Effect of Inoculation of Whole Plant Corn Forage with Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactobacillus xylosus on Preservation of Silage and Heifer Growth

Abstract

Whole plant corn silage was ensiled in plastic silo bags, with or without addition of a corn silage inoculant containing Pediococcus acidilactici and Lactobacillus xylosus, to evaluate effects on end-products of silage fermentation, apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, and performance of Holstein heifers. Dry matter recovery and soluble carbohydrate concentration were higher for inoculated silage than for control silage following 110 d of fermentation. Differences between control and inoculated corn silage were not significant for total N, content of nitrogenous fractions and structural carbohydrates, major fermentation acids, or pH. Following exposure to air, pH of inoculated silage was lower than control silage, suggesting greater aerobic stability for the inoculated silage. Heifers fed control silage gained more body weight and used feed more efficiently during the first 42 d of the growth trial than did heifers fed inoculated silage. Body weight gains and DM intakes were greater for heifers fed inoculated silage than for heifers fed control silage during the second 42 d of the growth trial, and efficiency of feed utilization was not different between treatments. During the complete 84-d growth trial, heifers fed the two corn silages did not differ in average daily gain, but heifers fed inoculated corn silage consumed more DM and used it less efficiently than heifers fed control silage. Digestibilities of organic matter, N and ADF were greater when heifers were fed inoculated silage than when they were fed control silage, during the last 3 d of the trial, but differences in digestibilities of NDF and hemicellulose were not significantly different between treatments.