Effect Of Dry Matter Content Research Articles

Genotypic variability and genetic parameters for root yield, dry matter and related traits of cassava in the Guinea Savannah ecological zone of Ghana

The aim of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and genetic parameters governing storage root yield and related traits in cassava genotypes in order to identify superior genotypes. The study involved 18 elite cassava genotypes which were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and assessed for storage root yield and yield components (12 months after planting) in the Guinea savannah ecology of Ghana for three seasons. Analysis of variance indicated significant (p < 0.05) genotype and year main effects for fresh and dry root yields, dry matter content, starch yield and harvest index. Genotype × year effect was significant (p < 0.05) for fresh root yield, dry root yield and starch yield. Estimates of the variance components revealed greater genotypic influence for starch yield, fresh and dry root yields implying the potential for genetic gain with selection for these traits among the genotypes. Relatively high (69 %) broad sense heritability estimate was observed for dry storage root yield indicating the depth of genetic influence. Path coefficient analysis revealed a direct positive effect of dry matter content on dry storage root yield whilst dry storage root yield had direct positive effect on starch yield suggesting the possibility of indirect selection for starch yield through dry storage root yield. The study revealed ample genotypic variability among the cassava genotypes to warrant selection. Four genotypes, IBA 070134, IBA 419, IBA 950289 and IBA 980581 were identified for high and stable fresh and dry root yields for multilocational testing.

Effect of dry matter content on the microbial community and on the effectiveness of a microbial inoculant to improve the aerobic stability of corn silage

Silage inoculants are commonly used as a tool to improve the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage fed to dairy cows. However, their effectiveness can be inconsistent. Our objective was to determine the effect of the dry matter (DM) content of freshly chopped whole-plant corn on its microbial community as affected by an inoculant containing Lentilactobacillus hilgardii, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, and Pediococcus pentosaceus on improving the aerobic stability of silage. Whole-plant corn was harvested at low (31.80%, LDM), medium (33.32%, MDM), or high (39.44%, HDM) DM content and treated with nothing (CTR) or an inoculant (INO) containing L. hilgardii CNCM I-4785 at 150,000 cfu/g fresh forage, L. buchneri NCIMB 40788 at 150,000 cfu/g fresh forage, P. pentosaceus NCIMB12455 at 100,000 cfu/g of fresh forage, β-glucanase (5,750 IU/g), and xylanase (30,000 IU/g) and ensiled for 20 and 60 d. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design in a 3-by-2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Fresh LDM forage had a higher concentration of reducing sugars, a less rich, diverse, and even bacterial community, and greater relative abundance of Saccharomycetales than MDM and HDM forages. Silages at 20 and 60 d, inoculated LDM had a more modest proliferation of culturable lactic acid bacteria than inoculated MDM. At 20 d, regardless of treatment, LDM had greater concentrations of lactic and acetic acids. Also at 20 d, LDM had lower numbers of culturable yeasts but greater relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae than MDM and HDM. For silage at 20 d, HDM silage was more aerobically stable than LDM and MDM and inoculation improved aerobic stability 1.8-fold compared with CTR. For silage at 60 d, there was an interaction between DM content and inoculation. The improvements in stability by inoculation, compared with CTR, were greater in MDM (261 vs. 41 h) and HDM (320 vs. 66 h) silages than in LDM (85 vs. 46 h). The lower DM content and possible slower pH decline in LDM might have facilitated the development of undesirable bacteria and coupled with its greater concentration of reducing sugars and lactic and acetic acids, which are substrates for aerobic microorganisms, might explain the more modest improvements in aerobic stability from inoculation in LDM compared with MDM and HDM. Our findings suggest that the DM content of whole-plant corn affected its epiphytic microbial community and the effectiveness of the inoculant, which improved aerobic stability at all DM but to a greater extent in HDM and MDM than in LDM, especially after 60 d of ensiling.

Analysis of the effect of air temperature on ammonia emission from band application of slurry

Field application of liquid animal manure (slurry) is a significant source of ammonia (NH3) emission to the atmosphere. It is well supported by theory and previous studies that air temperature effects NH3 flux from field applied slurry. The objectives of this study was to statistically model the response of temperature at the time of application on cumulative NH3 emission. Data from 19 experiments measured with the same system of dynamic chambers and online measurements were included. A generalized additive model allowing to represent non-linear functional dependences of the emission on the temperature revealed that a positive response of the cumulative NH3 emission on the temperature at the time of application up to a temperature of approximately 14 °C. Above that, the temperature effect is insignificant. Average temperature over the measuring period was not found to carry any additional information on the cumulative NH3 emission. The lack of emission response on temperature above a certain point is assumed to be caused by drying out of the slurry and possible crust formation. This effect is hypothesized to create a physical barrier that reduce diffusion of NH3 to the soil surface, thereby lowering the emission rate. Furthermore, the effect of the interaction between soil type and application technique and the effect of dry matter content of the slurry was derived from the model, and found to be significant on cumulative NH3 emission predictions.

High consistency mechano-enzymatic pretreatment for kraft fibres: effect of treatment consistency on fibre properties

Fibre reactivity is essential for cellulose dissolution and derivatisation and a porous fibre structure is one key determinant for a highly reactive pulp. Mechanical and enzymatic treatments are known to improve fibre reactivity and more recently, the combination of mechano-enzymatic treatment has been shown to synergistically enhance the beneficial effect. The aim of this work was to do a systematic study on the effect of dry matter content during enzymatic modification of fibres and define the conditions that optimally improve fibre porosity. The combined mechano-enzymatic treatments at 15–25 w% consistency had the most pronounced effect on fibre porosity and morphology analysed by solute exclusion technique, nitrogen sorption and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopy imaging confirmed that the combined mechano-enzymatic treatment at high consistency (> 10 w%) resulted in extensive fibrillation of the treated fibres which was not observed after sole mechanical or enzymatic treatments.

Combined effects of dry matter content, incubation temperature and final pH of fermentation on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic fermented milk

Combined effects of milk non-fat dry matter content (4, 8 or 12%), incubation temperature (37, 40 or 44°C) and final pH of fermentation (4.2 or 4.5) on biochemical and microbiological characteristics of probiotic fermented milk (Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, and yogurt bacteria) during and immediately after fermentation were investigated. Treatments containing higher dry matter contents had slower pH and redox potential decline rates, faster acidity increase rate, longer incubation time and greater final titrable acidity. Treatments fermented at higher temperatures with lower final pH displayed longer fermentation time and greater final titrable acidity. Treatments with higher dry matter non-fat contents, lower incubation temperatures and higher final pH of fermentation possessed greater viability of probiotic bacteria. The concentration of lactic acid in treatments increased in parallel with the titrable acidity and the concentration of acetic acid were proportional to the viability of bifidobacteria. Key words: Bifidobacteria, fermented milk, Lactobacillus acidophilus, probiotic, viability.

Comportamento ingestivo e digestão de nutrientes em bovinos de corte alimentados com silagem de capim

The main objective was to study the effect of dry matter content, the addition of bacterial inoculant and particle size reduction on Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) silage on digestive parameters. Seven ruminally cannulated Nellore beef steers were randomly assigned to a 7 x 7 Latin Square design. Treatments were described as follows: T1: wet forage + small particle; T2: T1 + inoculant; T4: wilting + large particle; T3: T4 + inoculant; T6: wet forage + large particle; T5: T6 + inoculant; T7: T6 + ground pearl millet grain. The ruminal passage rate of solid (2.35% h-1) and liquid (3.17% h-1) phases were similar across treatments. The animal intake behavior was not significantly changed by treatments, averaging 293 (minutes d-1) and 68 (minutes DM kg-1) for time and rate of eating, respectively. For rumination and chewing, the mean values observed were 432 (minutes d-1), 102 (minutes DM kg-1) and 725 (minutes d-1), 170 (minutes DM kg-1), respectively. No significant differences were observed for the DM (61.40%), ADF (59.69%), CP (43.93%) and NDF (60.34%) digestibilities. The mean DM intake (1.1% BW) was not different among treatments. It was concluded that the strategies adopted during the ensiling of Tanzania grass did not result in significant changes on the parameters.

Influence of ensiling forages at different dry matters and silage additives on lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition

White and red clover silages have been shown to result in a higher transfer efficiency of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to the milk or meat of ruminants compared to ryegrass silages. For red clover this has been related to protein bound phenols formed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO). PPO is typically active in red clover and the protein bound phenols, which are the result of PPO activity, could result in a decrease in PUFA biohydrogenation in the rumen through inhibition of lipolysis in the silage and/or in the rumen, as lipolysis is a prerequisite of biohydrogenation. Higher transfers of white clover PUFA have been associated with increased rumen outflow rates, although lower in silo lipolysis also has been observed. No research on effect of ensiling agricultural practice as dry matter (DM) and using different silage additives on extent of in silo lipolysis has been performed earlier. Therefore, the goal of this experiment was to study the effect of formic acid, an inoculum or a carbonate buffer as a silage additive and DM content of the wilted forages at ensiling on fatty acid (FA) composition and lipolysis in silages of red clover, white clover and ryegrass. Furthermore, it was attempted to link lipase activity measured as the p-nitrophenyl butyrate hydrolyzing activity of a protein extract with in silo lipolysis and to study the correlation of this enzyme activity with the amount of protein bound phenols. Higher DM content at ensiling resulted in lower linolenic acid concentrations, which was suggested to be related to the longer wilting period and more extensive oxidation. Formic acid resulted in a lower lipolysis in all forages compared to the other treatments. The effect of DM content was rather limited, although lipolysis decreased slightly with increasing DM content in ryegrass. Lipolysis was lower in silages of red and white clover compared to ryegrass at 300 g DM/kg. At higher DM contents lipolysis was equal or lower in ryegrass silages. Enzyme activity measurements indicated bound phenols could inhibit enzyme activity, both in red and in white clover. However, no direct link between measured plant lipase activity of wilted forages and in silo lipolysis could be found.

Influência do teor de matéria seca e do inoculante bacteriano nas características físicas e químicas da silagem de capim Tanzânia

The present trial aimed to study the effect of dry matter content and the addition of bacterial inoculant on the ensilage of Tanzânia grass. The bacterial inoculant did not alter crude protein content. Dry matter recovery rates, effluent yield and DM gases losses were 90.6%, 53.7 kg t-1 wet forage, 6.4% for the wet silages; 93.6%, 16.8 kg t-1 wet forage, 5.0% for millet added silages and 92.2%, 3.6 kg t-1 wet forage, 6.2% for the wilted silages, respectively. The silages dry matter content influenced wet bulk density/dry matter silo bulk density resulting in 346/105, 455/145 and 442/97 kg m-3 for the wilted, millet added and wet silages, respectively. Because the increase on dry matter content was not offsets in DM recovery rate, although there were some changes in chemical composition, the adoption and field recommendation of strategies will be dependent on the operational and costs restrictions

Effects of dry matter content on trypsin inhibitors and urease activity in heat treated soya beans fed to weaned piglets

A nutrition study was conducted to evaluate the growth response of weaned piglets fed diets containing soya beans that had been processed into protein supplements at two different levels of dry matter (DM) and temperature. Four diets contained protein supplements prepared from whole full-fat soya beans equilibrated at 800 or 900 g kg −1 DM prior to being heated to 110 or 125°C. An additional diet contained a protein supplement prepared from raw whole full-fat soya beans at 900 g kg −1 DM; i.e. an unheated soya bean protein supplement. The experimental control diet was supplemented with a solvent extracted commercially processed soya bean meal (900 g kg −1 DM) containing 480 g crude protein kg −1. Soya beans at 900 g kg −1 DM prior to heat treatment at 110°C produced protein supplements, after heat treatment, that had higher residual levels of trypsin inhibitors and urease activity than measured in soya beans at 800 g kg −1 DM prior to the same heat treatment. The moisture content of soya beans prior to heat treatment affected the level of heat necessary to lower values for trypsin inhibitors and urease activity. Soya beans at 800 g kg −1 DM prior to heating at 110°C, produced a protein supplement with similar residual concentrations of trypsin inhibitors and urease activity to soya beans at 900 g kg −1 DM prior to heating at 125°C. This observation suggested that the soya beans with higher moisture content required lower heat energy to inactivate trypsin inhibitors and urease. The pen unit response of piglets fed the diet containing the soya bean protein supplement prepared from soybeans processed at 900 g kg −1 DM and heated to 110°C was not improved when compared to piglets fed the diet containing the unheated soya bean protein supplement. Soya beans at 800 or 900 g kg −1 DM prior to heating to 110°C, or soybeans at 900 g kg −1 DM heated to 125°C, produced protein supplements that were inadequately heat processed as indicated by the values for residual trypsin inhibitors and urease activity, and, the depressed pen unit response of piglets when compared to those fed the control diet. In contrast, piglets fed the protein supplement prepared from soya beans at 800 g kg −1 DM prior to heating to 125°C, displayed an average daily feed intake and feed-to-gain ratio that did not differ significantly from piglets fed the control diet. These data indicate that when whole full-fat soya beans were processed by the dry roasting method, their initial DM content of 800 or 900 g kg −1 affected the processing temperature necessary to denature or otherwise inactivate inherent trypsin inhibitors and urease activity.

Effect of dry matter content at baling on change in forage constituents during the storage of alfalfa hay

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of DM content at baling on the pattern of forage constituent change and on DM and nutrient losses during storage. Alfalfa forage, baled at 64.1–66.2, 71.9–73.2 and 75.4–77.4% DM, was designated Low, Medium, and High DM treatments, respectively. Hay generated from each treatment was stored in a pole structure as two 74-bale stacks per treatment, using a bale wagon. Core samples were collected from bales on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 60 of storage. Bale temperature was monitored for eight bales per treatment daily for the first 35 d of storage and then on days 45, 50, and 60. Peak storage temperature reached was influenced (P < 0.05) by forage DM at baling; the highest peak temperature being associated with Low DM hay. DM losses also were higher (P < 0.05) in Low DM hay relative to either Medium or High DM hays, averaging 10.1, 4.5, and 3.0%, respectively. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN), and glucosamine contents increased in all forage treatments during storage; the extent of increase was more (P < 0.05) in Low DM hay than in High DM hay. Cellulose, lignin and crude protein (CP) concentrations followed a similar pattern during storage for hay baled and stored at the three DM contents. Soluble carbohydrate content loss was higher (P < 0.05) in Low DM hay relative to High DM hay. Forage DM content at baling will influence stack temperatures and extent of nutrient change during storage. Most changes m constituents of low DM hay occurred within the first 14 d of storage, a period within which peak temperatures were recorded in all forages. The study also showed that alfalfa forage can be stored at a DM content of 76% with minimal nutrient change and loss, which is lower than normally recommended. Key words: Alfalfa hay, storage, nutrients, DM contents, temperature

The Effect of Dry Matter Content of A Straw/Sugar Beet Pulp Mixture Used As A Buffer Feed When Fed to Dairy Cows at Different Stages of Lactation

Buffer feeding is a widely used strategy to improve DM intakes from dairy cows at grass. A very wide range of products have been used as buffer feeds resulting in a wide range of responses. Less well understood are which factors are important in explaining these responses. In this experiment the buffer feed characteristic “dry matter content” and the animal factor “stage of lactation” were used as variables in order to gain a better understanding of responses to buffer feeding.Forty Friesian cows, of which 20 were spring calving and 20 autumn calving were used in a continuous design experiment lasting 5 weeks from 3 May until 7 June 1993. The animals were allocated to four treatments on basis of milk yield, liveweight and stage of lactation. The treatments were grazing only (C), grazing and a buffer feed at 30% DM (B30), 50% DM (B50) and 80% DM (B80) and for each treatment half the cows were spring calving (S) or autumn calving (A). The grazing consisted of a 8 ha field of predominantly perennial ryegrass which was split into 4 equal paddocks which were grazed on a daily rotational basis.

Effects of dry-matter content on the nutritive value of individually wrapped round-bale timothy silage fed to sheep

Thirty-two sheep (30.0 kg avg. BW) were used to study the effects of dry-matter (DM) content at harvest on the nutritive value of timothy grass silages conserved as round bales of high (52.1%, DM50), medium (39.9%, DM40) and low (23.1%, DM25) DM. Chopped grass of 24.4% DM conserved in a horizontal silo (HS) was used as a control. Gross energy, crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents were similar for all silages (P > 0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents decreased as DM of the silages decreased (P < 0.05). Acid detergent lignin and ash contents were highest in HS and lowest in DM40 silages (P < 0.05). Silage pH and water-soluble carbohydrates decreased with decreasing DM of the silages (P < 0.05), while ammonia-N and lactate levels increased (P < 0.05). Acetate concentrations in round bales were lower than in HS silage (P < 0.05). Significant butyrate concentrations were detected only in DM25 silage. Round-bale silages were chopped before feeding and fed ad libitum. DM intake was 14.5% higher for DM50 and DM40 silages than for DM25 and HS silages (P < 0.001). Average daily gain and feed efficiency were higher for high-DM silages than for DM25 and HS silages (P < 0.01). Apparent digestibilities of NDF, cellulose and crude fiber of the silages were similar, but DM, organic matter, energy and hemicellulose digestibilities were higher for HS than for DM25 silage. Apparent digestibilities of ADF and CP were higher for high-DM silages than for DM25 and HS silages (P < 0.04). The results indicate that to obtain good-quality silage, the DM content of round bales should be 40–50%. The better performance obtained with high-DM silages was indicative of a more efficient utilization of metabolizable energy for gain. Key words: Round-bale silage, timothy, forage

Effects of Dry Matter Content and Temperature on Ammonia Loss from Surface‐Applied Cattle Slurry

AbstractEffects of increasing dry matter content in slurry on NH3 loss was measured with a wind tunnel system, whereby parameters affecting the volatilization can be estimated under controlled conditions. The effect of dry matter content on NH3 loss was measured using a slurry adjusted to different contents of dry matter. The slurry was prepared by mixing the fibrous and liquid fractions of a mechanically separated cattle slurry. Slurry was applied to a 5 cm high grass ley (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at a rate of 3 L m−2. The content of dry matter varied from 0.9 to 22%, total N from 2.9 to 4.9 g N L−1, TAN (NH3 + NH−+4) from 1.6 to 3.0 g N L−1 and pH from 7.0 to 7.9. The results indicated that NH3 volatilization increased with increasing slurry dry matter content. The accamuiated 6‐d loss ranged from 19 to 100% of applied TAN from slurries having a dry matter content of 0.9 and 15.6%, respectively. The accumulated NH3 loss after 6 h exposure was linearly related to dry matter content. In the periods of 6 to 12 h, 12 to 24 h and 24 h to 6 d the loss was nonlinearly related to dry matter content. If the results were adjusted for effects of pH and temperature, NH3 loss tended to be sigmoidally related to content of dry matter in all four periods. Therefore, changes in slurry dry matter content on NH3 loss seemed to be small if the dry matter content was higher than 12% or lower than 4%.

The effect of dry matter content on the preservation of big hale grass silages made during the autumn on commercial farms in South Wales 1983‐87

AbstractA total of eighty‐nine big‐bale (BB) silages made on commercial farms in South Wales during the autumn in 1983‐87 were analysed to discern the effect of dry matter (DM) content on fermentation. Silages were made predominantly in late September, during fine weather from permanent pasture or perennial ryegrass pastures, which had not been grazed for 9 weeks. On average 7·8 ha of pasture were cut; most farmers attempted to pre‐wilt grass for an average of 36 h prior to ensilage in individual plastic bags. Silage making was usually completed within 4 d of starting to cut. Silage ammonia‐N content was inversely correlated with DM content. The results indicated that a DM content of about 280 g kg−1 was needed to produce well‐preserved silage with an ammonia‐N content of 100 g (kg total N)−1. Silages were, therefore, generally poorly preserved because the DM increase from wilting was only 2·3 g kg−1 h−1.

The effect of dry matter content and silage additives on the fermentation of grass silage on commercial farms

AbstractA total of 1713 samples of silage from commercial farm silos were analysed to investigate the effect of dry matter (DM) content and chemical additives on fermentation as measured by ammonia‐N concentration and pH, Increasing DM content without additive use had a major beneficial influence upon fermentation. When silage DM contents were greater than 260 g kg‐1 83% of silages were well fermented, with average ammonia‐N concentrations of 94 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH 4.36. With diminishing DM concentration the proportion of well fermented silages declined. In the DM range 220‐260 g kg‐1 67% of silages were well fermented with ammonia‐N concentrations of 125 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH 4.30, in the DM range 180‐220 g kg‐1 48% were well fermented with ammonia‐N at 151 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH 4.38 and with DM below 180 g kg‐1 no silages were well fermented with ammonia‐N concentration of 252 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH 4.84.The benefit of chemical additives, albeit at poorly defined and often inadequate rates, was small in comparison to that of increased DM concentration. Below DM concentrations of 180 and 220 g kg‐1, the only benefit was that formic acid decreased ammonia‐N to 151 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH to 4.32 compared with 163 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH 4.43 for untreated silages. Within the DM range 220‐260 g kg‐1 formic acid decreased ammonia‐N level to 104 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH to 4.07, and there was a slight benefit from using sulphuric acid/formalin which decreased ammonia‐N to 117 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH to 4.23 compared with 125 g (kg total N)‐1 and pH 4.27 for untreated silages. Above 260 g DM kg‐1 both formic acid and sulphuric acid/formalin provided a small but consistent decrease in ammonia‐N and pH compared with untreated silages. Chemical additive use conferred no other benefit when compared with untreated silage. Calcium formate/sodium nitrite mixtures and acid mixture use provided no benefit in fermentation compared with untreated herbage.

Wood molasses as a preservative for high moisture barley: 1. Preservation and digestibility in pig

Wood molasses from sulphate spent liquor was tested as a preservative for high moisture barley. In Exp. 1 wood molasses was applied at levels of 8 and 16 % of barley dry matter (DM). In Exp. 2 an application level of 12 % was compared with AIV II solution used at a level of 3 l/1000 kg. Barley was rolled before ensiling and water was added so that the moisture content was 55 % in Exp. 1 and 55—60 % in Exp. 2. Digestibility and nitrogen retention in growing pigs, liveweight 31—81 kg, were determined for dried barley, propionic acid treated barley and barleys ensiled with AIV II or wood molasses (12 % of barley DM). In Exp. 1 the application level of 8 % unneulralized wood molasses (pH 2) was sufficient to prevent deterioration during storage. The preservative effect was based mainly on the acidity provided by organic acids. With the higher level of application the lactic acid content was lower (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2barley ensiled with neutralized wood molasses had a higher (P < 0.01) lactic and acetic acid content and a lower pH value (P < 0.05) than barley ensiled with AIV II. Wood molasses decreased protein breakdown during the storage. The effect of DM content on fermentation and proteolysis was greater for AIV II ensiled barley. During the storage the sugar content increased because of starch hydrolysis. DM, organic matter (OM), NFE and starch digestibilities were lower on diets of barley ensiled with AIV II and wood molasses than on dried barley diet (P < 0.05). OM digestibilities for the diets were 82.2, 81.0 and 85.4 %, respectively. The digestibility of barley treated with propionic acid was slightly lower than that of dried barley. No differences were found in nitrogen retention.

Factors affecting diet selection by sheep. 3. Dry matter content and particle length of forage

The effects of dry matter content and particle length of forage on potential intake rate and preference by sheep were investigated using six animals held in metabolism cages. In experiment 1, freshly harvested kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) in its vegetative state was mixed in different proportions with similar material that had been oven-dried to form 15 diets ranging in dry matter content from 15 to 94%. Intake rate of wet matter decreased from 60 to 14 g/min as dry matter content increased, whereas the intake rate of dry matter increased from 9 to 14 g/min as the dry matter content of forage rose to about 40% but remained relatively constant thereafter. In experiment 2, undried kikuyu grass was eaten faster and formed a greater proportion of total intake than did dried kikuyu when expressed on a wet matter basis, but the amount of dry matter consumed from each forage was similar when they were offered together in separate containers. Kikuyu chopped to 10-mm length was eaten faster and was also preferred over kikuyu cut to 40 mm, irrespective of its dry matter content. Factors other than intake rate such as taste, odour or feel did not contribute markedly to the preference for either undried or dried kikuyu. Equations developed previously using results from dried forages predicted preference from intake rate quite well for dried forage but not for undried forage. It is suggested that the intake rate of dried forages may be a useful predictor of the preference for dry matter with forages containing any proportion of moisture, but further research is needed.

Effect of Dry Matter Content and Length of Ensiling on Quality of Alfalfa Silage

Second cutting, bud-stage alfalfa was ensiled in miniature structures limiting oxygen at four dry matter contents (38.8, 52.1, 57.8, and 65.8%) for three ensiling periods (10, 20, or 30 days). The resultant silage was assayed for various qualities including pH, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, and lactic, acetic, propionic, and isobutyric acids. Fermentation at dry matter contents of 57.8 and 65.8% resulted in pH elevated above 5.2, high acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (more than .60, percent insoluble protein 3.75 on dry weight basis), low concentration of lactic and acetic acids (less than .5% on wet weight basis), and high concentrations of isobutyrate (more than .09%) indicative of poor fermentation patterns and inferior silage. Although there was no significant effect of dry matter on temperature in the fermentation process, high percentages of insoluble nitrogen and dark color of the silage from two highest dry matters are indicative of a Maillard type browing reaction. Lactic, acetic, and propionic acids increased through 30 days following ensiling, and pH stabilized between days 10 and 20. Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen did not increase after day 10 indicating protein damage in the first 10 days of ensiling.

Effects of Dry Matter Content of Barley Silage on Nutrient Preservation and Animal Response

Barley silage was made at three dry matters, direct cut at soft dough maturity 36%, wilted to 40%, and 50%. These silages were fed with either 13% or 10.5% dietary crude protein in a 3×2 factorial design to 30 lactating Holsteins to test milk production response. Complete rations containing silages, ground corn, soybean meal, minerals, and vitamins supplied anticipated dietary needs except for protein. Animals were grouped according to 3.5% fat-corrected milk, age, and days in lactation and fed a standard ration for 2 wk for a covariate for production.During fermentation the highest temperature (38C) was recorded in the top portion of the 50% silage. Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen was 11.2% of total nitrogen in it, compared to 7.2 and 6.4% in the other silages. Eleven-week means for daily milk and intake of dry matter were for (36–10.5) 22.3, 19.2; (36–13) 23.2, 19.8; (40–10.5) 23.9, 21.3; (40–13) 27.1, 21.4; (50–10.5) 20.0, 19.6; and (50–13) 25.3, 19.6. The interaction was significant for milk.The 36% dry-matter silage when fed alone had higher digestion coefficients for dry matter, protein, and acid detergent fiber; however, nitrogen balance was similar.