Abstract
Four absorbent materials incorporated into grass at ensiling were compared in terms of their effects on silage quality, effluent production, diet digestibility, ad libitum intake and growth of lambs. The materials used (50 kg t-1 grass) to retain silage effluent flow were molassed and unmolassed sugar beet shreds (MSBS, SBS), a commercial product (CP) based on MSBS (75%) and wheat bran (20%), and rolled barley (RB). With the exception of MSBS and a control (C2), all silages were ensiled with formic acid solution. Unmolassed sugar beet shreds were also ensiled with a granulated formic acid product (grFA). The silages were fed to 56 Finnish Landrace lambs for 21 days. Silage effluent retention rates were similar (1.44-1.55 kg kg-1 absorbent) for the sugar beet shred-based absorbents but zero for RB. The organic matter digestibilities of the diets were not affected (p>0.05) by the silage absorbent treatment. The digestibility of SBS silage was, however, improved by grFA as an additive. Silage intake was generally increased by absorbent inclusion, and was about 29% higher in lambs receiving silages treated with sugar beet shreds than in those receiving untreated silages. The daily growth rate of lambs was highest with the SBS treatment (124 g) followed by SBS ensiled with grFA (108 g) and MSBS (86 g); it was lowest with RB (36 g). With regard to effluent chemical oxygen demand, digestibility and silage intake, the use of SBS as an absorbent material is recommended by ensiling with either liquid or grFA.
Highlights
IntroductionFour absorbent materials incorporated into grass at ensiling were compared in terms of their effects on silage quality, effluent production, diet digestibility, ad libitum intake and growth of lambs
Agricultural Research Centre ofFinland, Institute ofAnimal Production, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland, Current address: Ministry ofAgriculture and Forestry, PO Box 232, FIN-00171 Helsinki, Finland
Silage intake was generally increased by absorbent inclusion, and was about 29% higher in lambs receiving silages treated with sugar beet shreds than in those receiving untreated silages
Summary
Four absorbent materials incorporated into grass at ensiling were compared in terms of their effects on silage quality, effluent production, diet digestibility, ad libitum intake and growth of lambs. The materials used (50 kg t 1 grass) to retain silage effluent flow were molassed and unmolassed sugar beet shreds (MSBS, SBS), a commercial product (CP) based on MSBS (75%) and wheat bran (20%), and rolled barley (RB). Unmolassed sugar beet shreds were ensiled with a granulated formic acid product (grFA). A common dietary energy supplement, barley, was tested as an effluent absorbent, and silage quality was examined using molassed sugar beet shreds (MSBS) without the widely applied formic acid silage additive. The effects of various absorbent materials on silage quality, effluent production, diet digestibility and the ad libitum intake and performance of growing lambs were tested
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