The effects of different protein supplements on the utilization of untreated, formic acid-treated or enzyme-treated silages by growing steers

Abstract

Three grass silages were made from perennial ryegrass ensiled without additive application (U) or with the application of formic acid (F) or an enzyme mixture of hemicellulases and cellulases (E). Analysis of silages showed that both untreated and enzyme-treated silages had higher lactic acid concentrations than formic acid-treated silage. Enzyme-treated silage had lower levels of ADF and NDF but higher concentrations of residual WSC than other silages. The silages were fed to growing steers supplemented with either rapeseed meal (RSM) (60 g kg−1 silage DM) or fishmeal (FM) at a level isonitrogenous with RSM diets, so providing six diets (UR, UF, ER, EF, FR, FF). Organic matter intakes were similar, but ADF intakes were significantly (P < 0·001) lower with enzyme-treated silage diets (UR, 1163; UF, 1160; ER, 1104; EF, 1035; FR, 1216; FF, 1213), as were intakes of NDF (P < 0·01) (UR, 1946; UF, 1955; ER, 1877; 1772; FR, 2031; FF, 2041). Apparent whole tract digestibilities of organic matter were significantly (P < 0·001) higher with enzyme-treated silages (UR, 0·644, UF, 0·644; ER, 0·668; EF, 0·678; FR, 0·633; FF, 0·633). Liveweight gains were generally higher with treated silage diets and RSM supported a greater response than FM (UR, 0·496; UF, 0·498; ER, 0·567; EF, 0·489; FR, 0·543; FF, 0·506) with both enzyme and formic acid-treated silages, although none of these differences were significant.