Consumption Of Silage Research Articles

The Effects of Corn Silage and Sunflower Silage and Their Mixtures at Different Levels on the Fattening Performance of Kıvırcık Lambs

Maize silage is widely used in the nutrition of ruminants worldwide. Nevertheless, maize is expensive and difficult to grow in cold and arid climates. To investigate the effects of feeding pure maize silage and different mixtures of maize and sunflower silages on the fattening performance of lambs. In the study, 40 Kıvırcık male lambs aged 2.5-3 months and with an average live weight of 23-25 kg were used as the animal material. The experiment was carried out for 56 days in a semi-open barn. In accordance with the experimental design, animals were divided into 5 different silage groups (100 maize silage, 75 maize silage+25 sunflower silage, 50 maize silage+50 sunflower silage, 25 maize silage+75 sunflower silage, 100% sunflower silage), so that there would be 8 lambs in each group. The lambs were housed in individual compartments during the experiment and fed individually. Silages were given ad libitum, and additional 700, 900, and 1,400 g concentrated feed was given daily between the 0th and 21st, 21st and 42nd, and 42nd and 56th days, respectively. During the fattening period, the values of live weight, daily live weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio were determined. The differences among the live weight values of different silage groups during the trial period were found to be not significant (p>0.05), and the values obtained at the end of 8 weeks varied between 35.94 and 37.44 kg. The silage consumption of lambs fed different silage types showed significant differences (p

Co-ensiled rice straw with whole sugar beet and its effect on the performance of lactating cows

This study investigated the effect of co-ensiled rice straw (RS) with whole sugar beet (SB) on lactating cows’ performance. Ensiled rice straw (ERS) as control (CGS) was incorporated with immersed corn grains (CG) for 24 h, while the 2nd and 3rd ensiled RS (LSB and HSB) contained SB substituted of 50 and 100% of CG on an energy basis (total digestible nutrients, TDN), respectively. In the experimental diets, D1, D2, and D3, which include CGS, LSB, and HSB provided ad-libitum, respectively, while a concentrated feed mixture (2% of body weight) was offered. The population of lactic acid bacteria was slightly higher with fed HSB, relative to LSB and CGS. The OM, CP, EE, NFC, and TCH contents of CGS were slightly higher than LSB and HSB, while the opposite happened with the aNDFom, and ADFom contents. The digestibility of DM, OM, aNDFom, and ADFom of the D3 group was higher (P < 0.05) than in D1 and D2. The D3 recorded the highest values (P < 0.05) of silage consumption, and palatability. Milk production, fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were (P < 0.05) higher for cows fed D3 compared with D1 and D2. Fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were trending on the same track. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of cows fed diet D3 was better than cows fed D1 diet. The level of glucose in the blood increased (P < 0.05) significantly with feeding on HSB than LSB, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to CGS. In conclusion, co-ensiling of RS with the whole SB plant consider a good method to improve its nutritional value.

Milking performance and plant specialized metabolites in the milk of goats fed silage from willow (Salix acmophylla) irrigated with saline water

Willow trees irrigated with recycled water yields fodder of good nutritional value that can be ensiled to provide feed year-round for dairy goats. We investigated the nutritional value of silage from willow irrigated with saline water (Electrical Conductivity 4.0) in a cross-over experiment (twenty eight goats, two periods). We compared total dry matter intake (TDMI), milking performance and milk composition, with a focus on plant phenolic compounds, of Damascus goats fed oats and vetch hays as the sole source of roughage (all-hay) or oats hay with willow silage, with 470 g/kg DM concentrates. Willow silage represented 175 and 205 g/kg of TDMI in the last five days of periods 1 and 2, respectively. Individual TDMI tended (P<0.06) to be 3.7% lower in the willow-fed goats. Milk yield, and the milk contents and daily yields of fat, protein and lactose did not differ between treatments. However, willow consumption was associated with lower contents of milk urea (P<0.02) and 59% higher anti-oxidative capacity (P<0.04). Consumption of willow silage was associated with higher levels of plasma malondialdehyde, but did not affect leucocyte clustering. We assessed the contents of plant specialized metabolites (PSMs) in the feeds and in the milk of five goats of each treatment at the end of period 2 by liquid chromatography / time-of-flight / mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS), with exact or tentative compound identification, depending on availability of appropriate standards. Although many flavonoids were present in feeds, they were not found in the milk of either treatment. Major phenolic compounds, including the salicinoids salicin, esculetin and chaenomeloidin found in feeds, were not recovered in milk but salicylic acid, found in all feeds, was present equally in the milk of both control and treated goats. Only two compounds directly related to the metabolism of salicin, i.e., salicylic acid and saligenin, were found in milk. Overall, milk from willow silage-fed goats contained more phenolic compounds, including benzyl alcohol, hydroquinone, methyl-syringate (P<0.001), and a saligenin derivative (P<0.005), and tended to contain more 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and hippuric acid (P<0.10) than milk from all-hay fed goats. Volcano plot-to-target changes in milk metabolites related to willow (untargeted LC-TOF-MS) showed intense upregulation of sulfated derivatives of phenolics. Growing willow for silage for dairy goats is an appropriate way to produce feed where saline water irrigation is available.

Determination of the Eff ects of Silage Type, Silage Consumption, Birth Type and Birth Weight on Fattening Final Live Weight in Kıvırcık Lambs with MARS and Bagging MARS Algorithms

Determination of the Eff ects of Silage Type, Silage Consumption, Birth Type and Birth Weight on Fattening Final Live Weight in Kıvırcık Lambs with MARS and Bagging MARS Algorithms

Silage and haylage as forage in slow and fast-growing broilers – effects on performance in Campylobacter jejuni infected birds

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the effects of daily intake of silage or haylage on broiler production performance and organ development. Furthermore, effects of daily intake of Lactobacillus plantarum either via silage or by supplemented drinking water, on Campylobacter jejuni loads in faeces were studied. 2. To test this, a 42-d experiment using Ross 308 and a 63-d experiment with Rowan Rangers hybrids, were performed. Silage inoculated with L. plantarum strain 256 and haylage were fed in total mixed rations with mixtures of 85% of pellets and 15% of respective forage (DM-based weight). Feed intake (FI), forage intake, body weight (BW) and feed conversion ration (FCR) were monitored weekly. Mortality was recorded daily, and organ weights were registered at slaughter. Quantification of C. jejuni was performed by colony counts from faecal samples after culture on agar plates. 3. There was a negative effect of haylage on BW and FI in the fast-growing Ross 308 hybrid. Silage had a negative effect on BW only on week four and six. Water inoculated with L. plantarum 256 increased BW in the starter period. Interestingly, no significant adverse effect of forage inclusion was observed in the Rowan Ranger birds. 4. Relative weight of the emptied gizzard was higher in both Ross 308 and Rowan Ranger birds fed haylage and silage than in the control group. In Ross 308 birds, both forages significantly reased the relative weight of gizzard with digestive content when compared to birds fed solely pellets. 5. In both studies, higher consumption of silage than haylage was observed. 6. In conclusion, daily intake of L. plantarum 256 either via silage or supplemented in drinking water, was not effective in reducing the shedding of C. jejuni in either Ross 308 or Rowan Ranger hybrids at the end of the rearing period.

A quantitative case study assessment of biophysical and economic effects from altering season of calving in temperate pasture-based dairy systems

In theory, a late winter-early spring calving date in temperate grazing systems best matches pasture supply and herd demand, thereby minimizing the need for nonpasture feeds and maximizing profitability. We used a quantitative case study approach to define the effects of season of calving on biophysical and financial performance in a grazing system without the confounding effects of imported feeds (i.e., milk production directly from grazed pasture). A 2-yr production system experiment was established to quantify the effects of changing onset of seasonal calving (i.e., planned start of calving; PSC) from winter (July in the Southern Hemisphere) to spring (October), summer, (January), or autumn (April) on pasture and animal production and profitability. Eighty Holstein-Friesian cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 PSC treatments, each of which had a different PSC [mean calving date of January 10 (JAN), April 10 (APR), July 10 (JUL), or October 10 (OCT)]. Data were analyzed for consistency of treatment response over years using ANOVA procedures with year, PSC treatment, and year × PSC treatment interactions as fixed effects. Collated biological data and financial data extracted from a national economic database were used as fixed variables to model the financial performance for the different treatments. A stochastic risk analysis was undertaken, where historical pasture growth and milk price data were used to estimate the probability distributions for stochastic input variables. Gross farm revenue and operating profit per hectare were modeled under 2 scenarios: (A) milk price did not include a premium for milk supplied during the winter, and (B) milk price included a realistic premium for milk supplied in winter. Annual and seasonal pasture growth did not differ between treatments, but the pasture growth (kg of dry matter/ha) and profile of the JUL treatment best matched the lactation nutrient demand profile. In comparison, profiles for JAN, APR, and OCT calving treatments had periods of greater surplus and deficit due to the time of calving and herd demand relative to the pasture growth profile. As a result, the JAN and OCT treatments conserved more pasture as silage and cows consumed a larger proportion of their annual diet as silage. Although the amount of silage conserved and consumed did not differ between the JUL and APR calving treatments, the timing of the silage consumption was different, with silage making up a greater proportion of the diets in the APR treatment 1 to 90 and 91 to 180 d postcalving and being offered to the JUL calving treatment only 271 to 365 d postcalving. As a result of differences in the quantity and proportion of pasture and pasture silage in the lactating diet, the JUL treatment herd tended to produce greater milk, 4% fat-corrected milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields (kg/cow) than the other PSC treatments, which did not differ from each other. Operating expenses per hectare did not differ materially between calving date scenarios, but operating expenses per kilogram of fat-corrected milk and kilogram of fat and protein were 15 to 20% less in the JUL treatment. With or without a realistic winter milk premium, gross farm revenue and operating profit per hectare were greater in the JUL treatment than in the APR treatment, which had greater revenue and profitability than the remaining 2 calving date treatments. In summary, our results indicate that a PSC in late winter is most profitable in a grazing system not importing feed, with or without a realistic price incentive scheme.

Nutrient intake, feeding patterns, and abnormal behavior of growing bulls fed different concentrate levels and a single fiber source (corn stover silage)

Twenty-eight bulls weighing 227 ± 6.8 (SD) kg were randomly assigned to four concentrate levels (1-1.5 kg [low level of concentrate {LC}], 1.5-2 kg [medium level of concentrate], 2-2.5 kg [high level of concentrate {HC}], and 2.5-3 kg [highest level of concentrate {H+C}]) and fed corn stover silage ad libitum. At the beginning of the experiment, the bulls in each treatment were fed 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 kg of concentrate, respectively, and these levels were increased by 0.25 kg at the end of each month to compensate for the growth requirements of the bulls. After three months, increases in the concentrate level from LC to HC resulted in increased (P < 0.05) trend of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber intake, whereas the decreasing (P < 0.05) trend of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber intake was observed when concentrate level was increased from HC to H+C. The longest (P < 0.05) time required to consume the concentrate was observed in the H+C treatment, whereas the lowest time (P < 0.05) required to consume the concentrate was observed in the LC treatment. The highest (P < 0.05) silage consumption was observed for the LC treatment at 16:00 (26 minutes). Chewing was highest (P < 0.05) at 04:00 and 18:00 for the H+C treatment. The LC bulls showed longer (P < 0.05) lying behavior during 18:00 and 24:00 compared with other groups. Abnormal behavior was maximum (P < 0.05) in the H+C bulls at 09:00 (17 minutes). Overall, increasing the concentrate in the diet altered specific behaviors and increased the abnormal behaviors, which could compromise the bulls' welfare.

Occurrence of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in maize silage in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia

Abstract Silage made from the whole-plant maize is one of the most popular forages in Serbia. Consumption of maize silage by cows can be up to 30-35 kg/day. In Serbia in the few last years in the focus of the public and agriculture community were two mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and its metabolite aflatoxin M1 due to the outbreak of contaminated maize which affected the Balkans in 2012. Maize is regularly checked on the occurrence of aflatoxin B1, however forages are often neglected as a potential source of mycotoxins in the nutrition of dairy cattle. In this work, 48 samples of maize silage were analyzed for the occurrence of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone. Samples were collected from three regions (Bačka, Banat and Srem) in Vojvodina. In all samples, at least one mycotoxin above the limit of quantification was measured. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 36 (75%) samples. In two samples from Banat, the concentration of aflatoxin B1 exceeded the maximum level (ML) set by Serbian regulation (30 µg/kg at moisture content of 12%). In seven samples, the concentration of aflatoxin B1 was above 20 µg/kg which is the EU regulated ML. Average concentration of ochratoxin A was 10.4 µg/kg, while the maximum measured value was 34.3 µg/kg. Maximum zearalenone content in all samples was 538 µg/kg while the average zearalenone concentration was 138 µg/kg. The results from this research point out that mycotoxin contaminated silage in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia can significantly contribute to daily intake of aflatoxin B1 in dairy cattle.

Inclusion of intensively manipulated silage in total mixed ration to growing pigs – influence on silage consumption, nutrient digestibility and pig behaviour

ABSTRACTThis study investigated how intensively manipulated grass/clover silage (finer structure than chopped silage) fed in total mixed ration (TMR), influenced feed consumption, total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and pig behaviour. Ten Yorkshire x Hampshire (YH) pigs were included in a digestibility experiment and 64 YH pigs in a behaviour experiment. Pigs received TMR with 20% dry matter inclusion of either intensively manipulated (SI) or chopped silage (SC). Behaviour was registered with instantaneous and continuous sampling. SI pigs consumed more silage (p = 0.001) and spent more time eating from the through (p < 0.01), however no significant difference in TTAD was found (p > 0.05). Less social interactions prior to feeding (p = 0.029) and less rooting after feeding (p < 0.05) were found among SI pigs, indicating SI pigs being more satisfied for a longer time after feeding. We conclude that TMR with intensively manipulated silage benefits feed consumption and increases the opportunities for pigs perform feed-related behaviours.

How does feeding organic broilers high levels of alfalfa silage affect the meat quality?

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of young harvested alfalfa silage as a protein source in the diet of organic broilers on the meat quality. Four groups were formed: In control group A, animals received a complete feed mixture (CFM); in the next three groups, animals received a supplemental feed mixture (SFM) and alfalfa silage as chopped (group B), extruded (group C) and pelleted (group D). Alfalfa meal (12%) was integrated into the CFM and rapeseed oil into the SFM (3.75%) and also into the pellets (3%). The broilers consumed up to 30% of silage of their daily dry matter intake. Silage improved the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly n-3. High levels of silage consumption and consequently high ratios of alfalfa/fat in the diets of groups B and C were related to the low content of cholesterol in the meat. Sensory characteristics were not affected and sensory abnormalities were not detected. Alfalfa silage altered the meat colour; however, the yellow intensity (b*) depended on the ratio of fat/silage of the diet. Group D showed the lowest silage intake but the highest b* due to the highest fat/silage ratio of the diets. The applied processes (chopping, extrusion or pelletisation) for the obtainment of silage had no effect on the quality of the meat. The production of organic meat with the mentioned positive characteristics using alfalfa silage for the market is possible.

РАЗРАБОТКА СУХОГО БАКТЕРИАЛЬНОГО ПРЕПАРАТА ДЛЯ СИЛОСОВАНИЯ С ОПТИМАЛЬНЫМ СООТНОШЕНИЕМ МОЛОЧНОКИСЛЫХ И ПРОПИОНОВОКИСЛЫХ КУЛЬТУР

&lt;p&gt;Silage represents the main forage for agricultural animals during a winter period and requires the use of preservatives providing the maintenance of its quality. The use of microbial biopreservatives improves the silage consumption and productivity of animals. Multicomponent biopreservatives containing lactic acid and propionic acid bacteria are able to significantly improve organoleptic qualities and preservation of silage, especially its aerobic staility. In this study, the technology of production of liophylized bacterial preparations of earlier developed &lt;em&gt;Lactobacillus plantarum&lt;/em&gt; VKPM B-4173, &lt;em&gt;Lactococcus lactis&lt;/em&gt; subsp. &lt;em&gt;lactis&lt;/em&gt; VKPM В-2092, and &lt;em&gt;Propionibacterium acidipropionici&lt;/em&gt; VKPM В-5723 strains, characterized by valuable traits, has been developed. The optimum modes of the culture broth concentration and freeze-drying have been developed, which provide the minimization of biomass losses and obtaining of dry preparations containing at least 1 · 10&lt;sup&gt;11&lt;/sup&gt; CFU/mL of viable cells. The optimum flow rate for the streaming centrifuging was 130 L/h, and the optimum temperature and duration of a preliminary freezing before the freexe-drying were 8 h at –35-40°С or 12-14 h at –25°С. The analysis of the effect of different proportions of the used strains in the final preparation on some qualitative characteristics of silage made it possible to determine the optimal proportion of &lt;em&gt;L. plantarum&lt;/em&gt; VKPM B-4173, &lt;em&gt;L. lactis&lt;/em&gt; VKPM В-2092, and &lt;em&gt;P. acidipropionici&lt;/em&gt; VKPM В-5723 strains equal to 2 : 2 : 1, respectively. The use of such biopreservative provides the maintenance of the maximum protein content (94% of the initial level) and the maximum concent of total organic acids (2.9%) in the corn silage at the 60&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; day of storage. In this case, the content of lactic and acetic acids was equal to 69.4 and 31.1% of the total organic acid content, respectively. In addition, this proportion provided the minimum ammonium content in the silage (125±5 ppm or 61.6% of the control). Based on the obtained results, authors recommend to use the developed biopreservative for the improvement of the silage quality.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Silage of young harvested alfalfa (Medicago sativa) as home-grown protein feed in the organic feeding of laying hens

The aim of the study was to assess the suitability of very young harvested alfalfa as a protein source for laying hens. Alfalfa was harvested at a very early stage of maturity, chopped and conserved as silage. A subset of the crop was additionally treated with a twin-screw extruder prior to ensiling. For the feeding trial, four groups were investigated. The control group (A) was fed with a complete feed mixture, groups B and C were offered the chopped and extruded silage, as well as a supplemental feed mixture and group D received pellets which consisted of the extruded silage and the supplemental feed mixture. The silage was calculated to form 20 % (in relation to the dry matter) of the daily diet of the animals. For this purpose, the offered supplemental feed mixture was matched with regard to the nutrient content to the desired silage intake. The feed was offered ad libitum. The silage consumption represented 10 to 20 % of the dry matter intake and is apparently influenced by the offer of the outdoor access. Laying performance, egg weight and body weights of the animals in the experimental groups reached the level of the control group. It was concluded that the use of significant amounts of very young harvested alfalfa which was ensiled is possible without losses of performance in the organic feeding of laying hens. The additional extrusion treatment of the wilted crop had no benefit, either for the ensiling or for the animals’ productivity.

Dietary effect of silage type and combination with camelina seed on milk fatty acid profile and antioxidant capacity of sheep milk

The present study sought to quantify the differences between maize-based (MS) and grass-silage-based (GS) diets in terms of their effect on the milk yield, milk fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity in dairy ewes, and to test the hypothesis that it is possible to improve yield, fatty acid (FA) composition and antioxidant capacity by supplementing diet with camelina seed (Cs). Experimental diets consisted of a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of type of silage (GS vs. MS) and camelina seed (−Cs vs. +Cs). Feeding the MS diets increased net energy for lactation (NEL) intake, raw milk yield and fat, protein and lactose yields. Feeding +Cs increased energy corrected milk (ECM), milk fat content and fat yield. Maize silage consumption is associated with an increased proportion of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (HFA) and a higher value of the atherogenicity index. However, an MS diet led to an increased share of t11-C18:1 and c9,t11-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk. Milk FA profile in ewes fed GS diet was of higher quality for human beings owing to higher concentrations of α-linolenic acid and a lower content of HFA. Supplementing with camelina seed resulted in a higher concentration of t11-C18:1, c9,t11-CLA and C18:3n-3 in milk fat. The trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of milk was higher in milk from MS-fed ewes compared with that of their counterparts fed GS. Dietary supplementation with camelina seed increased the oxidative stability of milk samples. These results suggest that grass-silage-based diet supplemented with camelina seed results in milk of better quality for human consumption.Keywords: Milk quality, oilseed, PUFA profile, oxidative stability of milk, TEAC assay

Hooked! Seductive Details in Soil Science

Hooked! Seductive Details in Soil Science

Bioaccumulation of perfluoroalkyl acids in dairy cows in a naturally contaminated environment

Beef and dairy products may be important vectors of human exposure to perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), but the understanding of how PFAAs are accumulated and transferred through agricultural food chains is very limited. Here, the bioaccumulation of PFAAs in dairy cows receiving naturally contaminated feed and drinking water was investigated by conducting a mass balance of PFAAs for a herd of dairy cows in a barn on a typical Swedish dairy farm. It was assumed that the cows were able to reach steady state with their dietary intake of PFAAs. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with 8 to 12 carbons were detected in cow tissue samples (liver, muscle, and blood) at concentrations up to 130 ng kg(-1). Mass balance calculations demonstrated an agreement between total intake and excretion within a factor of 1.5 and consumption of silage was identified as the dominant intake pathway for all PFAAs. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) were highly tissue and homologue specific. While BMFs of PFOS and PFCAs with 9 and 10 fluorinated carbons in liver ranged from 10 to 20, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was not biomagnified (BMF<1) in any of the investigated tissues. Biotransfer factors (BTFs; defined as the concentration in tissue divided by the total daily intake) were calculated for muscle and milk. Log BTFs ranged from -1.95 to -1.15 day kg(-1) with the highest BTF observed for PFOS in muscle. Overall, the results of this study suggest that long-chain PFAAs have a relatively high potential for transfer to milk and beef from the diet of dairy cows. However, a low input of PFAAs to terrestrial systems via atmospheric deposition and low bioavailability of PFAAs in soil limits the amount of PFAAs that enter terrestrial agricultural food chains in background contaminated environments and makes this pathway less important than aquatic exposure pathways. The BTFs estimated here provide a useful tool for predicting human exposure to PFAAs via milk and beef under different contamination scenarios.

Milk yield and composition of dairy Zaraibi goats fed microbial inoculated corn silage.

ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted on Twenty-two dairy Zaraibi nanny goats to assess the effect of feeding either un-inoculated corn silage (UCS), or microbial inoculated corn silage (BICS) on quantity of feed consumption, live body weight, milk production, milk composition and some blood parameters. Zaraibi nanny goats were allocated in two treatment groups (n=11). The does were received diets from pre-mating up to end of lactation period. Nannies were similar in breeding season and production performance. The concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and wheat straw (WS) were fed as basal diet to the two experimental groups. The first group (G1) was fed basal diets + un-inoculated corn silage while, the second group (G2) nourished basal diets + microbial inoculated corn silage. The amounts of diets were adjusted according to NRC (2007) allowances. Both G1 and G2 were housed in separated pens under similar environmental condition. The salt blocks and fresh water were freely given throughout the experimental period. The results indicated that the average feed consumption of silage and total dry matter were increased for does fed BICS (G2) compared to those fed UCS (G1), while consumption of CFM and WS were not affected. There are no significant differences in live body weight changes between the experimental groups during different periods (from mating to post weaning). Yield of suckling and lactation milk was significantly (P<0.05) higher for G2 than G1.Milk contents of protein and lactose during suckling and lactation periods were significantly (P<0.05) higher in G2. G2 also during suckling and lactation periods had significantly (P<0.05) higher hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, albumin and urea nitrogen than G1,. Serum globulin recoded booster level in G2 than G1 during suckling period (P<0.05). It is concluded that feeding microbial inoculated corn silage increased milk production, milk contents of protein and lactose and increased hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin.

Surto de compactação primária de abomaso em bovinos leiteiros associado ao consumo de silagem de girassol

Um surto de compactação primária de abomaso associada ao consumo de silagem de girassol ocorreu num rebanho bovino leiteiro do estado de Minas Gerais, do qual seis de 21 vacas secas em fase final de gestação e que recebiam silagem de girassol morreram. Os bovinos que adoeceram apresentaram distensão abdominal, fezes ressecadas e escassas e, nos bovinos que morreram, eram pastosas, escuras e fétidas; nesses havia também desidratação acentuada e palidez de mucosas. Três bovinos foram necropsiados e os achados patológicos eram constituídos principalmente por distensão acentuada do abomaso associada a grande quantidade de conteúdo alimentar ressecado coberto por coágulos de sangue. No abomaso havia úlceras, com perfuração da parede em um dos bovinos. A alimentação de bovinos de maior exigência nutricional com silagem de girassol de características indesejáveis como única fonte de volumoso foi o principal fator para a compactação de abomaso nos casos apresentados.

The profitability of early grass silage harvesting on dairy goat farms in mountainous areas of Norway

This study evaluates how harvesting regimes (HRs) of grass silage influences economic return and optimal use of inputs, in particular fertilisers and concentrates, in dairy goat farming in mountainous areas of Norway. Goats in such areas are fed indoors with conserved silages (mostly grass silage) and concentrate supplements for up to 9 months a year. A whole-farm linear programming model was developed to examine three HRs: very early (HR1), early (HR2) and normal (HR3), producing silage containing different concentrations of net energy. Linear input/output response relations incorporated into the model were derived from a field experiment with two levels of fertilisation and an animal experiment with two levels of concentrate feeding to supplement silage from each HR. The model maximises total gross margin of a dairy goat farm with 70,000l milk quota, and stalling capacity for 100 goats. Farmland availability varied from 4 to 10ha with 6.5ha as the basis. The study demonstrates that farmland availability profoundly influences the choice of input intensity and the profitability of producing and feeding high quality grass silage to dairy goats. At 6.5ha, optimal input of fertilisers and concentrates as well as output of milk per goat was highest when fed HR1 and HR2 silage. However, HR3 was most profitable as benefits such as higher milk yield and better milk price due to higher total solids content for HR1 and HR2, did not offset the additional costs and increased shortage of silage at lower yields achieved and the higher consumption of silage. HR1 was particularly unfavourable as it was impossible to fully produce the milk quota. More land than 6.7ha was necessary for HR2 to outperform HR3. Inputs of fertilisers and concentrates could be reduced as more land became available, however, at the lowest land constraint for HR3. By removing the milk quota, the profitability of HR3 was strengthened at limited land availabilities, at 7ha HR2 surpassed HR3 in profit and above 8.5ha HR1 was most competitive.

Input-output cost of agronomic production of crops under rotate growing condition for applying to Mediterranean Italian buffaloes

Forage availability with low cost of production is the main farmer requisite for obtaining a competitive husbandry dairy product in the market. Cropping system for silage consumption differently impact the cost of Milk Feeding Unit (MFU) and sustainable agronomic cultivation of herbage production. The experiment aimed to assess the analytical cost of MFU per hectare in four forage cropping system models based on two crops per year bred under irrigated and rainfed condition in a Mediterranean site with intensive buffaloes breeding pressure.

Fermentation acids, aerobic fungal growth, and intake of napiergrass ensiled with nonfiber carbohydrates.

This study evaluated fermentation characteristics and fungal numbers of napiergrass silages prepared with and without added raw or heated corn meal (10%, fresh-weight basis) at ensiling. Corn was added to napiergrass so that the silage would contain concentrate similar to that of corn silage with minimum grain content. The silages treated with raw or heated corn were fed to dairy does to compare voluntary silage consumption. After 8 wk of fermentation, pH for silage treated with heated corn was lowest, and that for napiergrass ensiled alone was highest among the treatments. The addition of corn increased lactic acid, but propionic and butyric acids were also elevated. Acetic acid decreased in response to the supplementation of corn but remained the dominant acid for all silages. Numbers of fungi (yeasts plus molds) in silages did not differ significantly at silo opening or after 24 h of exposure to air. However, the numbers of fungi at 48 h in aerated silages containing corn were lower than were the fungi counts in the control silage. When the silages were offered free choice along with concentrate at a fixed rate, dairy does tended to consume more silage treated with heated corn than raw corn. Whole-tract nutrient digestibility and serum glucose and urea N were not altered. These results indicate that the addition of either raw or heated corn meal to napiergrass at ensiling was beneficial to silage fermentation quality because it decreased pH, increased lactic acid, and apparently suppressed fungal populations via elevated antifungal acids. A further advantage of heated corn vs. raw corn was increased silage intake.