The yield, chemical composition and nutritive value of improved Ramkei (Sorghum bicolor) at different stages of maturity was investigated to decide iis bess stage of harvesttng. The green yield at boost(T1), 50% flowering (T2), and milky stages (T3) were 396.88,488.75, and 553.13 q and their corresponding dry matter yields were 119.06, 153.94, and 179.20 q per hectare, respectively. The green and dry matter yields were significantly affected due to stage of maturity. The content of DM, CP, EE, CF, NFE, and total ash on dry matter basis at T1, T2 and T3, stages were 30, 8.79, 2.05, 22.62, 55.04, and 11.50; 31.8, 7.2, 1.45, 27.37, 55.18 and 8.8; and 32.2, 4.45, 1.25, 29.12, 58.38 and 6.8% respectively. There was an increase in DM, CF and NFE and decrease in CP, EE and total ash content with maturity. The digestibility co-efflcients and amount of digestible nutrients declined with maturity. The digestibility co-efficients of DM, CP, EE, CF and NFE at 50% flowering and milky stages were 54.69, 65.11, 67.64. 58.72 and 61.85; and 52.18, 61.27, 66.36, 53.97 and 57.10% respectively, while the content of digestible dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract NFE and TDN at 50% flowering and milky stages were 17.29, 4.68, 16.07, 0.98, 34.12and 57.07; and 16.86, 2.72, 15.71 0.82, 33.33, and 53.60% respectively. The average yield of DCP and TDN at T2 and T3 stages were 7.20 and 87.85 and 4.87 and 96.05 q per hectare respectively. Nitrogen balances at the later stages were positive. Corresponding dry matter intakes/100 kg body weights were 2.71 and 2.67 kg respectively.
