The Effects of Nutrient Contents and Digestible Organic Matter yield in Barley Forage Varieties Harvested at Different Maturity Stages

The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, relative feed values of the cereal forages from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) harvested at ear emergence, milk and dough stages of maturity. The crude protein content of barley forages ranged from 4.79 to 9.73%; crude ash from 4.74 to 7.13%; neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from 43.57 to 55.67%; acid detergent fiber (ADF) from 27.62 to 38.67%, acid detergent lignin (ADL) from 3.59 to 6.27%, hemicellulose from 13.79 to 22.75% and cellulose from 22.63 to 32.88%. İn vitro organic matter digestibility ranged from %44.33 to 54.43%, metabolic energy from 6.82 to 8.05 MJ/kg DM, and relative feed values from 95.73 to 142.35. As a result of this research, maturity had a significant effect on the chemical composition, relative feed values, İn vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolic energy values. Crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and cellulose contents decreased with increasing maturity whereas crude ash contents, relative feed values, in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolic energy increased (P<0.01).