Abstract
The effect of a commercial lactic acid bacteria inoculant, Sila-bac, on nutrient preservation and nutritional value of corn silage was evaluated. In this study, addition of inoculant to corn forage at a rate of 0.6 kg/tonne under good ensiling conditions did not improve (P > 0.05) the preservation of dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber or gross energy. Lactic acid concentrations and pH levels were similar, being 2.26 and 2.02; and 4.0 and 3.9 for the control and silages treated with L. plantarum, respectively. Inoculated silage fed with a grain-based supplement resulted in similar feed intakes, average daily gains and feed efficiencies in growing cattle as did the untreated corn silage fed with the same supplement. A digestibility and nitrogen balance study was conducted with eight growing lambs using a 4 × 4 double latin square design. Dietary treatments were (A) control corn silage plus barley-soybean meal (SMB) supplement, (b) inoculated silage plus barley-SBM supplement, (C) control silage plus barley-urea supplement and (D) control silage plus SBM-urea supplement. Actual dietary crude protein levels for these diets were 11.4, 11.8, 11.1 and 13.0% (100% DM basis). Dietary treatment did not influence nutrient digestion (P > 0.05). Total rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations were depressed (P < 0.05) for lambs fed the barley-urea supplement compared with those fed the high protein diet. A nitrogen balance study indicated no difference (P > 0.05) in nitrogen retention for lambs receiving the control or the inoculated silage. Nitrogen retention was reduced (P < 0.05) for lambs fed the barley-urea supplement along with corn silage. Key words: Lactobacillus inoculant, corn silage, beef cattle, sheep
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