Agricultural Science Digest 
Vol. 13, March-April, 1971	PURDUE UNIVERSITY

SUDAN GRASS AND SORGHUM SUDAN
GRASS AS FORAGE

In a controlled grazing system, Sudan
Grass and Sorghum Sudan cross were com-
pared as to plant composition and feeding val-
ue for sixteen lactating Holstein cows.

The study, in which the effects on milk
production and bodyweight changes were stud-
ied in situations where Sudan and Sorghum-
sudan served as the only forage, was conduct-
ed for 50 days with ten-day grazing periods
per plot.

Production was similar for the two cow
groups, but milk production was generally
more persistent for the cows on Sudan. Cows
grazing Sudan grass gained more bodyweight
during the trial.

Sudan grass is an important forage for
animal pasture and green chop utilization.
New Sorghum-Sudan grass hybrids, when com-
pared to Sudan grass varieties have generally
resulted in higher yields when mechanically
harvested. However, these hybrids have not
always outyielded Sudan when both were man-
aged under simulated grazing systems. No
significant differences in lactating dairy cow
response have resulted when these served as
the only source of forage under managed graz-
ing although in previous studies no persistency
differences have been reported.

Journal paper 4421, M. D. Cunning-
ham and W. W. Ragland, Department
of Animal Sciences

ROASTED CORN VALUE STUDIED FOR
DAIRY HEIFERS, LAMBS

Growing dairy heifers and lambs register-
ed faster weight gain on less feed when fed
roasted corn as a part of their ration, recent
research data indicates.

Similar amounts of corn dry matter
were consumed when heifers received either
normal or roasted corn fed free choice.
When both were restricted to 37 per cent of
the total ration, heifers required significantly
less of the roasted corn per kilogram of body-
weight gain during the 90 day trial.

Bodyweight gains were similar with the
exception that heifers receiving roasted corn
gained faster during the first 30 days. Feed-
er lambs receiving 27 per cent roasted corn
ration gained 11 per cent faster than lambs
fed a similar ration containing raw corn.

Journal paper 4418, M. D. Cunning-
ham and T. W. Perry, Department
of Animal Sciences

A NEW HORMONE MONITORING TECHNIQUE

A sensitive double antibody radioimmuno-
assay to trace growth hormone levels in pigs
has recently been developed.

The technique is specific for only growth
hormone and measures the antigen activity of
pituitary proteins. Use of this technique for
measurement has enabled researchers to test
the growth hormone levels of pigs under dif-
ferent environments, and to determine their
relationship to stress susceptibility.

Journal paper 4431, D. N. Marple,
Department of Animal Sciences

POSTMORTEM SHORTENING, TEN-
DERNESS OF PORK

Postmortem muscle shortening of pork,
the "cold shortening" phenomenon, and its
relationship to meat quality has been under
study by researchers. Investigations have
shown that the likelihood of shortening in the
muscle is influenced by a variety of factors,

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