
About Sugarcane Tops
Major byproduct of sugarcane milling process comprising of 15-25% of total plant aerial parts of the plant.
Nutritional value and use in livestock rations
Sugarcane Tops is a roughage (forage) and an energy source in the Pakistan Feed Library. On average sugarcane tops contains crude protein 6.4% of dry matter, metabolisable energy 1.7 Mcal/kg, TDN 45.8% of dry matter, NDF 67.1% of dry matter.
Energy-yielding forages and crop residues supply fibre and energy at a low cost. They are normally balanced with protein sources, minerals and, where needed, concentrates so that animals receive complete nutrition.
Nutrient values vary with variety, growing conditions, processing and storage, so treat the averages as a guide. Send us your ration details if you would like advice on using it in a TMR.
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Nutritional analysis
| Nutrient | Unit | Average | SD | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry matter | % | 26.8 | 4.5 | 18.1 | 35.6 |
| Crude protein | % DM | 6.4 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 8.3 |
| Ash | % DM | 6.9 | 0.8 | 5.6 | 7.9 |
| Fat (ether extract) | % DM | 1.5 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.9 |
| Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) | % DM | 67.1 | 3.2 | 62.7 | 70.7 |
| Acid detergent fibre (ADF) | % DM | 37.2 | 3.3 | 32.4 | 40.2 |
| Total digestible nutrients (TDN) | % DM | 45.8 | 3.6 | 40.7 | 49.4 |
| Metabolisable energy (ME) | Mcal/kg | 1.7 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
| Net energy – maintenance (NEm) | Mcal/kg | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| Net energy – gain (NEg) | Mcal/kg | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Net energy – lactation (NEl) | Mcal/kg | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Digestible energy (DE) | Mcal/kg | 2.0 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 2.2 |
- Literature values
- Laboratory analysis
- Calculated from lab data
SD = standard deviation DM = dry matter. Nutrients other than dry matter are expressed on a dry-matter basis. TDN = total digestible nutrients; ME, NEm, NEg, NEl and DE = metabolisable, net (maintenance / gain / lactation) and digestible energy.



