THE ENSILAGE OF AUTUMN‐SOWN RYE

Abstract

ABSTRACTAutumn‐sown rye was cut on five dates in spring and ensiled in laboratory silos. On two of the dates forage‐harvested material was ensiled in PVC silos (containing about 1 t of fresh crop) as well as in laboratory silos. Ensiling was carried out with and without the addition of formic acid or glucose solution. After 96 days in laboratory silos, rye cut before ear‐emergence and ensiled without additives gave silages of high pH value and high ammonia content. After ear‐emergence satisfactory silage was produced without an additive, but the addition of formic acid always resulted in silages having lower pH values and lower ammonia contents. The addition of glucose resulted in silages with only slightly lower pH values and ammonia contents which were closely similar to those made without addition. Silages made in PVC silos were all well preserved, as indicated by low contents of acetic and butyric acids, but the addition of formic acid resulted in pH values and ammonia contents lower than those found in other treatments.