Abstract
Two enzyme preparations containing cellulase/hemicellulase (E and FS) were investigated as silage additives. The preparations were similar in cellulase activity (58 U ml −1 and 61 U ml −1, respectively), but FS had almost twice the level of xylanase activity (218 U ml −1 and 517 U ml −1, respectively). Four silages were made from a uniform sward of perennial ryegrass cut when the content of digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) was around 600 g kg −1. The additive treatments were: no additive (control); E at 0.31 t −1; FS at 0.31 t −1 and at 0.61 t −1 (2 FS). All silages were well preserved. DOMD values determined in sheep were 609 g kg −1, 588 g kg −1, 624 g kg −1 and 635 g kg −1, respectively; compared with the control, E decreased ( P < 0.05) and both FS treatments increased ( P < 0.05) DOMD. The silages were offered ad libitum with 4.5 or 9.0 kg day −1 of concentrates to 16 cows in a series of 2 × 2 Latin squares with 3 week periods. Both FS treatments increased ( P < 0.05) silage intake at both levels of concentrate. Compared with the control, Treatment 2FS increased ( P < 0.05) the yield of milk and milk protein at the lower level of concentrate. There were no differences between treatments in milk production at the higher level of concentrate.
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