The effect of starch-rich single feed on the digestibility and the energy content of corn silage in cattle and sheep

Abstract

Different starch components were added to rations with maize silage measuring the influence of the supplements on the digestibility and energy content of maize silage in cattle (n = 36) and sheep (n = 36). The starch-rich components maize, wheat, barley, oat, cassava meal and potato starch were added to the total rations on average of 33%. All supplements were ground (sieve of 2.5 mm); additionally, wheat was added in extruded or crushed form. All rations including the control ration without starch components were supplemented with soybean meal to an average crude protein content of 12.4% DM. The mean starch content of the total rations was 42% DM. The supplementation of maize silage with the different starch components increased the digestibility of the organic matter of all rations on average only slightly from 77% to 78% in cattle, while the mean digestibility in sheep raised from 74% to 79% more pronounced. However, the influence of the different starch components on the digestibility was similar for both ruminants. The supplementation with the ground, crushed or extruded wheat, with barley and with oats impaired the digestibility of the crude fibre of the total ration and of the maize silage, respectively. Therefore, the digestibility of the organic matter of maize silage was reduced and the energy content decreased by about 6% in comparison to the control ration without starch supplementation. However, the supplementation with maize, cassava meal or potato starch had no negative effects on the digestibility and energy content of maize silage.