Abstract
The effects of Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and buffered propionic acid on preservation, intake and digestibility of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and timothy (Phleum pratense) hay were investigated. During baling, forages were treated with L. buchneri 40788 (1.2×10 6 CFU/g) as a liquid (LLB) or as a granular preparation (GLB), with buffered propionic acid (10 mL/kg, BPA), or left untreated (control). Triplicate 500 kg round bales of each treatment were put up at two moisture levels for each forage: 17%±0.33% and 20%±0.30% for timothy and 17%±0.20% and 19%±0.27% for alfalfa (mean±SD). Bales were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses after 0, 30 and 60 d of storage. Compared to controls, all preservatives reduced (p 0.05) among treatments, however, voluntary DM intake of LLB-treated timothy (1.32 kg/d) was 22.3% higher (p<0.05) than control, and 14.1% higher than BPA-treated timothy. Treating timothy and alfalfa hay with L. buchneri 40788 or buffered propionic acid may improve the nutritive value of the hay when baled at 17 to 20% moisture. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 5 : 649-660)
Highlights
Rapid wilting of forage to an optimum moisture level in the field before baling is essential in order to reduce field and storage dry matter (DM) losses
The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of L. buchneri 40788® and a buffered propionic acid preparation on changes in (1) nutrient composition, (2) microbiological profiles, (3) aerobic stability, (4) in situ disappearance of DM, and (5) voluntary intake and digestibility of timothy and alfalfa hay baled above optimum moisture levels
Timothy hay : After 60 d in storage, concentrations of WSC and ammonia were higher in BPA-treated bales at 20% moisture than in control and GLB-treated bales (Table 2)
Summary
Rapid wilting of forage to an optimum moisture level in the field before baling is essential in order to reduce field and storage dry matter (DM) losses. Baling at higher moisture levels tends to reduce the extent of leaf separation (Nelson et al, 1989) At such high moisture levels, biochemical changes brought about by plant cell respiration and microbial growth can contribute to a reduction in forage quality. Dry matter losses, reduced nutrient quality, and increased dust during storage are the direct result of the microbial spoilage of hay (Wittenberg, 1991). The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of L. buchneri 40788® and a buffered propionic acid preparation on changes in (1) nutrient composition, (2) microbiological profiles, (3) aerobic stability, (4) in situ disappearance of DM, and (5) voluntary intake and digestibility of timothy and alfalfa hay baled above optimum moisture levels
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