).The results showed that adding the proper amount of elephant grass silage in the diet could improve the health level of Simmental hybrid beef cattle,regulate blood lipids,improve liver function and enhance immunity,and had no negative effect on growth performance.The suitable addition ratio of elephant grass silage to replace whole corn silage in total mixed diet is 40%.