Art- och sortskillnader i fodervärde hos gräs

First cut of 5 grass species of in total 19 varieties at 3 times in 2019, and 5 species, 14 varieties at 2 times in 2020 were harvested at Svalöv. The species were meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall fescue (Lolium arundinacea), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.)The grasses were cut at the boot stage and 10 days later, and in 2019 also 2 days before boot. The grasses were analysed for different feeding values. The effects of year, time and species were studied. Year and time of cut had effect on most parameters. There were many differences between species but few between varieties, except for maturity. Timothy had less protein, more lignin and lower digestibility, but was cut later then the other grasses. There were significantly lower amounts of lysine and methionine in perennial ryegrass. The profile of carbohydrates in perennial ryegrass differed from the other grasses with lower content of carbohydrates containing fibre and higher content of non-fibre carbohydrates. The amount of fructans was especially high in perennial ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass had the highest level of energy. The level of linoleic acid varied a lot between species. It was high in timothy and low in meadow fescue and tall fescue. There were big differences in mineral content between species. Tall fescue had higher amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids due to a higher content of p-coumaric acid.