Ensiled Mixtures Research Articles

Assessment of nutritive value, gas and methane production, fermentation of ensiled mixtures of sorghum–cluster bean

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different mixture ratios of sorghum (S) and cluster bean (CB) on fermentation parameters, nutritional composition, and gas-methane production of mixture silages. Five different mixture ratios (100%S, 75%S+25%CB, 50%S+50CB, 25%S+75%CB and 100%CB) were used in this study. Effects of mixture ratios on entire parameters were highly significant (p ≤ 0.01). Decreasing ADF and NDF ratios and increasing crude protein, ash and oil contents and condensed tannin levels were observed with increasing cluster bean ratios of the mixtures. However, cluster beans reduced WSC and lactic acid and increased pH, butyric acid and ethanol contents. The lowest Fleig score was obtained from cluster bean silage (100%CB). The lowest gas-methane production was obtained from cluster bean silage and the greatest ME and NEL values were obtained from sorghum silage (100%S). The best OMD values were obtained from sorghum silage and 75%S+25%CB mixture silage. The present findings revealed that a 50%S+50%CB mixture yielded high nutritional composition and good fermentation parameters.

Microbial profile during fermentation and aerobic stability of ensiled mixtures of maize stover and banana pseudostem in South Ethiopia.

This study evaluated pH reduction and microbial growth during fermentation of maize stover (MS) mixed with banana pseudostem (BPS) under South Ethiopian conditions. The MS and BPS were chopped and mixed into six treatments (T): 80% BPS plus 20% DMS (T1), 70% BPS plus 30% DMS (T2), 40% BPS plus 60% FMS (fresh MS) (T3), 20% BPS plus 80% FMS (T4), 100% FMS (T5), and 95% BPS plus 5% molasses (T6). At 0, 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90days, pH and dry matter were determined. Microbiological quality was assessed using plate counts and Illumina MiSeq sequencing. On day 60 and 90, aerobic stability was investigated. The results showed a significant reduction in pH in all mixtures, except in T1 and T2. Lactic acid bacteria counts reached a maximum in all treatments within 14days. Sequencing showed marked changes in dominant bacteria, such as Buttiauxella and Acinetobacter to Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The fresh MS and BPS mixtures and fresh maize showed significant pH reduction and dominance of desirable microbial groups. The study enables year-round livestock feed supplementation to boost milk and meat production in South Ethiopia.

In situ ruminal degradability and fermentation characteristics of novel mixtures of winter cereal and Italian ryegrass plus winter cereal silages

This study was conducted using three multiparous non-lactating rumen-cannulated Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, with the objective of evaluating the in situ ruminal degradability and fermentation characteristics of novel mixtures of winter cereal and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) plus winter cereal silages (mixture A: triticale, oats, barley and wheat; mixture B: triticale, barley and wheat; mixture C: Italian ryegrass and oats; mixture D: Italian ryegrass, oats, triticale, barley and wheat). The rumen fermentation study was conducted replacing the ensiled mixtures (experimental diets) with vetch-triticale haylage in a total mixed ration (control diet). It was found that the effective protein degradability at 0.08 rumen outflow rates was 80.6% (mixture A), 66.2% (mixture B), 79.7% (mixture C) and 79.3% (mixture D). The effective neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) effective degradability at 0.08 rumen outflow rates was 18.0% and 17.7% (mixture A), 19.7% and 20.5% (mixture B), 19.1% and 17.0% (mixture C), and 15.2% and 14.6% (mixture D), respectively. Different dietary treatments did not change (P > 0.05) the rumen fermentation characteristics as there was no difference (P > 0.05) between control and experimental diets, and the inclusion of 40–55% Italian ryegrass (mixture C and D) did not cause any difference. These results suggest that the mixture of winter cereals and Italian ryegrass plus winter cereal-based silages had good potentially degradable dry matter, effective dry matter and effective protein degradability at 0.01, 0.05 and 0.08 rumen outflow rates without affecting the rumen environment maintaining neutral pH. The ensiled mixtures had a moderate level of potentially degradable NDF and ADF fractions.

Aroma Profile, Microbial and Chemical Quality of Ensiled Green Forages Mixtures of Winter Cereals and Italian Ryegrass

The objective of this study was to evaluate the aroma profile, microbial and chemical quality of winter cereals (triticale, oats, barley and wheat) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., IRG) plus winter cereal mixture silages detected with an electronic nose. Four commercial mixtures (mixture A (40% of two cultivars of winter triticale + 30% of two cultivars of winter oats + 20% of winter barley + 10% of winter wheat), mixture B (50% of two cultivars of winter triticale + 40% of winter barley + 10% of winter wheat), mixture C (55% of three types of Italian ryegrass + 45% of two cultivars of winter oat), mixture D (40% of three types of Italian ryegrass + 30% of two cultivars of winter oat + 15% of two cultivars of winter triticale + 10% of winter barley + 5% of winter wheat)) were harvested, wilted and ensiled in laboratory-scale silos (n = 80) without additives. Both the principal component analysis (PCA) score plot for aroma profile and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classification revealed that mixture D had different aroma profile than other mixture silages. The difference was caused by the presence of high ethanol and LA in mixture D. Ethyl esters such as ethyl 3-methyl pentanoate, 2-methylpropanal, ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate and ethyl-3-methylthiopropanoate were found at different retention indices in mixture D silage. The low LA and higher mold and yeast count in mixture C silage caused off odour due to the presence of 3-methylbutanoic acid, a simple alcohol with unpleasant camphor-like odor. At the end of 90 days fermentation winter cereal mixture silages (mixture A and B) had similar aroma pattern, and mixture C was also similar to winter cereal silages. However, mixture D had different aromatic pattern than other ensiled mixtures. Mixture C had higher (p < 0.05) mold and yeast (Log10 CFU (colony forming unit)/g) counts compared to mixture B. Mixture B and C had higher acetic acid (AA) content than mixture A and D. The lactic acid (LA) content was higher for mixture B than mixture C. In general, the electronic nose (EN) results revealed that the Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixtures (mixture D) had better aroma profile as compared to winter cereal mixtures (mixture A and B). However, the cereal mixtures (mixture A and B) had better aroma quality than mixture C silage. Otherwise, the EN technology is suitable in finding off odor compounds of ensiled forages.

Lactobacillus plantarum and molasses alter dynamic chemical composition, microbial community, and aerobic stability of mixed (amaranth and rice straw) silage.

The objective was to determine how molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum affect chemical composition, fermentation quality, aerobic stability, and the microbial community of an ensiled mixture of amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriaus, AF) and rice straw. Treatments were control (C, no addition), L.plantarum (L; 2 × 105 cfu g-1 fresh weight), molasses (M; 40 g kg-1 fresh matter), and their combination (LM). All treatments were ensiled for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 30 days. All additives improved fermentation quality with greater lactic acid (LA), acetic acid, and lower pH than C silage over the ensiling period. The LM silage combination optimized fermentability, manifested as greater LA contents and a more rapid pH reduction during the first 7 days of ensiling than L or M silages. After 30 days of ensiling, inoculant L.plantarum increased Lactobacillus abundance and reduced bacterial diversity and Enterobacteriaceae abundance compared with silage treated with molasses. Molasses addition reduced the relative concentration of structural carbohydrates (neutral and acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose) after 30 days of ensiling. Finally, there was spoilage after 2 days and 4 days of aerobic exposure in C and LM silages respectively, whereas L silage had not spoiled after 4 days. Although the combination of L.plantarum and molasses further optimized fermentation characteristics, L silage had better aerobic stability. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Acceptability and digestibility of ensiled mixtures of corncobs, cassava peels and brewers' grain by West African Dwarf goats

A total of twelve West African Dwarf goats of an average liveweight of 9.5 ± 0.5 kg in a completely randomized design were allocated to three dietary treatments to determine the intake, acceptability and digestibility of ensiled mixtures of corncobs (CC), cassava peels (CSP) and brewers' grain (WBG). The ensiled dietary treatments were: CC/CSP, CC/WBG and CC/CSP/WB. The goats were offered the diets in a cafeteria system for the evaluation of their preferences. The Results show that the combination of corncobs with brewers' grain recorded the highest crude protein (22.06%) and least crude fibre (18.11%) values. Although, the Coefficient of Preference (CoP) was not up to unity, the highest acceptability value (0.93) was obtained for CC/CSP/WB. Significant differences were observed in dry matter intake among the treatments with goat fed diet CC/WBG having the highest value (247.49g/hd/d). Dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were significantly (p<0.05) different among the treatments. However, no significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in crude protein digestibility values. The results of this study showed that ensiling CC with CSP or WBG or with the combination of CSP and WBG can enhance the utilization of corncobs as feed for goat.

Novel mixtures of Italian ryegrass and winter cereals: influence of ensiling on nutritional composition, fermentation characteristics, microbial counts and ruminal degradability

The study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the nutrient content, fermentation characteristics, microbial counts, and ruminal degradability of two mixtures of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and winter cereal silages. Two mixtures (mixture A: Italian ryegrass, triticale, oats, wheat and barley; and mixture B: Italian ryegrass and oats) were wilted and ensiled in laboratory‐scale silos without additives. At the end of 90 d fermentation mixture B silage had higher (p < .05) dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents than mixture A silage. The pH value of mixture B was higher (p < .05) than mixture A silage. Mixture A had higher lactate, acetate and ethanol contents than mixture B. However, mixture B had higher NH3-N (day 14) than mixture A silage. The mould and yeast count (Log10 CFU g−1) was higher (p < .05) for mixture A than mixture B at opening day 7. The in situ incubation revealed that potentially degradable fraction (b) of DM, CP and NDF was 39.41%, 43.59%, 80.23% (mixture A) and 39.16%, 32.39%, 94.35% (mixture B). The effective protein degradability (EPD) at 0.08 rumen outflow rates was 67.26% (mixture A) and 67.19% (mixture B). These results suggest that with the proper stage of harvesting, Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixtures were fermented well. This kind of mixtures can be ensiled without additives in the future. The high potentially degradable NDF and effective protein degradability implies that this mixture could be included successfully in high-yielding dairy cattle diets. Highlights Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixtures are well preserved without additives and it saves the cost of additives for dairy farmers. The ensiled mixtures have high potentially degradable NDF and effective protein degradability, which improve dry matter intake, milk production and increase the net return of farm. The mixture forage can be double-cropped with corn for silage making, which can have both environmental and economic benefits if the ensiled mixture yields are enough to cover expenses.

The in vitro protein degradability of legume and sudan grass forage types and ensiled mixtures

This study examined the in vitro crude protein (CP) degradability of wilted, dried for hay and ensiled Medicago sativa, Trifolium pratense and Sorghum sudanense, as well as of ensiled legume-sudan grass mixtures. The rumen degradable protein (RDP) was estimated using the latest Cornell net carbohydrate and protein system (CNCPS v6.5) and with the Streptomyces griseus protease assay (48 h of incubation). Sudan grass forages were the lowest in moderately degradable CP and the highest in CP fraction C, while red clover showed the least values for the soluble true protein like alfalfa forages for slowly degradable protein bound in neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Ensiling of legume-sudan grass mixtures decreases N-NH3 content by 12.2 and 5.1% in comparison with alfalfa and red clover silages, respectively. The RDP values for sudan grass (fresh, wilted, hay) were lower by 7.2 to 7.9% or 10.4 to 15.7% (CNCPS or S. griseus procedure) and up to 0.8 or 5.3 to 9.7% in comparison with alfalfa and red clover, respectively. The reduction of protein degradability in ensiled legume-sudan grass mixtures was 5.5 or 6.1% and 1.5 or 3% compared to alfalfa and red clover silages, respectively. Due to higher rumen undegradable protein content, the sudan grass and legume-sudan grass mixtures may be efficiently used to improve the protein utilization in ruminant nutrition.

The Effect of Ensiling Sugar Beets on Preservation Characteristics, Nutrient Profile, and in Situ Disappearance

The objective of this project was to determine if sugar beets could be ensiled with hay or soybean meal with or without a liquid mold inhibitor and the impact on nutrient composition, pH, and aerobic stability. A 3 x 2 factorial experiment where hay (control; H) or sugar beets mixed with either hay (SBH) or soybean meal (SB) were ensiled at a rate of 50:50 (as fed) without the mold inhibitor. The mold inhibitor (T) was included to create three additional treatments: HT, SBT, and SBHT. All treatments decreased in pH over time (P &lt; 0.01), with the lowest pH value being generated by the SB treatment. Concentrations of NDF increased between d 0 and d 90 for treatments SB and SBT (P ≤ 0.01) and increased between d 90 and d 180 for treatments H, HT, SBH, and SBHT (P ≤ 0.01). Concentrations of ADF also increased among all treatments (P ≤ 0.05). Concentrations of CP increased from d 0 to d 90 for HT and SB treatments (P ≤ 0.01), increased from d 90 to d 180 for the SBT treatment (P ≤ 0.02), increased from d 0 to d 180 for the SBH treatment (P ≤ 0.03), and decreased from d 90 to d 180 for the SB treatment (P ≤ 0.01). The data suggests that sugar beets may be ensiled with hay or soybean meal, with or without a liquid mold inhibitor, without negatively impacting nutrient quality or preservation characteristics of the ensiled mixture.

Effect of a mixed silage of king grass (Cenchrus purpureus) and forage legumes (Leucaena leucocephala or Gliricidia sepium) on sheep intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance

Ensiled king grass (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) is commonly used as feed in tropical ruminant production. However, ruminant performance can be limited by low nitrogen (N) content in tropical grass silage. A mixed feed of legume–king grass silage may be an option to improve ruminant production. We investigated the effects of feeding an ensiled mixture of king grass forage and foliage of a browse tree legume, either leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp), on dry matter (DM) intake, DM digestibility, organic matter (OM) digestibility and N balance of Pelibuey sheep. Twelve male lambs 9–11 months old were blocked by initial bodyweight (33 ± 3 kg, mean ± s.d.) into three groups of four lambs and randomly assigned to one of three feed treatments: king grass silage (KS); mixed king grass and leucaena silage (KLS); and mixed king grass and gliricidia silage (KGS). Results showed that DM and OM were similar among silages. The N content was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.001) in KLS and KGS than in KS. DM intake and DM digestibility were higher (P &amp;lt; 0.001) in KLS and KGS than in KS. OM digestibility was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.001) in KLS than in KS. Nitrogen intake, faecal N, urine volume, urinary N, digested N, N digestibility, N retention and retained N:N intake ratio from KLS and KGS treatments were higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) than from KS. A lower (P &amp;lt; 0.01) urinary N:N intake ratio was detected from KGS and KLS than from KS. This study demonstrated that, compared with silage made from king grass alone, legume–king grass silage mixtures can improve intake and nutrient digestibility in Pelibuey lambs. Further, N retention can be enhanced when legume–king grass silages are used as feed compared with king grass silage alone.

Effect of intercropping vetch (Vicia sativa L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale) on dry‐matter yield, nutritive and ensiling characteristics when harvested at two growth stages

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effects of growth stage and legume proportion on the nutritive and ensiling characteristics of triticale–pea–vetch intercrop mixtures. The three‐species mixtures were sown at three seeding ratios to produce different legume proportions (low, medium and high proportions) and harvested at two growth stages. The six resulting forages were subsequently ensiled in mini‐silos. Forage dry‐matter (DM) yield, nutritive characteristics of fresh and ensiled mixtures and fermentation characteristics of silages were determined. Forage DM yield almost tripled between early‐stage harvest and late‐stage harvest. Nutritive characteristics of fresh and ensiled mixtures were affected by both growth stage and legume proportion: crude protein concentration and pepsin–cellulase digestibility decreased whereas NDF and ADF concentrations increased as growth stage advanced. Crude protein concentration and pepsin–cellulase digestibility were higher for the high‐legume treatment at both growth stages. All mixtures ensiled well, as indicated by low pH and high lactic and acetic acids contents. However, all silages had high soluble nitrogen and ammonia concentrations. This study showed that triticale–pea–vetch silages hold good potential net energy supply value for ruminants, especially at early‐stage growth and when legume proportion increases. However, protein value has to be improved by reducing protein breakdown during ensiling.

Botanical Composition Prediction of Alfalfa–Grass Mixtures using NIRS: Developing a Robust Calibration

Botanical composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–grass fresh and ensiled mixtures is a key parameter for assessing forage and diet quality as well as for managing mixed stands. Previous attempts to validate near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) equations for estimating botanical composition have had mixed results. This study was conducted to develop a robust NIRS method to estimate botanical composition of binary alfalfa–grass mixtures. Alfalfa–grass samples were collected across New York State over four growing seasons, hand separated, and a subset were ensiled separately. Dry samples were coarsely ground, mixed in known proportions, and reground for analysis by NIRS at Dairy One Forage Laboratory, Ithaca, NY. Samples were mixed to range from 0 to 100% alfalfa for NIRS calibration, with a total of 741 individual samples from 3 yr used for calibration of three NIRS instruments and samples from a fourth year used for validation. Grass composition was predicted with good precision and accuracy showing biases of 2.49 and standard errors of prediction (SEP) of 5.06, with R2 of 0.972, using the equation developed across multiple instruments. With selection of a robust set of calibration samples over many environments, NIRS can be used to determine the botanical composition of fresh‐dried or ensiled‐dried alfalfa–grass samples, and replicate scans from multiple instruments can be combined to develop a single calibration that will perform with equal efficiency across different instruments.

0651 Percentages of alfalfa and grass in fresh and ensiled binary mixtures using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy: Developing a robust calibration

0651 Percentages of alfalfa and grass in fresh and ensiled binary mixtures using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy: Developing a robust calibration

Bromatología de ensilados de corona de piña con pulpa de cítricos, heno y urea.

&lt;p class="p1"&gt;El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar las características nutricionales de los ensilados de mezclas de corona de la piña con inclusión de pulpa de cítricos deshidratada y heno, con niveles crecientes de urea. El experimento fue realizado entre los meses de mayo a setiembre del 2013 y las coronas provenían de Guápiles, Costa Rica. Estas fueron picadas hasta obtener una partícula promedio de 3 cm, y colocadas en bolsas de empaque al vacío a las que se les agregó, urea (0;0,5;1,0;1,5% p/p en base fresca), dos fuentes altas en materia seca: heno (H) de pasto Transvala (&lt;em&gt;Digitaria decumbens&lt;/em&gt;, Stent., cv. Transvala) y pulpa de cítricos deshidratada (PCD) ambos a un nivel de inclusión (10% p/p en base fresca), y un único nivel de melaza (3% p/p) e inóculo bacterial por fermentación de melaza con suero de leche (1 l/t). Además se preparó una muestra sin aditivos como control. El heno aumentó el contenido de materia seca y todos los componentes de la fibra, pero redujo el contenido de proteína cruda (PC), carbohidratos no fibrosos y nutrimentos digestibles totales. Cuando se usó PCD, se redujo la fracción fibrosa, lo que aumentó la digestibilidad de la mezcla ensilada. El uso de urea aumentó el contenido de PC y redujo el nivel de nitrógeno ligado a la fibra por un efecto de dilución. Se estimó que los materiales ensilados podrían producir 0,43-1,89 kg leche/vaca, al consumir 5 kg material verde (MV)/animal; 0,86-3,77 kg leche/vaca, al consumir 10 kg MV/animal; 1,29-5,66 kg leche/vaca, al consumir 15 kg MV/animal.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of feeding ensiled mixture of pomegranate pulp and drier feeds on digestibility and milk performance in dairy cows.

Based on a previous ensiling study in glass silos of various pomegranate pulp (PP) mixtures, fresh pomegranate pulp (PP) was mixed with drier feeds including soy hulls and corn silage (40:35:25 on DM basis) and ensiled in 32 pressed bales (700 kg each) wrapped with stretch polyethylene film. This ensiled pomegranate pulp mixture (PPM) was included in lactating cow total mixed ration (TMR) at a level of 20% of DM (PPM-TMR). Performance and digestion experiment was conducted with two groups of 21 milking cows each, fed individually one of the two TMR: 1. Control TMR without ensiled PPM; 2. Experimental TMR which contained 20% ensiled PPM, including 8% PP as corn grain replacer. Voluntary DM intake of cows fed the control TMR was 5.04% higher than that of the PPM cows. In vivo digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, CP and fat were significantly higher in the control cows compared with the PPM group, but methane production in the rumen fluid was 25% lower in the PPM cows. A slightly higher milk yield (by 2.2%) observed in the control cows; however, milk fat content was 5.9% higher in the PPM cows. This was reflected in similar yield of energy corrected milk (ECM) and 3.97% increase in production efficiency (ECM/DM intake) of the PPM cows compared with the control ones. Welfare of the cows, as assessed by length of daily recumbence time, was in the normal range for both groups. Body weight gain was also similar in both groups. Data suggest that the level of 8% PP in the PPM-TMR used in this study was probably too high for lactating cows and should be lowered to 4% in order to achieve better performance.

Effect of feeding lactating cows with ensiled mixture of Moringa oleifera, wheat hay and molasses, on digestibility and efficiency of milk production

Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO) seedlings, sown at high density on June 2014 and grown under irrigation in Israel, were harvested at 45 d intervals to yield a total biomass of 35t dry matter (DM) per ha. Based on a preliminary study in glass-silos, fresh harvested MO from the 2nd harvest was mixed with chopped wheat hay and sugar cane molasses at a ratio, of 370:540:90 on DM basis, respectively, and ensiled in 40 pressed bales (700kg each) wrapped with stretch polyethylene film. This silage was included in the total mixed ration (TMR) of lactating cows at a level of 180g/kg DM as wheat silage and hay substitute. Performance and digestion experiment was conducted with two groups of 21 milking cows each, fed individually, either the MO TMR or the control ration. Voluntary DM intake of cows, fed the control TMR, tended to be 1.22% higher than that of the MO-fed cows (p=0.09). In vivo digestibility of DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), cellulose, hemicelluloses and crude protein were higher in the control cows compared with the MO-fed group. Notwithstanding, higher yields of milk and 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) by 1.91% and 4.26%, respectively, were observed in the MO-fed cows. Milk fat content was 2.34% higher and milk protein content 2.28% lower in the MO-fed cows than in their control counterparts. This was reflected in a 2.37% higher energy corrected milk (ECM) yield and 3.27% increase in production efficiency (kg ECM/kg DM intake) of the MO-fed cows compared with the control ones. Milk of the MO-fed cows was also characterized by 20% more anti-oxidative activity than that of the control cows. Body weight gain, however, was similar in both groups. It is therefore suggested to ensile mixture of MO with soy hulls or corn grains as higher digestible solid additive for feeding lactating dairy cows.

Preparation of Wastelage with Poultry Droppings and Oat Forage (Avena sativa) as a Feed for Cattle

In this experiment, wastelage was prepared by ensiling Oat forage (Avena sativa) with fresh caged layer excreta (CLE) at varying proportions to investigate the feeding values of wastelage for cattle and protect environment from poultry droppings. Oat forage was mixed with 0, 20, 40 and 60% CLE and 5% molasses in each treatment on dry matter (DM) basis and ensiled in air tight plastic container under room temperature. After 56 days, ensiled mixtures were opened. All the wastelages had desirable aroma, yellowish green color, soft texture and were mould free. The pH, DM, crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extra ct (EE), ash, nitrogen free extract (NFE), in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy were significantly influenced by levels of CLE. The percentages of DM, CP and Ash (37.34, 18.95 and 14.45, respectively) were highest in wastelage with 60% CLE (p&lt;0.05) followed by 40 and 20% CLE. The pH, CF and NFE were decreased linearly (p&lt;0.05) from 4.5 to 3.90, 19.91 to 17.81% and 52.34 to 44.71%, respectively as the level of CLE increased from 0 to 60%. In all treatments, the EE content was not significantly influenced by the different level of CLE. The in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy also increased significantly (p&lt;0.05) with the increase of CLE and maximum value (65.5% and 9.10 MJ/kg DM, respectively) was obtained in wastelage with 40% CLE, which was statistically identical with 60% CLE. The results suggest that ensiling Oat forage with up to 60% CLE improve the feeding value of wastelage.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v6i1.22072 J. Environ. Sci. &amp; Natural Resources, 6(1): 233-237 2013

Effect of cassava chips on quality of silage from fresh forage sorghum plus Cavalcade forage legume hay mixtures

Two experiments investigated the effects on silage quality of adding cassava chips at a range of levels to a sorghum forage plus Cavalcade legume hay mixture at ensiling at the Experimental Farm, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Cavalcade hay was 15% of chopped sorghum fresh weight and cassava chips were added at 0, 5, 10 and 15% of chopped sorghum fresh weight. The first experiment utilized sorghum and Cavalcade main crops and the second used the ratoon crop of sorghum and 2 nd cut of Cavalcade. Dry matter percentage of ensiled mixtures and silages increased (P&lt;0.05) with an increase in cassava chip levels in both experiments, but CP and NDF concentrations decreased (P&lt;0.05). Dry matter degradability increased (P&lt;0.05) with an increase in cassava chip levels up to 10% in both main and ratoon/2 nd cut silages. Digestible energy and metabolizable energy of both silages increased significantly with an increase in cassava chip levels up to 10% for main crop and 15% for ratoon/2 nd cut crops. While addition of cassava chips improved digestibility and energy content of silage, it lowered CP concentration. Use of fresh Cavalcade instead of hay should increase the CP levels and should be investigated along with animal feeding studies to test acceptance and animal performance. Keywords: DMD, CP, sorghum silage, grass-legume silage, Centrosema pascuorum , silage additives. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)262-270

Effects of feeding ensiled mixtures of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with three grain legume plants on digestibility and nitrogen balance of West African Dwarf goats

This study was designed to assess the nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance of goats fed silage made from mixtures of elephant grass and each of lima bean, pigeon pea and African yam bean plants. Sixteen West African Dwarf goats comprising of four goats per treatment were used for feeding trials which lasted for 82days in a completely randomized design. Proximate composition of silage made from grass/legume mixtures ranged from 30.8%–31.5% crude protein; 5.9%–6.5% ash; 37.8%–40.2% neutral detergent fiber; metabolizable energy ranged from 11.9 to 13.1MJ/kg DM; digestible energy was between 14.9 and 16.4MJ/kg DM while sole grass silage was only high in the fiber fractions. Crude protein digestibility of the goats ranged from 94.6% in African yam bean/grass silage to 96.4% in lima bean/grass silage. The digestibility of the fiber fractions were highest in lima bean/grass silage and was followed by that of pigeon pea/grass silage, the least percent digestibility was observed in goats fed elephant grass silage. Nitrogen absorbed (69.7%) and nitrogen retention (54.8%) were highest in goats fed lima bean/grass silage and were significantly (P<0.05) different from other treatments. The least nitrogen absorbed and retention percents were lowest in elephant grass silage. It can be concluded that silage made from grass and legume plants enhanced nutrient digestibility, nitrogen absorption and retention. It can be used to mitigate weight loss of animals during the dry season, ensiling of lima bean plant and elephant grass is the best among three legume/grass silages. Sole grass silage should not be fed solely to ruminant livestock as it would lead to poor performance if not supplemented with protein source.

Broiler litter supplementation improves storage and feed-nutritional value of sawdust-based spent mushroom substrate

A study was conducted to determine the effect of broiler poultry litter (BL) supplementation to spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on its storage and feed-nutritional value improvement. In Exp. 1, the sawdust-based SMS from a king oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus eryngii) farm was mixed with BL at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% levels on a wet basis and deepstack stored for short-term (1-wk) and long-term (3-wk). At 1-wk of short-term deepstack storage, SMS with more than 50% BL levels showed favorable conservation. At 3-wk of long-term storage, all treatments except for BL 100% had a serious fungal problem. Based on chemical parameters, BL-blending to SMS practically improved the feed-nutritional value of the mixtures. Since the deepstacking method was not effective for long term storage, in Exp. 2 SMS ensiled with or without BL was attempted to improve long-term (3-wk) storage. All the ensiled treatments (SMS 100%, SMS 75% + BL 25% and SMS 50% + BL 50%) had desirable fermentation. As in deepstacking, BL-blending to SMS improved the nutritive value of the ensiled mixtures. The populations of total bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast were highest ( P < 0.05) when 75% SMS was blended with 25% BL. In conclusion, blending 50% or more BL with SMS was effective for the short-term (1-wk) deepstack storage. For long-term (3-wk) storage of SMS, an ensiling method was effective with or without the addition of BL.