ORGANIC ACIDS OF FORAGES ENSILED WITH AND WITHOUT SODIUM METABISULPHITE AT VARYING LEVELS OF COMPACTION AND DRY MATTER

Abstract

The organic acids of legume silages were greatly affected by the ensiling conditions. The volatile acids were low and lactic acid was high in silages from medium to high dry matter forages ensiled at moderate to high initial compaction. Bisulphite had little effect on the acid contents of such silages. Butyric acid was high and lactic acid was low in silages from low dry matter forages ensiled at low compaction. Bisulphite reduced the butyric and increased the lactic acid contents of these silages.