The Forage Yield and Silage Quality of Maize-Sorghum-Sainfoin Mixtures

The control of gastrointestinal sheep nematodes with tanniferous forage plants

Economic benefits of adding enzyme mixtures (EM) to forages prior to ensiling have not been clearly established. Potential benefits such as improved silage quality and animal performance have been observed in some studies but not in others. This study was implemented to evaluate silage quality and lactation performance of dairy cattle fed silage treated with commercial EM. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage was treated with 7.8 oz/ton of a commercial EM and silage quality was compared with an untreated control. Diets containing experimental silages were fed in a switchback trial to 20 multiparous Holstein cows (Bos taurus) and lactation performance was evaluated. Enzyme treatment improved silage fermentation characteristics as evidenced by decreased pH and acetate, and increased lactate content. Enzyme treatment reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by 3.3 percentage units compared with the control silage. Pectic fractions and hemicellulose were reduced by enzyme treatment. Enzyme treated silage contained higher levels of ruminally undegraded NDF. Enzyme treatment did not alter ruminal dry matter (DM) degradation or cellulose content of alfalfa silage. Milk yield, milk components, and DM intake of lactating dairy cows was also not improved by enzyme treatment. In this study treatment of alfalfa silage with a commercial EM improved silage quality by enhancing fermentation characteristics and decreasing NDF content, but these improvements did not have a positive effect on lactation performance of dairy cows.

Inclusion of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) silage in dairy cow rations affects nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, energy balance, and methane emissions

Perennial grass silages are needed as alternatives to corn (Zea mays L.) silage on erosive cropland. Eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] may offer an alternative to corn for silage production, but it's fermentation characteristics and quality under different rates of N have not been evaluated. A 5-yr-old stand of «PMK-24' eastern gamagrass was treated in 1991 and 1992 with ammonium nitrate at 0, 100, and 200 Ib N/acre and harvested for silage. Corn was grown adjacent to the eastern gamagrass stand in 1992 for comparison. First harvest eastern gamagrass forage was ensiled at the seed development stage in 1991 and inflorescence emergence stage in 1992, and regrowth forage at the vegetative stage both years. Eastern gamagrass silage pH was not influenced by stage of maturity or N rates, and averaged 0.4 to 0.8 pH units greater than corn silage

Efficacy of formic acid, enzymes, and microbial additives in silage on the performance of sheep: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of the study was to determine silage yield and quality of Hungarian vetch/forage pea (V/P) with rye (R) mixed in an intercropping system that provides maximum level of faulting from the field. The field experiment was conducted in 2021-2022 to examine the effects of different binary sowing ratio (20:80%R/P, 40:60%R/P, 60:40%R/P; 80:20%R/P; 20:80%R/V, 40:60%R/V, 60:40%R/V; 80:20%R/V, 100%R, 100%P, 100%V) in 3 replications. The treatments were harvested in July 2022 for silage, and hay yield and fresh yield were determined in the intercropping treatments before ensiling. On the same day, silages were filled by the same mix ratios in plastic cans. After fermentation, the dry matter ratio, pH, sucrose, crude protein, ADF, NDF, mineral matters and organic acid were defined in silages. Before ensiling the highest fresh and dry yield were obtained from 80:20%R/P. Yield values were decreased by increase of rye ratio in the mix. The dry matter, crude protein, lactic acid formation, the inhibition of undesirable micro‐organisms and nutritional quality has been improved in rye silages prepared with H. vetch and F. pea contribute. Consequently, the combinations of the H. vetch and F. pea contribute to rye silage are complementary, and the intercropping of the binary combination made profitable forage yield and silage quality, according to sole treatments. The positive effects in the investigated parameters are in all mixed ratios, but, 80:20R/P, 60:40R/P and 80:20R/V silages were more superior to the others.

The use of forage legumes as a source of protein for ruminants is a sustainable strategy to reduce the use of inorganic-nitrogen fertiliser. In addition, some legumes species contain naturally bioactive secondary compounds, which could improve silage quality and digestive processes in ruminants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of bioactive legumes containing condensed tannins or polyphenol oxidase, ensiled alone or in mixture with a grass, on silage quality and conservation characteristics. Six mini-silos were prepared in triplicate as follows: 100% red clover (RC), 100% sainfoin (SF), 100% Timothy (T, control without bioactive compounds), binary mixtures 50% T + 50% RC, 50% T + 50% SF and ternary mixture 50% T + 25% RC + 25% SF. Condensed tannins remain unaltered during the silage-making process in terms of quantity and chemical structures, while polyphenol oxidase is activated during this process. All the silages that contained bioactive legumes were better conserved than the pure grass silo. In addition bioactive legumes were able to preserve protein from their degradation during the silage process. Inclusion of bioactive legumes can improve silage quality, and polyphenol oxidase may be more efficient than condensed tannins to improve the nitrogen value of silage.

Sugarcane tops silage (STS), as a source of roughage for ruminants, is rich in water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content, which significantly affects silage quality. Citric acid (CA) is a low-cost natural antimicrobial agent that can inhibit undesirable microbes and improve silage quality. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of CA on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, microbial communities, and metabolic pathways of STS with high and low WSC contents before or after aerobic exposure. Fresh sugarcane tops with low-WSC [143.05 g/kg dry matter (DM)] and high-WSC (249.99 g/kg DM) contents were treated with and without CA and then ensiled for 125 days, followed by aerobic exposure for 4, 8, and 16 days. The results showed that high-WSC STS had lower crude protein (CP) content and higher DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents, whether treated with CA or not. CA-inoculated silage exhibited decreased DM loss and enterobacteria (EB) counts compared to the control. High-WSC STS treated with CA had higher WSC content and lower yeast count than those without CA inoculation. During the 0–16 days of aerobic exposure, the propionic acid and butyric acid contents in CA-inoculated silage were almost unchanged and ranged from 0 to 1 g/kg DM. Meanwhile, the ethanol content was almost unchanged and ranged from 0 to 1 g/kg DM only in low-WSC STS, irrespective of CA addition. Before aerobic exposure, CA inoculation decreased the abundances of undesirable microbes (e.g., Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12 and Paecilomyces) and animal pathogens, while amino acid metabolism was lower in high-WSC STS regardless of CA treatment. After aerobic exposure, CA inoculation increased the abundance of bacteria with antibacterial effects, including Paenibacillus and Bacillus. Moreover, the metabolism of energy and nucleotides was lower in high-WSC STS treated with CA, and the animal pathogens was lower in low-WSC STS treated with CA. In conclusion, CA inoculation could be effective in decreasing nutrients loss, improving fermentation quality, inhibiting harmful microorganisms, and modulating the metabolic pathways of microorganisms in STS with high and low WSC contents prior to and after aerobic exposure.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of leucaena, gliricidia, and pornunça silages with different levels of old man saltbush inclusion in their composition. A completely randomized design was used with five levels of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) inclusion (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium), and pornunça (Manihot sp.) silages, with 5 replications per treatment, totaling 75 experimental mini-silos maintained in a covered shed and free of opportunistic animals. Silos were opened after 100 days of ensilage, and the silage of the first 15 cm of their ends was discarded. The remaining material was homogenized and sampled for determining the bromatological composition, in vitro digestibility, and fermentation profile. Old man saltbush inclusion levels in leucaena silages promoted a negative linear effect for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract, pH, and ammoniacal nitrogen, while a positive linear effect was found for mineral matter, in vitro dry matter digestibility, total carbohydrates, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and propionic acid (P < 0.05). This silage also had a quadratic effect for lactic acid. Gliricidia silages showed a positive linear behavior for dry matter, mineral matter, and total carbohydrates, whereas organic matter, crude protein, and ethereal extract presented a negative linear behavior (P < 0.05). The contents of organic lactic, acetic, and propionic acids showed a quadratic effect for gliricidia silage as old man saltbush levels increased (P < 0.05). Regarding pornunça silage, dry matter, mineral matter, total carbohydrates, propionic acid, and butyric acid presented a linear increasing behavior, while organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract, and non-fibrous carbohydrates presented a linear decreasing behavior (P < 0.05). Lactic acid and acetic acid concentrations for pornunça silage showed a quadratic behavior according to the increasing old man saltbush inclusion levels (P < 0.05). The highest contribution of old man saltbush in the silages promoted changes in the profile of organic acids, allowing an improvement in silage quality, favoring lactic fermentation rather than acetic fermentation. Butyric acid contents were low for all treatments and indicated the control of undesirable fermentation processes. These results indicate that old man saltbush inclusion in silage composition may contribute to bromatological composition and fermentation process of the studied silages.

Simple SummaryWet corn gluten feed (WCGF) is a feed containing high moisture and rapidly digestible, non-forage fiber and protein for dairy cows, that is difficult to preserve. The use of corn stover as roughage by ruminants is limited by its poor digestibility. Total mixed ration (TMR) silage is an ensiling mixed feed that can fully mix forage and concentrate in a specific ratio to satisfy the nutritional needs of dairy cows, which has become an effective method of preservation of high-moisture byproducts. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different additives on the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and aerobic stability of TMR silage containing WCGF and corn stover. Inoculation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) + fibrolytic enzyme (EN) and LAB improved aerobic stability of TMR silages indicated by higher and more stable LA and AA contents, a smaller rise in pH, and yeast count than other silages. Total mixed ration silage inoculated the LAB + EN and LAB can become an effective method of preserving high-moisture WCGF and corn stover with poor digestibility.The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different additives on the fermentation quality, bacterial community, and aerobic stability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) and corn stover. The TMR was ensiled with four treatments: (1) no additive (control); (2) lactic acid bacteria (LAB); (3) fibrolytic enzyme (EN); (4) LAB + EN. The EN and LAB + EN decreased the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents. Additives led to a higher lactic acid (LA) content (p < 0.0001) compared to control at all ensiling times. Silages inoculated with LAB and LAB + EN had higher dry matter (p = 0.0007), LA (p < 0.0001) and acetic acid (AA) contents (p < 0.0001) compared to control. The LAB and LAB + EN had significantly lowest ammonia nitrogen among the treatments, while no significant difference occurred after days 7 of ensiling. Silages treated with LAB and LAB + EN had a higher LAB count (p < 0.0001) and a lower pH, yeast, and mold counts compared to other silages. The LAB and LAB + EN greatly increased the portions of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus (p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively) and reduced undesirable bacteria. Inoculation with LAB + EN and LAB improved aerobic stability of TMR silages indicated by higher and more stable LA and AA contents, smaller rise in pH, and yeast count than other silages. The LAB + EN and LAB reduced microbial diversity and improved the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of TMR silage containing WCGF and corn stover.

ObjectiveEffects of newly isolated Lactobacillus plantarum on the fermentation and chemical composition of fresh rice straw silage was evaluated in this study.MethodsLactic acid bacteria (LAB) from good crop silage were screened by growing them in MRS broth and a minimal medium with low carbohydrate content. Selected LAB (LAB 1821) were Gram-positive, rods, catalase negative, and were identified to be Lactobacillus plantarum based on their biochemical characteristics and a 16S rRNA analysis. Fresh rice straw was ensiled with two isolated LAB (1821 and 1841), two commercial inoculants (HM/F and P1132) and no additive as a control.ResultsAfter 2 months of storage at ambient temperature, rice straw silages treated with additives were well-preserved, the pH values and butyric and acetic acid contents were lower, and the lactic acid content and lactic/acetic acid ratio were higher than those in the control (p<0.05). Acidity (pH) was lowest, and lactic acid highest, in 1821-treated silage (p<0.05). The NH3-N content decreased significantly in inoculant-treated silage (p<0.05) and the NH3-N content in 1821-treated silage was lowest among the treatments. The dry matter (DM) content of the control silage was lower than that of fresh rice straw (p<0.05), while that of the 1841- and p1174-inoculant-treated silages was significantly higher than that of HM/F-treated silage. Microbial additives did not have any significant (p>0.05) effect on acid detergent fiber or neutral detergent fiber contents. Crude protein (CP) content and in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) increased after inoculation of LAB 1821 (p<0.05).ConclusionLAB 1821 increased the CP, IVDMD, lactic acid content and ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid in rice straw silage and decreased the pH, acetic acid, NH3-N, and butyric acid contents. Therefore, adding LAB 1821 improved the fermentation quality and feed value of rice straw silage.

The quality of farm-scale alfalfa silages

In forage crop mixtures, the proportions of legumes and grasses should be adjusted very well. This study was conducted in Sakarya province, where pure corn (C), pure cowpea (Cp), and mixtures of 75% corn + 25% cowpea, 50% corn + 50% cowpea, and 25% corn + 75% cowpea were planted. The effect of the different mixture proportions on hay yield was then analyzed. In addition, silage was made from the obtained mixtures and the effect of the applied mixture proportions on the silage quality was determined. The field trials of the research were carried out in the trial areas of Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture. Silage was made in 2 kilogram containers from each plot and at the end of the ripening period; silage dry matter ratio (%), silage pH, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) (%), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) (%), Crude Protein (CP) (%), Dry Matter Intake (DMI) (%), Digestible Dry Matter (DDM) (%) and Relative Feed Values (RFV) observations were taken as silage quality criteria. Flieg score calculation was made with physical and sensory analyzes used to determine silage quality. In the study, the highest ADF, NDF, CP, DMI, DDM and RFV were 50%C+50%Cp (%25.69) and 25%Cp+75%C (%25.71), 50%C+50%Cp (%36.75), 100%Cp (%13.59), 100%C (%0.48), 100%C (%2.79), 100%C (%0.32), 75%Cp+25%C (%0.36), respectively. According to the results of physical and sensory analyzes of the obtained silages, it was determined that all silages were very good. According to Flieg scoring, 100%C silage and 75%Cp+25%C mixtures silage were determined as good. As a result of the study, it was found that producers who wish to plant a mixture of legume and grass forage plants can obtain high-quality forage by using a 75% Cp and 25% C mixture.

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of corn silage as the dominant component in the diet of dairy cows in three counties of Eastern Croatia; Brod-Posavina, Osijek-Baranja, and Vukovar-Srijem. The practical part of the research included 25 dairy farms in each County in which corn silage was sampled and then analyzed. The monitored nutritional, fermentative, and physical indicators expressed as average values were satisfactory. Indicators of chemical composition: dry matter (DM) = 349 g/kg, crude protein = 71 g/kg DM, crude ash = 39 g/kg DM, crude fiber = 186 g/kg DM, acidic detergent fiber (ADF) = 212 g/kg DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) = 393 g/kg DM, acidic detergent lignin (ADL) = 17 g/kg DM, starch = 325 g kg DM, energy value expressed in net energy for lactation (NEL, MJ/kg DM) = 6.78, average digestibility of organic matter (dOM) = 75.8% and digestible neutral detergent fibers (dNDF)= 53.7%. Indicators of silage fermentation included the measurement of an average pH of 3.86, a concentration of lactic acid = 56.37 g/kg DM, and acetic acid of 20.68 g/kg DM. Physical indicator, determination of silage particle size distribution (three sieve system) recorded following values: sieve 1 = 7.1%; sieve 2 = 56.3%; sieve 3 = 24.8% and box at the bottom = 11.7%. Given the established statistical significance of the tested differences in average values for nine indicators of nutritional and energy value of corn silage between counties, it is possible to confirm that the quality of silage was better in Osijek-Baranja and Brod-Posavina counties than in Vukovar-Srijem County. Based on significant deviations in the minimum and maximum, and by determining a larger number of non-compliant samples in some indicators than the average values, it leads to the conclusion of uneven quality of silage in some producers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding alfalfa pulp ensiled with waste date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and ruminal fermentation characteristics in Kermani sheep. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) pulps were ensiled with waste date (15% in dry matter) in buckets. After 45 days, chemical composition and pH of the silage were evaluated using four Kermani rams in a change-over design with four 21-day periods comprising of 16 days for adaptation and 5 days for sample collection. Treatments containing 4 diets: 1) control diet (without silage); 2) diet containing 10% silage; 3) diet containing 20% silage and 4) diet containing 30% silage. The results of this study showed that adding 15% waste date to alfalfa pulp during ensiling, improved silage quality and DM. The Flieg point and pH of silage were 94.26 and 3.8, respectively, with a total score quality evaluation of 19 that seemed to be a very good score. Nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) retention, blood parameters, urinary purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis were not affected by treatments. The total population of Entodinium and total protozoa species were increased linearly with the increase in the level of alfalfa pulp ensiled with waste date in the diets. In conclusion, ensiling of alfalfa pulp with 15% waste date increased DM and silage quality and its feeding to sheep did not have negative effects on feed intake and nutrient digestibility. Due to the relatively low costs of alfalfa pulp and waste date, their inclusion in sheep diets can reduce the cost of feed and environmental pollution.