Nutrient Losses and Silage Quality as Affected by Rate of Filling and Soybran Flakes

Abstract

Summary Two silos were filled rapidly and two slowly with high-moisture forage. Soybran flakes were added to one silo of each of the filling rates. Total losses of dry matter, protein, nitrogen-free-extract, and ash were lower in the rapidly filled silos. Most of these differences were accounted for by changes in invisible losses, as the seepage portion was not greatly affected. The rate of filling had little effect on crude fiber losses. Silage from the rapidly filled silos contained more lactic acid, but less acetic, propionic, and butyric scids. When soybran flakes were added, the rate of filling had little effect on pH, but without additive slow-filling increased this value. The slow rate of filling resulted in higher peak temperatures which persisted longer. Addition of the soybran flakes reduced the amounts of dry matter and protein lost by seepage but increased invisible losses. Total dry matter and nitrogen-free-extract losses were increased with the additive; whereas, the relative losses of ash and ether extract were reduced. Persistency of milk production and weight gains were excellent for all groups and no significant differences were associated with rate of filling or addition of soybran flakes. The high rate of concentrates fed, apparently, was effective in overcoming most of the detrimental effects of feeding silage from the slowly filled silos on these measures. Cows fed from the slowly filled silo without additive consumed somewhat less silage dry matter than any other group.