LAUSR

Sixteen Rahaji breed beef cattle (112.00 ± 0.15 kg body weight (BW)) were randomly assigned to one of four rations differing in the degree of substitution of sorghum straw with Cattail ( Typha domingensis ) silage. Growth performance, feed intake, blood profile, and economics of production were evaluated. Completely randomized design was used, and the feeding trial lasted for 42 days. Cattle were fed a total mixed ration of roughage:concentrate (400:600) g/kg dry matter and gamba hay free choice. The control diet (T0) contained 400 g/kg sorghum straw, expressed on a dry matter basis (DM). For additional treatments, Typha silage (TS) was included at 100 (T10), 200 (T20), and 300 (T30) g/kg of the mix replacing an equal DM weight of sorghum straw. Growth rate was similar ( P  > 0.05) regardless of the TS level. DM (5160.77–5524.96 g/d) and crude protein (846.36–955.82 g/d) intakes were higher ( P  < 0.05) in T20 and T30 diets, while the acid detergent fiber intake (471.27–512.46 g/d) reduced ( P  < 0.05) in TS-based diets. Red blood cell concentrations of cattle fed TS-based diets increased ( P  < 0.05). The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations of cattle fed T20 diet decreased ( P  < 0.05) in comparison with the control. Sodium and albumin concentrations were higher ( P  < 0.05) in cattle fed TS-based diets. Total cost of feeding ($ 49.60–61.62) decreased ( P  < 0.05) in TS-based diets, while the gross benefit of cattle fed 300 g/kg TS diet ($ 74.98) was enhanced relative to cattle fed T0 and T10 diets. TS can be considered a new resource of feed for cattle.