Bromatological and energy characterization of six tree species with forage potential in the dry tropic region in Sinaloa, Mexico

Livestock producers often resort to either baling or grazing of crop residues due to high hay prices and reduced supply of other forages and silage in the markets. Soil-water-crop management practices can affect residue nutrient qualities for its use as cattle feedstock. A two-year study (2018–2019) was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation (AI, all row-irrigation; ARI, alternate row irrigation; and RF, rainfed) and planting pattern, PP (SR, single row; and TR, twin-row) on soybean (maturity group IV cv. 31RY45 Dyna-Gro) post-grain harvest residue quality such as crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), net energy for maintenance (NEM), net energy for gain (NEG), net energy for lactation (NEL), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and relative feed value (RFV). Irrigation has a significant effect on CP, ADF, NDF, and TDN while PP affected only NDF. All the above parameters were significantly affected except NEM by the contrasting climate conditions, particularly during July through August coinciding with early crop reproductive stages and maturity. The RFV values ranged from 70.4 to 81.6 and this lower range was attributable to nutrient translocation to seeds and higher lignification during plant senescence towards the grain filling stage of the crop as good quality hay records over 120 RFV. These results indicate that both irrigation and weather during soybean seed development can alter post-grain harvest residue quality parameters, thereby playing critical roles in its RFV.

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes that take place in nutrient values of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cv K-27 at different stages of growth in the second and the third cut. The samples from different stages of growth: mid-bud stage, around 60% flowering and full flowering were investigated for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy-lactation (NEl), net energy-maintenance (NEm) and net energy-gain (NEg) content. Higher content of crude protein was found in the third cut (262.1 g kg-1 of DM) than in the second cut (260.8 g kg-1 of DM) in the first stage of development. TDN, DDM, DMI, RFV, NEl, NEm and NEg were calculated according to the appropriate equations adapted from common formulas for forages. The stage of plant development has a significant influence on the chemical composition and the relative feed value of red clover. The achieved results show that adequate maturity stage for cutting might be at mid-bloom stage, when crude protein content, NEl, NEm and NEg content are high.

Considering the growing accessibility of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in Brazil, coupled with the limited research examining its integration into conventional confinement diets in the southeast region, comprising ingredients such as flint corn, citrus pulp, and whole cottonseed, there is a clear imperative for conducting studies to determine optimal inclusion levels of this product in such diets. The objective of the study was to compare the performance (experiment 1) and metabolism (experiment 2) of Nellore bulls finished with diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40% DDGS (% DM) in total replacement of whole cottonseed and partial replacement of ground flint corn and citrus pulp. In experiment 1, Nellore bulls [n = 368; body weight (BW) = 420 ± 30 kg] were used, allocated in 60 experimental pens for 125 d (n = 12 pens per treatment), evaluating variables such as dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, observed net energy (NE) for maintenance and gain, and carcass characteristics. In experiment 2, rumen-cannulated Nellore bulls (n = 30; BW = 503 ± 46) were kept in individual pens for 21 d (n = 6 animals per treatment), evaluating ruminal parameters (proportion of short-chain fatty acids, ammonia concentration, ruminal pH) and apparent digestibility of nutrients in the total tract. The experimental design adopted was randomized blocks, and the data were analyzed using R v. 4.3.1 (R Core Team, 2023). Linear increases were observed in carcass adjusted final BW (P = 0.013), carcass adjusted ADG (P = 0.024), carcass adjusted feed efficiency (P = 0.0003), hot carcass weight (P = 0.0004), and dressing percentage (P < 0.0001) with the incremental inclusion of DDGS in the diets (Table 1). For every 10-percentage unit inclusion in these type of diets, hot carcass weight is increased by 2.56 kg. Additionally, the inclusion of DDGS resulted in linear increases in observed NE for maintenance (P = 0.001) and NE for gain (P = 0.001), calculated according to Zinn and Shen (1998). Digestibility outcomes, determined through the difference of nutrients present in the consumed diet and in the feces, exhibited linearly decreasing effects with the escalating inclusion of DDGS for dry matter (P = 0.004), organic matter (P = 0.004), neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.01), acid detergent fiber (P = 0.04), and total digestible nutrients (P = 0.004). We also observed linear increases for isobutyrate (P = 0.004) and isovalerate (P = 0.002) as the DDGS level in the diet increased. The 40% DDGS diet exhibited 0.6 mmol/100 mol and 0.7 mmol/100 mol more of isobutyrate and isovalerate, respectively, compared with the 0% DDGS diet. In summary, a high inclusion of DDGS emerges as a viable alternative in the nutrition of Bos indicus cattle fed diets containing ground flint corn and citrus pulp, manifesting significant improvements in performance and carcass quality.

The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical composition, metabolizable energy, net energy lactation, total digestible nutrient, in vitro digestion parameters, and relative feed quality of some grass forage plants growing naturally in the meadows and pastures of Erzurum province in Turkey. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), Variegated brome (Bromus variegatus), and Intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium) were used as the research material. In this study, the metabolizable energy (ME) and net energy lactation (NEL) contents of the green grass crops forage plants were determined by in vitro gas production method, and their digestibility parameters and relative feed quality (RFQ) by the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) procedure using an Ankom Daisy incubator. As a result of the study, the differences between the forage plants were found to be statistically significant in terms of chemical composition, metabolizable energy, net energy lactation, true organic matter digestibility (TOMD) and RFQ (P<0.05). While the green intermediate wheatgrass was found to have the highest crude protein (CP) (19.56%), crude fat (CF) (3.06%), dry matter (DM) (9.14%), ME (8.82%), NEL (5.42%), and TOMD (97.75%); the green variegated brome was found to have the highest RFQ (149.79). The green orchardgrass was found to have the highest contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) with 66.23%, 34.14, and 8.52%, respectively. In conclusion, the green grass forage plants examined in this study can be used to eliminate the quality roughage deficit.

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of phosphorus fertilization (0, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 kg ha-1) on silage yield and quality traits of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.). The experiment was conducted at Yoruk village of Malkara-Tekirdag with three replications in randomized block design in 2021. Silage yield (t ha-1), dry matter (%), crude protein (%), crude ash (%), acid detergent fiber (ADF, %), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, %), P (%), K (%), Ca (%), Mg (%), digestible dry matter (DDM, %), dry matter intake (DMI, %), relative feed value (RFV), total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy-lactation (NEl), net energy-maintenance (NEm), net energy-gain (NEg) and flieg score were determined. Silage yield, dry matter, pH, crude protein, ADF, NDF, P, Mg, DDM, DMI, RFV, TDN, NEg and Flieg Score were determined statistically significant at P˂0.01. The highest silage yield (72.83 t ha-1) and ADF ratio (25.36 %) were obtained from 30 kg P ha-1. The highest dry matter (39.92 %), DDM (70.30 %), DMI (3.22 %) RFV (175.056) and TDN (68.90) were found at application of 90 kg P ha-1. The highest flieg score was determined at application of 60 kg P ha-1. The highest crude protein (15.50-15.51 %) was found at application of 45 and 60 kg P ha-1.

Winter cereals are mainly used for human and animal nutrition and several studies are now exploring their potential as conserved forage (hay and silage). Among the winter cereal species available for cultivation in the south of Brazil, which is major winter cereals producer in the country, the wheat cv. BRS Umbu has attracted special attention. However, few studies have investigated the potential of this cultivar for silage production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production and quality of silage from the dual-purpose wheat, BRS Umbu, subjected to different cut managements treatments: T1 - without cut (control), T2 - one cut and T3 - two cuts. Each plot represented an experimental unit in a randomized block design, with 5 replicates per treatment. Two representative samples were collected from each plot to determine morphological segmentation (stem, leaf and ear) and dry matter (DM) content of the whole plant and its morphological components. At the time of opening of the silos, food chemical analysis and pH determination were performed. Forage mass production decreased by 26.88% and 67.82%, respectively, with one and two cuts, compared to control. The DM content of the ensiled plant was 49.9 g kg-1 for the control, 54.7 g kg-1 with one cut and 63.2 g kg-1 with two cuts, at the time of ensiling. Management cuts changed the morphological components of the plants, with a lower proportion of stem (28%) in plants subjected to two cuts. The control treatment showed fewer leaves in ensiled plant (9.6%) and intermediate amount of stalk (52.8%), and was significantly different (p < 0.05) to treatment of a cut. Regarding feed chemistry evaluations, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed for mineral matter (MM), crude protein (CP) and hemicellulose (HEM) between the different cutting regimens. However, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) decreased (p < 0.05) as the number of cuts increased. The control treatment showed higher NDF and ADF content (563.2 and 357.9 g kg-1 DM, respectively) and lower amount of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and net energy of lactation (NEL). However, the estimated milk production (EMP) was superior for this treatment (22,447 l ha-1), demonstrating the high impact of reduced forage mass production with increased number of cuts.

Oat is a dual-purpose crop used for both food and feed for animals. The objective of this work is to characterize oat varieties for their genetic diversity in yield, physical traits, and nutritional composition, aiming to identify potential parent varieties for breeding programs to develop new oat varieties for improved livestock feed and diverse industrial applications. To conduct, chemical analysis for protein and carbohydare fractions, energy and digestible nutrient estimated, stastical analyses performed to assess genetic variations for traits among vaieties. Significant genetic variation (p < 0.05) for grain yield, grain density, sieving percentage, crude protein, ether extract, neutral and acid detergent fiber, cellulose, lignin, neutral and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen were observed in grains of eight oat varieties. All protein fractions exhibited significant differences (p < 0.05). Total carbohydrate content ranged significantly (p < 0.05) from 73 % to 79 %. The grains contained higher levels of intermediately degradable starch and pectin (54.12–60.16 %) compared to the slowly degradable cell wall (26–33 %), lignin bounded cell wall (6–10 %), and rapidly degradable sugars (2–8%). Significant variation (p < 0.05) was observed in terms of gross energy, digestible energy, metabolizable energy, net energy for maintenance and lactation about (2 Mcal/kg dry matter), gain (1.6–1.8 Mcal/kg dry matter), total digestible nutrients, digestible dry matter, rumen degradable protein, and total digestible nutrients related to crude protein, fatty acid, neutral detergent fiber, and non-fiber carbohydrate. Organic matter and ether extract were positively associated (p < 0.01) with total digestible nutrients, digestible and metabolizable energy, dry matter digestible and truly digestible non fibrous cabohydrates, while neutral and acid detergent fiber and cellulose showed negative correlation. The research shows that oat varieties vary widely in their yield, physical features, and nutritional content, offering potential for breeding better varieties for both animal feed and industrial uses.

Intercropping is an eco-friendly agricultural practice for achieving higher quantity and quality of forage crops. The present study was aimed to evaluate the forage quality, quantity and ecological indices (monetary and competition) of maize in intercropping with different legumes at two different growing years (2017–2018) in the north west of Iran. The treatments were monoculture of two maize hybrids (KSC301 and KSC704), grasspea ( Lathyrus sativus L.), berseem clover ( Trifolium alexandrinum L.), bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia L.), hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa L.) and additive intercropping of two maize hybrids with the above mentioned legumes. The highest and lowest total forage yield and crude protein yield (CPY) was achieved in intercropping of KSC301 with hairy vetch and maize monocultures. Also, the highest value of total digestible nutrients (TDN), dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter intake (DMI) and net energy for lactation (NE l ) was observed in intercropping of KSC301 with grasspea. In addition, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents in maize monocultures increased by 19% and 29% compared with intercropping patterns. Averagely, the highest RVT was calculated in the intercropping of KSC301 with grasspea and KSC301 with hairy vetch. The maximum LER was achieved in intercropping of KSC301+ hairy vetch and KSC704+ hairy vetch. Generally, based on the forage quantity, quality and monetary indices, intercropping of KSC301 with grasspea and KSC301 with hairy vetch was superior to maize monocultures and can be suggested, as an eco-friendly and cleaner production method, to farmers instead of monoculture systems. • Photosynthetically active radiation in all intercropping patterns was higher compared with maize monocultures. • Intercropping of KSC301 with hairy vetch gave the highest total forage yield and crude protein yield. • Intercropping of KSC301 with grasspea had the highest values of total digestible nutrients, dry matter digestibility, dry matter intake, net energy for lactation. • Intercropping improves land equivalent ratio (LER) and monetary indices.

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional content and nutritive values of some varieties of linseed meal. For this purpose, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude ash (CA), and crude protein (CP) analyses were performed on meals obtained from 13 different linseed varieties (Clli 1423, Larkana, Milas, NewTurk, Dillman, Sari-85, Clli 1351, Clli 1370, Clli 1400, Clli 1412, Karakız, Beyaz Gelin, Noreum) in order to determine some nutritional content. Based on some data obtained from these analyses, nutritive values such as dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy for lactation (NEL) were calculated. In terms of nutritional content, the NDF, ADF, ADL, and CP contents of linseed meals were found to be significant, while the CA content was not found to be significant. The NDF, ADF, ADL, and CP contents of the meal varied within the ranges of %58.40-96.37, %18.62-35.64, %8.55-20.45, and %34.84-41.21, respectively. In terms of nutritive value characteristics, the DMD, ME, and NEL properties of linseed meal were found to be significant, while the DMI and RFV features were deemed insignificant. The DMD, ME, and NEL values of the meal varied within the ranges of %61.14-74.39, 9.35-11.91 MJ/kg, and 1.37-1.81 Mcal/kg, respectively. In conclusion, it was determined that among the linseed varieties, the highest results in terms of both nutritional content and nutritive value were provided by the NewTurk variety, while the worst results were generally observed in the Beyaz Gelin variety. However, it was concluded that the meals from all evaluated linseed varieties could be utilized in the intensive feed industry.

Cerastium holosteoides is a short‐lived plant often found in small proportions on dry and mesotropic semi‐natural, species‐rich grassland communities. To obtain more information about its nutritive value, two experiments on Arrhenatheretum elatioris grassland were carried out to examine the effect of harvest date on in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF), acid‐detergent fibre (ADF), acid‐detergent lignin (ADL), estimated net energy for lactation (NEL) and crude protein (CP) concentrations of C. holosteoides, and selection of this plant by dairy cows grazing on semi‐natural grassland. C. holosteoides starts flowering in spring and continuously develops new flowers on new branches throughout the summer. Harvests were made in relation to particular growth stages of Dactylis glomerata present in the sward: (A) tillering; (B) stem elongation; (C) ear emergence; (D) flowering; and (E) ripening.Chemical composition and nutritive value were evaluated in 1998 and 1999. With advancing maturity, IVOMD of C. holosteoides decreased from 0·771 at growth stage A to 0·485 at growth stage E. At the same time, CP concentration decreased from 153 to 69 g kg−1 dry matter (DM) and estimated NEL concentration from 6·00 to 4·07 MJ kg−1 DM. With advancing maturity, there was a significant increase in NDF, ADF and ADL concentrations. In the summer harvest season, C. holosteoides contained significantly higher NDF, ADF and ADL concentrations, lower NEL concentration and had a lower IVOMD value than in the spring. Differences between years were also found for IVOMD and for NDF, ADF, ADL and NEL concentrations.In a grazing experiment in the year 1999, at growth stage B, Simmental cows grazed an A. elatioris sward in which the main species was D. glomerata (0·092), and the proportion of C. holosteoides was 0·034. C. holosteoides was, on average, grazed by cows to the same relative extent as other species in the sward.

주년 조사료 생산을 위한 작부체계에서 하계작물에서는 수수<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>수단그리스 교잡종이 청예수량이 가장 많았고, 다음이 옥수수이었으며, 건물수량은 옥수수>수수<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>수단그라스 교잡종>수수>귀리의 순이었다. 작부체계에서 동계작물의 종류가 하계작물의 청에 및 건물생산에 미치는 영향을 검토한 결과 통계적 유의성을 볼 수 있었다. 동계작물들의 청에 및 건물 생산량은 5월 중순 예취시 귀리가 가장 많았으며, 트리티케일>이탈리안 라이그라스>호밀>청보리의 순이었다. 앞작물로 재배된 하계작물의 종류가 동계작물의 청예 및 건물수량에 미치는 영향은 적은 것으로 보였다. 하계작물의 사료가치는 귀리가 조단백질 함량이 가장 높았으며, ADF는 수수, 그리고 NDF는 수수<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>수단그라스 교잡종이 다소 높았다. 또한 옥수수가 RFV와 TDN이 가장 많았다. 동계작물의 사료가치는 조단백질 함량은 귀리가 가장 높았으나, ADF와 NDF 등의 섬유소 함량은 작물간 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. RFV는 호밀과 트리티케일에서 높았으며, 귀리가 다소 낮은 경향을 보였다. 한편 TDN 함량은 트리티케일에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 주년 조사료 생산을 위한 작부조합별 건물 생산량은 옥수수와 호밀, 옥수수와 트리티케일에서 가장 높아 유망한 작부체계로 보였다. 한편 옥수수와 트리티케일, 옥수수와 호밀, 그리고 수수<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>수단그라스 교잡종과 트리티케일/호밀의 작부체계가 TDN 생산량을 고려할 때 유망한 작부조합으로 나타났다. 토양 pH, EC 및 유기물 함량은 시험전에 비해 시험후에 높아지는 경향이었다. 예취시기별 동계작물의 사료가치를 검토한 결과 조단백질 함량은 4월 중순보다 5월 중순 예취시 많았으며, ADF와 NDF 함량은 수확시기가 늦어질수록 증가 하였다. 또한 RFV와 TDN 함량은 생육후기로 갈수록 낮아졌다. Present experiment was conducted at the field of Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Jinju city for two continuous cropping seasons to develop several adaptable and valuable year-round forage-producing system for elevating self-sufficiency and dollar-saving by reduced importing of crude forage. Twenty cropping systems were tested in experiment using whole crop barley (WCB), oat, rye, Italian ryegrass (IRG), and triticale in winter season and com, sorghum, sorghum <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> sudangrass hybrid, and oat in summer time. Sorghum <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> sudangrass hybrid showed highest fresh forage yield among experimented summer season crops, and followed com. Com produced the most dry matter yield, and followed sorghum<TEX>${\times}$</TEX>sudangrass hybrid, sorghum and oat in order. There was no significant effect of former winter crops on fresh and dry matter production succeeding summer time crops. Among winter season forage crops tested, oat showed the highest fresh and dry matter when clipped on mid-May, and followed triticale, IRG, rye and WCB. Winter-time cultivated crops showed no clear effect on the growth and forage (fresh and dry matter) producing ability of following summer crops. There was the most protein content in oat plant among summer season planted crops, and in sorghum for acid detergent fiber (ADF) and in sorghum <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> sudangrass hybrid for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), respectively. While, com showed highest value of relative feed value (RFV) and total digestive nutrients (TDN) among those crops. Among winter crops, the highest crude protein was in oat plant showing no significant differences of ADF and NDF, while, relatively higher value of RFV was recognized with rye and triticale. Also, triticale contained more TDN as compare to other forage crops. The cropping combinations such as com followed by (fb) rye and maize fb triticale were regarded as promising systems having higher dry matter producing ability among tested combinations. Considering TDN producing potential, the combinations with sorghum <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> sudangrass hybrid fb triticale andlor rye were would be suitable ones, coincidently. There was a tendency which elevating pH, electric conductivity (EC) and organic matter (OM) contents in soil after experiment comparing to before planting. More crude protein content in plant was shown at mid-May clipping as compared to the forage at April cut in all winter season grown crops. ADF and NDF contents were increased by delayed clipping showing decreased tendency of RFV and TDN in plant. In conclusion, many cropping systems would be available using above mentioned forage crops according to farmer's conditions and scale, etc.

The corn (Zea mays L) planting date in a double-cropping system is delayed until mid-May due to delayed rye harvest on May. This experiment was conducted to determine the optimum harvesting time for high yield and the best quality of silage corn at late planting date after harvesting winter rye. Corns were planted on 21 May and harvested at eight different maturity stage at Seoul National University Experimental Livestock Farm, Suwon in 1997. Maturities were B (blister; 16 days after silking), M (milk; 20 days), LM (late milk; 24 days), SD (soft dough; 28 days), ED (early dent; 33 days), FD (full dent; 38 days), LD (late dent; 44 days) and PM (physiological maturity; 53 days) stages. The percentage of whole plant dry matter (DM) showed optimum range for silage making (29.0 to 38.5%) when corn plant was harvested at between ED and LD stages. Maximum whole plant DM (14,831 kg/ha) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields (10,675 kg/ha) reached at full dent stage. The percentage of whole plant acid detergent fiber (ADF) was decreased from 35.4 to 22.1%, and that of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was also decreased from 63.8 to 46.0% as harvest stage progressed. These changes in chemical compositions were associated with changes in plant part composition. A progressive increase in total ear, and the decrease in stover portion in the plant were observed with advance in harvest stage. Calculated on net energy for lactation (NEL) and TDN values based on ADF percentage of stover plant decreased by ED stage and then increased by PM stage. But NEL and TDN values of ear and whole plant increased as harvest stage progressed. While in vitro dry matter digestibility of stover was decreased from 61.1 to 49.7%, whole plant was increased from 58.3 to 65.7% as maturity advanced (P$

Forage mixtures are common agricultural practices for the energy and protein needs of animals. In this study, common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) mixtures in different seeding rates were investigated in terms of forage yield and quality. In order to evaluate the effect of vetch, cereal intercropping and the competition/economic indices of 8 different legume-barley mixtures, along with their pure stands, were assessed during the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 growth seasons in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The field experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with 3 replications for each year. Intercropping indices were calculated by means of land equivalent ratio (LER), aggressivity (A), crowding ratio (CR), and actual yield loss (AYL). Competition indices revealed that both the common vetch-barley and the Hungarian vetch-barley intercroppings at a seeding ratio of 80%:20%, respectively, were advantageous due to their high yield, land use efficiency, and economic value compared to other mixtures or pure stands. All samples were analyzed for quality parameters such as dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content. While digestible dry matter (DDM) content did not differ among treatments, CP, NDF, ADF, TDN (total digestible nutrients), DDM, RFV (relative feed value), and NE1 (net energy for lactation) content significantly differed among the different vetches-barley mixtures (P < 0.01). The results emphasize that both vetch species combined with barley and using the seeding ratio of 80% vetch:20% barley should be profitable for farmers in terms of implementation and maximum yield per unit area under Eastern Mediterranean conditions.

ObjectiveIn this study, we explored the effect of fruit and vegetable waste addition on the quality of corn stalk silage.MethodsCorn stalks were ensiled 20 days after ear harvesting and mixed with fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) consisting of apple, orange, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage waste as 3% of fresh matter. Fruit waste consisted of solid residue obtained after juicing, and vegetable waste was collected from farms and cut into small pieces (2 to 3 cm). The materials were stored anaerobically in 20-L silo buckets and opened after 60 days of fermentation.ResultsThere were significant differences in dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrient (TDN), and relative feed value (RFV) levels in FVW derived from all tested raw materials (p<0.05). Corn stalk mixed with orange waste (CSOW) had the highest DM content (28.77%), lowest ADF and NDF content (47.78% and 26.62% of DM, respectively), and highest TDN and RFV content (69.21 and 133, respectively). After 60 days, there were significant differences in all chemical parameters examined (p<0.05). Corn stalk mixed with broccoli waste (CSBW) had the lowest DM loss (2.23%), and the CSOW group had the lowest NDF and ADF content and highest in vitro DM digestibility. CSBW had the lowest pH and ammonia nitrogen content, but the highest lactic acid/acetic acid ratio among the treatment groups. CSOW had the highest lactic acid content (2.27% of DM). The microbial contents of each group differed only in lactic acid bacteria counts before and after ensiling, showing a slight increase (p>0.05) and significant decreases in yeast and mold counts (p<0.05) after ensiling.ConclusionThese findings confirmed that mixing various FVW materials, particularly orange waste, with corn stalks improved the nutritional value of silage. Adding broccoli waste resulted in better fermentation quality than the addition of other FVW materials.

Comparison of the chemical composition of major feed resources between the midland and lowland agro-ecological zones in the Majang zone of southwest Ethiopia