Abstract
Due to the seasonal cycle of forage, the use of silage to feed animals provides nutrients throughout the year. However, its quality can be improved with the inclusion of additives and other products. Glycerol is a rich source of energy and present a high efficiency of utilization by animals. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of glycerol inclusion on the chemical and fermentation characteristics of corn and sunflower silages. Two silage sources (maize and sunflower) were used and four levels of glycerol inclusion (0, 15, 30 and 45%) based on dry matter were carried out. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement with five replications. The pH values and chemical composition of corn and sunflower silages were determined. In both silages there was increment of dry matter, non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients (TDN) added to a reduction of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber due to the glycerol inclusion. The corn silage required 45% glycerol to achieve the TDN level of the sunflower silage. The glycerol addition contributed to the increase in the nutritional value, offsetting loss of quality in the ensiling process.
Highlights
Due to the seasonal cycle pastures, tropical forages do not provide enough nutrients to meet animal nutrient requirements (Paciullo et al, 2008)
The corn silage pattern has been considered due to its high yield of green mass per hectare, high nutritional value and wide acceptance by animals (Paziani et al, 2009), while the sunflower has been presented as an efficient alternative to silage production, mainly in regions where climatic conditions or year season are limiting for corn (Leite et al, 2006; Rezende et al, 2008)
According to Ribeiro (2008) the best corn harvest for silage is defined as DM plant content and considered ideal when it presents 30 to 35% DM, because at this stage the plant presents a better relation between high dry matter yield, high starch and low fiber, providing a good fermentation profile to the ensiled mass and voluntary intake by animals
Summary
Due to the seasonal cycle pastures, tropical forages do not provide enough nutrients to meet animal nutrient requirements (Paciullo et al, 2008). Alternatives are needed to meet the demand of roughages such as the production of conserved forage as silage (Vieira et al, 2011), both throughout critical periods resulting from bad weather conditions and as a supplement for confined animals. In this sense, the silage is an important strategy employed by the farmers to feed both beef and dairy cattle. The corn silage pattern has been considered due to its high yield of green mass per hectare, high nutritional value and wide acceptance by animals (Paziani et al, 2009), while the sunflower has been presented as an efficient alternative to silage production, mainly in regions where climatic conditions or year season are limiting for corn (Leite et al, 2006; Rezende et al, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
