Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Carrot Pulp Ensiled with Different Dry Roughages

Abstract

This study investigated the nutrient content, the digestibility of organic matter (OMD), and the metabolic energy (ME) values of silages prepared from carrot pulp, a by-product of the food industry. Five different silages with five replicates were prepared by adding wheat straw (CP + WS), vetch/oat hay (CP + VOH), maize stalk straw (CP + CS), alfalfa hay (CP + AH), and barley straw (CP + BS) as 20% absorption material to 80% carrot pulp. The silages were opened after 60 days, and physical and chemical analyses were performed. The dry matter content was highest in the CP+BS silage. Crude protein content was highest in the CP+AH and CP+VOH groups. CP+AH silage had the highest ADF and NDF. The CP+AH and CP+VOH groups had high-quality relative feed values, while all groups had very good Flieg quality values. There were no differences between the groups for OMD and ME. To conclude, it was found that carrot pulp silage can be used as an alternative feed source in animal nutrition.