Elephant Grass Silage Research Articles

Effect of Whey Permeate and Lactobacillus buchneri on Biomass Conservation, Chemical Characteristics and Aerobic Stability of Elephant Grass Silage

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of whey permeate, bacterial inoculant and periods of fermentation and aerobic exposure on some characteristics of Pennisetum purpureum silage. The experimental design was completely randomized with three factors: whey permeate (0, 25, 50 and 100 g kg−1 of fresh matter—FM), bacterial inoculation with Lactobacillus buchneri (inoculated or non-inoculated), and periods of fermentation (from 1 to 35 days) or aerobic exposure (from 0 to 15 days). Cumulative losses increased sharply up to 14 days, but relative losses persisted up to 21 days in silage with 100 g kg FM−1 of permeate. The addition of permeate reduced neutral detergent fiber by between 16.2% (non-inoculated) and 17% (inoculated), and increased non-fibrous carbohydrates by between 66% (non-inoculated) and 79.3% (inoculated) during fermentation. Carbohydrate fractions followed opposing trends with air exposure, particularly up to 9 days of aerobiosis. Around 9 days of aerobiosis, the pH had the greatest increase (3.7 to 6.8), with NH3-N increasing after that time. L. buchneri increased aerobic stabilization, but higher levels of permeate increased temperature changes. Permeate must be used at 25 g kg−1 of fresh matter to increase the energy status of Elephant grass silage while providing substrate for fermentation and reducing fermentative losses. The best performance of this level of permeate should also be associated to L. buchneri for effective preservation of nutrients and to keep the aerobic stability of high-moisture Elephant grass silage, being indicated to improve silage conservation.

The Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum Addition and Fermentation Periods on Nutritive Value Dwarf Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv Mott) Silage

This research aimed to examine the effect of different Lactobacillus plantarum addition and fermentation periods on its physical quality, pH, nutritive value ( dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), extract ether (EE)). This research also to find out the best treatments of dwarf elephant grass silage by Lactobacillus plantarum addition with different fermentation periods. Completely Randomized Factorial Design was used in this experiment, with two factor ie. Lactobacillus plantarum inclusion (0, 0.3; 0.6; 0.9 %) and fermentation periods (0, 7, 14, 21 days). Each treatment was replicated three times. Addition 6 % molasses of fresh weight grass was employed in all the treatment. The result indicated that different of Lactobacillus plantarum addition, fermentation periods and their interaction were highly significant effect on pH, OM, CF and EE value (p<0.01). Interaction of two factors also highly significant influence to DM and CP content of dwarf elephant grass silage. Lactobacillus plantarum addition factor has highly significant effect on CP content and fermentation period was a significant effect on CP value of dwarf elephant grass silage. Physical quality of dwarf elephant grass with various Lactobacillus plantarum addition and fermentation periods shown a good quality of silage with fresh and acidic odor, good texture, a little bit browny color, and no fungi. Average pH of silage was around 3.90 – 4.30 after incubation 7 – 21 days. Average of nutritive value dwarf elephant grass silage were 11.55 – 13.15 % DM, 81.13-82.32 % OM, 10.48 – 12.00 % CP, 22.31 – 25.27 % CF and 1.21 – 2.98% EE. It can be concluded that Lactobacillus plantarum addition can faster ensilage fermentation and the best silage was on treatment 0.6 % Lactobacillus plantarum addition and 7 days fermentation periods.

Novel lactic acid bacteria strains enhance the conservation of elephant grass silage cv. BRS Capiaçu

Elephant grass ensilage might result in high dry matter (DM) loss and a reduction in feed quality. Knowledge of microbiota and the use of specific microbial inoculants can reduce DM losses and result in better fermentations and final products. The aim of the study was to characterise lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from elephant grass silages and subsequently select the promising strains to be used as microbial inoculants. Eighty-six LAB strains isolated from silages (7 from corn, 14 from sugarcane and 65 from elephant grass silages) were characterised and evaluated. Thirteen strains that showed the highest growth, pH reduction, production of interest metabolites and the ability to inhibit undesirable microorganisms and the strain L. hilgardii CCMA 0170 were evaluated in experimental silos. The aerobic stability, fermentative profile and microbial population of elephant grass silages of BRS Capiaçu cultivar were evaluated after 60 days of storage. No LAB was found in elephant grass before ensiling. The elephant grass silage fermentation was characterised by the succession of Lactobacillus sakei, L. plantarum group, Pediococcus pentosaceus and L. brevis. The silages inoculated with CCMA 0170 (L. hilgardii) CCMA 1394 and CCMA 1402 (L. plantarum), CCMA 1409 (L. brevis), CCMA 1363 and CCMA 1364 (L. farraginis) showed the smallest DM loss (mean of 38 g/kg of ensiled vs. 123 g/kg in control silage) and high aerobic stability (mean of 33.1 h vs. 21.2 h in control silage). Among the tested strains, the CCMA 1364 strain stands out as resulting in silages with low yeast populations, undetectable levels of butyric acid and high aerobic stability. Our results highlight the importance of the research and evaluation of new strains adapted to the fermentative process of each forage.

Pengaruh Pemberian Molases dan Gula Pasir Terhadap pH dan Produksi Silase Rumput Gajah (Pennisetum purpureun sp).

Preservation of forage with silage method has been widely practiced by farmers, one of the factors that influence the success of making silage is the addition of additives, such as molasses. However, molasses is not available in all regions. For that we need a material that can be an alternative substitute for silage, namely granulated sugar, besides having nutritional value that is almost the same as molasses, sugar also contains water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) which is easily utilized by lactic acid bacteria as an energy source during the ensilage process. This study aims to determine the effect of molasses and sugar levels on pH values and dry matter of elephant grass silage. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications, namely P1: control, P2: Molases 4%, P3: Sugar 4%, P4: Molases 6% and P5: 6% sugar. So that the total sample unit is 15 units and one unit of fresh material samples. Samples were analyzed in the laboratory to determine the pH value and dry matter of silage. The results showed that the administration of sugar additives at the level of 4% in silage had the same quality as silage which was given molasses at the level of 4%. However, at the level of 6% silage which is given molasses it has better quality than silage which is given sugar. This shows that granulated sugar can be used as an alternative to molasses in making silage.

Chemical composition and rumen degradability of byproducts available in the Amazon region

This study evaluated the chemical composition and ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (NDFap) and crude protein (CP) in byproducts of African oil palm (palm cake, kernel or fiber), macaúba (pulp cake and kernel cake), acai (acai fruit), babassu (kernel cake) and pineapple (peel, crown and bagasse silage). Nineteen rumen-fistulated sheep were kept in individual stalls, receiving a daily diet composed of elephant grass silage and corn and soybean concentrate. After preparation in nylon bags, the byproduct samples were incubated for 0, 3, 6, 12, 16, 18, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours, with three replicates of each ingredient per incubation time. The divergence between the protein nutritional value and energy nutritional value, based on discriminatory variables between groups, was estimated by cluster analysis. The effective degradability of DM, NDFap and CP for the different byproducts was, respectively, 35.9, 26.9 and 59.0% for palm cake; 48.3, 34.3 and 76.4% for palm kernel; 21.1, 6.6 and 50.3% for palm fiber; 34.3, 15.0 and 52.8% for macaúba pulp cake; 58.1; 63.0 and 51.6% for macaúba kernel cake; 49.7, 49.6 and 41.8% for babassu cake; 53.4, 40.5 and 79.8% for pineapple bagasse silage; and 21.3, 17.0 and 38.9% for acai fruit. Based on their NDFap and CP characteristics, the feeds were clustered in up to four different groups.

Dynamics of fungal community during silage fermentation of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) produced in northern Vietnam.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to gain deeper insights into the dynamic changes in spoilage fungi populations during fermentation and the influence of traditional additives on silage quality.MethodsElephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was prepared without any additive (control), and with the addition of 0.5% salt, and 0.5% salt−0.2% sugar mixture. The fungal community was then determined using a classic culturing method and high-throughput sequencing at 0, 5, 15, and 60 days after ensiling.ResultsThe results showed that the fungal community of elephant grass silage varied significantly between the natural fermentation without any additive and the two additive groups. The diversity and relative abundance of spoilage molds in the control group were much higher than those in the two treatment groups (p<0.05). Three species of yeasts (Candida sp., Pichia sp., Trichosporon sp.) and four spoilage molds (Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Muco sp. and Penicillin sp.) were the predominant fungi in elephant grass during natural fermentation from 0 to 60 days, which were found to be significantly decreased in salt and sugar additive groups (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the diversity and relative abundance of undesirable molds in the 0.5%-salt additive group were the lowest among all groups.ConclusionAdding salt and sugar, particularly 0.5% salt, is a promising effective approach to reduce the amount of undesirable fungi thus, improving the silage quality of elephant grass in northern Vietnam.

Fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of elephant grass silage with ground maize and fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria

This study aimed to evaluate the microbial populations, fermentation profile, dry matter recovery and chemical composition of elephant grass silage with ground maize (GM) and the fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB). A factorial design was used with four levels of GM (0 g/kg, 50 g/kg, 100 g/kg and 200 g/kg), untreated or treated with FJLB, in a completely randomized design with five replicates. A pre-experiment was undertaken to determine the optimum level of sucrose to be added to fermented juice for the development of epiphytic microflora. In this pre-experiment, a completely randomized design with three replications was used. The treatments were represented by the levels of sucrose (0 g/kg, 5 g/kg, 10 g/kg, 20 g/kg, 40 g/kg, 60 g/kg and 80 g/kg, fresh matter basis). The microbial populations, dry matter recovery, and effluent losses were affected by the interaction between GM and FJLB. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) contents increased linearly with the inclusion of GM. The addition of GM enhanced the fermentation process via a reduction in losses, and improvements were identified in the nutritional value of elephant grass silages. The use of fermented juice increased dry matter recovery, and its effect was more pronounced when ground maize was added. Keywords: dry matter recovery, lactic acid, microbiology, Pennisetum purpureum

Phylogenetic identification of lactic acid bacteria isolates and their effects on the fermentation quality of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) silage.

To isolate, screen and identify the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from elephant silage during the process of the fermentation and their effects on the fermentation quality of sweet sorghum silage. The isolated strains were identified based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics as well as 16S rRNA analysis. Seven LAB strains were isolated from elephant grass silage. Three strains (Pediococcus acidilactici (AZZ1), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum (AZZ4), L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis (AZZ7) and one commercial bacteria L. plantarum, ecosyl MTD/1(CB)) were chosen as additives at 6 log colony forming units per gram of fresh sweet sorghum grass in laboratory silos (680g). Silos for each treatment were opened after 5, 7, 14, 30 and 60days, respectively. All isolates were characterized as Gram-positive, catalase-negative and grow normally in 6·5% NaCl. The strains AZZ1, AZZ2 and AZZ5, were identified as Pediococcus genus while AZZ3, AZZ4, AZZ6 and AZZ7 were Lactobacillus genus. Compared to the control, all the isolates improved the silage quality of sweet sorghum silage, indicated by significantly (P<0·05) lower pH and ammonia-nitrogen contents and undesirable micro-organism counts, and higher lactic acid (LA) contents and ratios of lactic acid/acetic acid. During ensiling, AZZ4 performed better among all of inoculants, indicated by significantly (P<0·05) decreased on pH and ammonia-N contents and higher increased on LA contents. Strain AZZ4 is recommended as starter culture for sweet sorghum. This is the first time to investigate the effects of LAB isolates from elephant grass silage and use them as additives, which is to find out how LAB inoculants improve the fermentation quality of sweet sorghum silage.

Nutritive value of elephant grass silage added with cottonseed cake in diet for sheep

The objective was to evaluate the intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed diets containing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silage containing 0; 7; 14 and 21% cottonseed cake. Twenty Morada Nova sheep were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates. The diets were isoproteic, isoenergetic and isofibrous. There was no effect of cottonseed cake levels on nutrient intake and digestibility coefficient of ether extract. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, total carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates presented a linear reduction with the levels of cottonseed cake varying from, respectively, 537.97 to 421.21; 566.54 to 446.42; 595, 38 to 415.62; 544.90 to 421.84 and 697.85 to 521.03, at levels 0 and 21%. The N intake and the urinary N, in the various forms, as well as the fecal N expressed in g day-1 and g kg-0.75, were not influenced by the cottonseed cake levels in the silages. The fecal N presented a quadratic response with a minimum value of 39.09% NI when 3.20% cottonseed cake was added to elephant grass silage. Nitrogen balance showed a quadratic response with a maximum value of 6.50 g day-1; 0.79 g kg-0.75 and 35.07% NI at the levels of 3.25, 5.00 and 4.95% cottonseed cake, respectively. The inclusion of 5% cottonseed cake in elephant grass silage promotes better efficiency in the use of protein sources when aimed at using silage in the composition of a balanced diet.

Fermentative losses and chemical composition of elephant grass silage added with castor bean hull

Fermentation and chemical composition of elephant grass silage was evaluated with 0, 10, 20 and 30% castor been hull based on the natural matter. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replications. Silos were weighed out during manufacture, and reweighed before and after the opening after storage for 30 days. We determined the chemical composition, specific mass and effluent and gas losses, dry matter recovery, pH and ammonia nitrogen of the silage. The specific mass, pH, dry matter content, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, total carbohydrates and cellulose increased linearly (P<0.05) with the inclusion of castor bean hull. Quadratic effect was observed for effluent and gas losses, ammonia nitrogen and non-fibrous carbohydrates with minimal point when the castor bean hull was included at 25.63; 31.19; 28.07 and 11.7%, respectively. Dry matter recovery and neutral detergent fiber adjusted to a quadratic equation with maximum point when the castor bean hull was added at 24.20 and 20.62%, respectively. The inclusion of castor bean hull in elephant grass silage reduces losses during fermentation without compromising the chemical composition when included in the ratio of up to 25%, based on the natural matter.

Parâmetros fermentativos e composição química de silagem de capim elefante cv. Roxo com adição de vagens de faveira

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative parameters and chemical composition of elephant grass silages with the addition of faveira pods. The pods were added to the forage at levels of 8, 16 and 24% on a dry matter (DM) basis, together with the control treatment (0%), in a completely randomized design. The pH, losses through effluent and gas, dry matter recovery, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent (ADF), lignin and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) were quantified, and cellulose and hemicellulose were estimated. There was a linear increase (P<0.05) in losses through gas and a reduction in effluent production (1.17 kg/ton DM) at 24%, with pH remaining at the ideal level (3.76). Regarding the chemical composition of silage, an increase in DM and CP (6.53%) was observed at the highest levels of pod inclusion, with lower proportions of NDF (52.99%) and ADF (36.48%). However, ADIN levels increased with increasing pod levels in the silage (+ 6.81%). Faveira pods up to 24% are indicated as additives for elephant grass silage, as they improve silage quality, fermentation and chemical composition.

PSVIII-39 Silage of elephant grass harvested at different times and regrowth ages.

PSVIII-39 Silage of elephant grass harvested at different times and regrowth ages.

VALOR NUTRITIVO E CARACTERÍSTICAS FERMENTATIVAS DA SILAGEM DE CAPIM-ELEFANTE COM DIFERENTES PROPORÇÕES DE CASCA DE CAFÉ

Resumo Avaliaram-se o valor nutritivo e as características bromatológicas de silagens de capim-elefante (CE), cultivar mineiro, cortado aos 70 dias de rebrota, com adição de quatro níveis de casca de café (1-CE; 2-CE + 10%; 3-CE + 20% e 4-CE + 30%). Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Foram determinados nas silagens os teores de lignina, celulose, cafeína, DIVMS, pH, N-NH3 e as perdas de efluente e gás. Os valores de MS aumentaram enquanto o pH reduziu linearmente com o aumento da casca de café na silagem de capim elefante. A produção de efluente ocorreu somente na silagem sem casca de café nos cinco primeiros dias, com maior produção nos três primeiros. Os valores de N-NH3 decresceram linearmente com o aumento da casca de café. Houve aumento do teor de PB à medida do aumento da casca de café. Houve aumento de FDN e redução FDA e DIVMS linear com o aumento da casca de café. Esses resultados mostram que a casca de café como aditivo foi efetivo em melhorar as características da silagem de capim-elefante cortado aos 70 dias de idade.

Effect of different roughages sources on performance, milk composition, fatty acid profile, and milk cholesterol content of feedlot feed crossbred cows (Holstein × Zebu).

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different forage sources in diets for feedlot dairy cows and their implications on production, composition, fatty acid profile, and milk cholesterol content. Nine Holstein × Zebu crossbred cows were distributed in three 3 × 3 Latin squares, in three periods of 21days each, and three diets: elephant grass silage + concentrate, briquette from Brachiaria + concentrate, and sugarcane + concentrate. Elephant grass silage resulted in lower milk production and milk protein content. Cows fed elephant grass silage had lower concentrations of the saturated fatty acids C10:0, C11:0, C12:0, and C15:0 in the milk and higher of the unsaturated fatty acids C15:1, C16:1, C18:1n-9t, C18:1n-9c, C18:3n-6, CLAc9t11, and CLAt10c12 in relation to the other diets. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and the means were compared by the Tukey's test (P = 0.05). It is recommended to use the briquette from Brachiaria as a forage source for lactating cows, since it led to higher milk yield. On the other hand, the use of elephant grass silage as a forage source is recommended if the farmer is paid for milk with higher concentration of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (CLA) fatty acids, which exerts beneficial effects on human health.

English

The goal of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value and the in situ degradability of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) silages with addition of babassu meal (BaM). PVC silos with 0.25 m in diameter and 0.75 m in height were used. It was done by adopting a compression of 550 kg/m3 in a completely randomized design with five repetitions. It was found that increasing linear effect (P&lt; 0.05) on the average content of silage DM, estimating an increase of 0.74% for each unit added. The crude protein content of the silage without BaM was lower than the fresh grass. There was a linear effect on the levels of neutral detergent fiber, with an estimated reduction of 0.17% per unit added. Acid detergent fiber and lignin showed linear response to increasing levels of BaM. Disappearance of DM was significant to the extent that the material remained in the rumen, the best disappearance values were observed in the time of 72 h for all levels of inclusion and among the levels of inclusion of 20% showed the best values of the disappearance of DM at all incubation times. The bran of babassu oil improves the nutritive value, the degradation parameters and provides better conservation of ensiled mass. Key words: Additive, conservation, by-product, Pennisetum purpureum. &nbsp

&lt;b&gt;Fermentation characteristics of elephant grass silages with macaúba cake

The elephant grass presents problems during the fermentation of the ensiled material, being necessary use of additives. This study aimed to evaluate the population of yeast and filamentous fungi, enterobacterias, contents of acetic and butyric acids and ethanol production, in elephant grass silages added with different levels of macaúba cake at opening times. This was a 3 x 6 factorial completely randomized experimental design, with three inclusion levels of the macaúba cake (0, 10 and 20%) and six opening times (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 days after ensiling), with four replications. For all the studied variables, there was a difference in the interaction among levels and times, and an increasing linear behavior only for the contents of acetic acid, for the other variables, the behavior was quadratic. The elephant grass silages produced acetic acid, which in turn inhibited the production of yeast and filamentous fungi. There was a small development of enterobacterias only in the first opening times, and low production of butyric acid and ethanol, which indicated a material with good fermentative characteristics. The macaúba cake contributed to improve the anaerobic fermentation process, but it was not as expressive for the parameters evaluated in this work.

Pengaruh Penambahan Pollard dan Bekatul dalam Pembuatan Silase Rumput Odot (Pennisetum purpureum, Cv.Mott) Terhadap Kecernaan dan Produksi Gas Secara In Vitro

The purpose of this research was to evaluate pollard and rice bran in dwarf elephant grass silage ( Pennisetum purpureum, cv. Mott) processing on in vitro digestibilty and gas production. The materials were dwarf elephant grass, pollard and rice bran as additives. The research was arranged in randomized block design with 4 treatments and 3 replication based on rumen liquid collection. The treatments were: dwarf elephant grass without additive (T 0 ), dwarf elephant grass + 20% pollard (T 1 ), dwarf elephant grass + 20% rice bran (T 2 ), dwarf elephant grass + 10% pollard + 10% rice bran (T 3 ). Collected data were analyzed by analysis of variance and continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Variables measured were in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD), cumulative gas production (GP) and degradability from GP residue. The result showed that the treatments didn’t significantly effect (P>0.05) on DMD and OMD but highly significant effect (P<0.01) on cumulative GP and degradability. It could be concluded that dwarf elephant grass + 20% pollard (T 1 ) was the best treatment based on DMD (62.34%), OMD (68.18%) and supported by highly number of cumulative GP and degradability. Thus it was suggested to do further research on fiber composition and in vivo assay.

&lt;b&gt;Ruminal degradation of elephant grass silages added with faveira pods

The objective of this study was to evaluate in situ ruminal degradability of elephant grass silages with addition of 8, 16 and 24% of faveira pods in experimental silos of 100x50 mm, equipped with bunsen valves. The content of crude protein (cp) and neutral detergent fiber (ndf) were determined on a dry matter basis. To evaluate the in situ degradability of dm, cp and ndf, nylon bags containing 4 g sample were incubated in the rumen of three fistulated cattle for 6, 24 and 72h. The dm and cp content of elephant grass silages increased (p &lt; 0.05) from 8% inclusion associated with a higher concentration of constituents in faveira pods (77.25 and 9.61% dm). The ndf fraction reduced 10.91% (p &lt; 0.05) when adding 24% pods. The potential degradation (pd) of dm and cp increased with inclusion of faveira pods, with 75.97 and 95.21%, respectively, for the level of 24%. There was increased potentially degradable fraction (bp) of ndf by 7.07% with inclusion of 24% faveira pods, as well as a reduced colonization time (lag) from 3.81 to 3.44 hours. The addition of up to 24% faveira pods to elephant grass silages improves rumen microbial degradation, and it is indicated this level of addition to obtain better quality silage.

Total mixed ration silage containing elephant grass for small‐scale dairy farms

AbstractAlternatives need to be addressed for reducing losses in elephant grass (EG; Pennisetum purpureum) silages. Furthermore, smallholders lack information on the nutritional aspects of dairy farms. The aim of this study was to evaluate total mixed ration silage (TMR) combining fresh EG and concentrate ingredients, creating the following treatments: (i) EG silage (control); (ii) EG, corn and soya bean meal; (iii) EG, corn, soya bean meal and molasses; (iv) EG, citrus pulp and soya bean meal; and (v) EG, citrus pulp, soya bean meal and molasses. Five replicates of each treatment were ensiled in 15‐L plastic jars. The fermentation profile, chemical composition, microbial counts and aerobic stability were assessed. Three contrasts were tested, as follows: (i) control vs. TMR; (ii) TMR with corn vs. TMR with citrus pulp; and (iii) TMR with molasses vs. TMR without molasses. Variables were analysed through the PROC MIXED procedure of the SAS at the 5% level. The TMR had better fermentation profile, lower effluent production and longer aerobic stability compared to control. When the effect of corn was compared to citrus pulp among the TMR, silages with citrus pulp showed lower fermentation losses, non‐protein nitrogen and effluent production. The aerobic stability also improved with citrus pulp. Molasses did not affect the fermentation profile. Overall, lactic acid was the primary acid in all TMR. Nitrogen source (e.g., soya bean meal) can be used without compromising the fermentation process. TMR with citrus pulp showed better results than corn. TMR may be an alternative to optimize the use of EG on smallholdings.

Fermentative profile and nutritional value of elephant grass silage with different levels of crude glycerin

This study aimed to evaluate the best level of inclusion of crude glycerin in elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) silage on fermentative profile, chemical composition and ruminal degradation of dry matter and fiber fraction in elephant grass silages. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design being used elephant grass cv. Napier with four levels of inclusion of glycerin (1, 5, 10, 15% in natural matter) with six repetitions and the control treatment (exclusive silage elephant grass). Increasing linear effect was observed for each unit added glycerin percentage in natural matter (MN) an increase of 0.36% in the DM content of silages and increase of 0.32% in the ether extract. The fermentative quality of silage there was no difference in pH between the control silage and added with glycerine, with an average of 3.91. The degradability of the fiber, the addition of crude glycerin up to 15% increased by 7.2%; 53.8% and 36.5%, respectively, the insoluble fraction, but potentially degradable standardized "bp", degradation rate of the fraction "bp", "c" and effective degradability, respectively. Inclusion of 15% glycerin in natural matter improves the composition bromatological fermentative profile and ruminal degradation of dry matter and fiber fraction.