MILLET SILAGE COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL GRASSES: QUANTITATIVE, QUALITATIVE, AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract In this assay, we evaluated morphological composition, agronomic parameters, dry matter yield, and the silage fermentative process from pearl millet, sorghum, and corn plant with or without ears within different silos opening times (3, 7, 15, 30, 60, and 120 days). Effluent and gas release from silages were also evaluated besides its chemical composition and protein fractioning. Production costs of all silages were estimated. We also estimate milk production according to different silages dry matter production. Evaluated cultivars were, ADR-7010 (pearl millet), BRS-610 (sorghum), AG-5055 (corn), and IAC-86-2480 (sugarcane). Significant differences were observed for both production as well as chemical composition and production costs. Pearl millet did not prove to be competitive when compared with other forages. However, as winter crop, pearl millet could be profitable due to the low water exigencies when compared to the other crops.