High-moisture alfalfa hay conserved with a mixture ofPediococcus pentosaceusand chitinase has a similar feed value to that conserved at optimal moisture

Abstract

Two separate experiments were conducted to compare the nutrient digestion and growth performance of beef cattle fed diets containing up to 77% of two conserved alfalfa hays. The two alfalfa hays were baled either at the optimum moisture (8.6%) or at a higher-than optimum moisture (21.4%) with application of a mixture of Pediococcus pentosaceus and chitinase at baling. Digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, rumen parameters, and growth performance were similar (P ≥ 0.16) for cattle fed either diet. A combination of P. pentosaceus and chitinase has the potential to preserve high-moisture alfalfa hay.