Grass Silage Research Articles

Chemical Properties, Ruminal Fermentation, Gas Production and Digestibility of Silages Composed of Spineless Cactus and Tropical Forage Plants for Sheep Feeding.

The aim was to evaluate the chemical composition, carbohydrates, protein fractionation and in vitro gas production of silages composed of spineless cactus and tropical forages and their effect on sheep performance. Treatments consisted of silages: corn silage (CS), spineless cactus silage (SCS), spineless cactus + gliricidia (SCG), spineless cactus + buffel grass silage (SCBG) and spineless cactus + pornunça (SCP). Silos were opened 60 days after ensiling, and analyses were carried out. The digestibility test lasted for 36 days, with eight animals per treatment. A completely randomized design was adopted. Considering carbohydrate fractionation, CS, SCS and SCBG silages had higher total carbohydrate content (p = 0.001). The SCS silage presented a higher A + B1 fraction (p = 0.001). The SCBG and SCG silages showed a higher B2 fraction (p < 0.0001) compared to the CS and SCS silages. The SCBG and SCP silages presented a higher C fraction (p = 0.001). For protein fractionation, the SCP and SCG silages showed higher crude protein contents (p = 0.001). The CS and SCS silages showed a higher A fraction (p = 0.001). The SCBG silage presented a higher B1 + B2 fraction (p = 0.001). The SCG silage showed a higher B3 fraction (p = 0.006) compared to SCBG silage. The SCS and SCP silages showed a higher C fraction (p = 0.001). Exclusive SCS silage showed higher in vitro dry matter digestibility (p = 0.001), dry matter degradability (p = 0.001) and total gas production (p = 0.001). The use of the SCBG, SCP and SCG silages to feed sheep increased the dry matter intake (p < 0.001). Sheep fed the SCG silage showed greater dry matter and crude protein digestibility compared to the sheep fed the CS, SCS and SCP silages (p = 0.002). There was a higher water intake (p < 0.001) with the use of the SCS and SCG silages to feed the sheep. The SCP and SCG silages provided a greater intake (p < 0.001) and excretion (p < 0.001) of nitrogen by the animals. Although there were no differences between the treatments for daily gains, lambs that received the spineless cactus-based silage associated with tropical forages showed higher gains (160-190 g/day) than lambs that received CS silage (130 g/day). Thus, the use of spineless cactus associated with buffelgrass, pornunça and gliricidia to prepare mixed silages (60:40) to feed sheep has potential use to feed sheep, with positive effects on nutrient degradation and increases in dry matter intake. Under experimental conditions, we recommend the exclusive use of spineless cactus silage associated with buffel grass, pornunça and gliricidia in feeding sheep in semi-arid regions, as it provides nutrients, water and greater daily gains compared to corn silage.

The physical quality of elephant grass silage with tannin extract from coffee husk

Forage is a major feed that determines the success of livestock farming, especially ruminants. The silage is one technique to preserve forage to maintain the availability of forage all year. Microbes have an important role in the silage process, microbes can break down nutrient components of silage, including protein. Protein is one of the primary nutrients for animals, tannin compound of coffee husk can be used to maintain protein compounds in the silage. Tannin is a bioactive compound from the extract of coffee husk that is non-toxic, organic, and classified as polyphenols. This research purpose was to know the effect of adding an additive of tannin coffee husk on the physical quality of elephant grass silage. The research was analyzed using a T-Test design with 2 treatments and 5 replications (T0: elephant grass + 2% molasses; T1: elephant grass + 2% molasses + coffee husk tannin). The results indicated that no significant difference in the added tannin extract on the final and initial pH value and organoleptic characteristics of elephant grass silage. The conclusion of the research was the tannin extract of coffee husk can maintain the protein content of elephant grass silage in the ensilage process.

A low-tech, low-cost method to capture point-source ammonia emissions and their potential use as a nitrogen fertiliser.

Rising global energy prices have led to increased costs of nitrogen (N) fertilisers for farmers, but N pollution (losses) from agricultural activities can account for over 50% of the nitrogen applied. This study assesses the feasibility of a low-cost and low-tech method of NH3 emission capture from an agricultural point source (chicken manure) using a water column bubbling technique, and its application as a fertiliser to several plant types. Solutions of i) nitric acid (HNO3), ii) calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), iii) a mixture of Ca(NO3)2 and HNO3 and iv) deionised H2O were used to scrub NH3 from air pumped from a storage container containing chicken manure. We conclude that NH3 can be captured from manure using low-tech methods, and that solutions of common fertiliser compounds such as ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate can be replicated by binding captured NH3 to solutions of nitrate. Our results suggest that dissolved calcium nitrate is just as effective at scrubbing NH3 from the atmosphere as nitric acid at low concentrations, but could do so at a near neutral pH. For use on common silage grass for livestock feed, all of the captured ammonium solutions significantly increased yields, including the ammonium only solution. However, the aquatic plants (Taxiphyllum Barbieri and Salvinia auriculata) did not respond favourably to a high ratio of NH4+ in solution, and in the case of Salvinia auriculata, the plant was significantly damaged by the ammonium only solution. In conclusion, we highlight that the capture and utilisation of NH3 emissions from point sources is possible using very basic apparatus and that if used correctly, this captured nitrogen can be stored and applied to crops in a variety of forms which could reduce reliance and cost of mineral fertiliser use.

Cultivation of forage maize in boreal conditions – Assessment of trade-offs between increased productivity and environmental impact

The cultivation of whole crop forage maize (Zea mays L.) for cattle feed has a potential for increased forage yield while reducing nitrogen (N) fertilisation compared to perennial grass-based systems. However, the possible environmental trade-offs of forage maize cultivation remain unknown in the boreal region due to the short growing season which limits cultivation practices. The aim of this study was to compare the environmental impact of forage maize with more widely cultivated forage crops in Finland that include perennial silage grass mixtures and whole crop spring cereal harvested as silage. The use of plastic mulch film in forage maize cultivation was included in the assessment as well. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted including impact categories for global warming potential; marine and freshwater eutrophication; terrestrial acidification; freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecotoxicity; land use; and fossil resource depletion. Additionally, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes under long-term cultivation of the studied forage crops were simulated with the C-TOOL and Yasso20 models with methodological comparisons. The only clear differences between the studied crops were that the land use was lower (−26–48%) for forage maize, and the freshwater eutrophication (+59–67%) and terrestrial acidification (+10–57%) were higher for perennial grasses compared with other forages. A risk for decreased SOC stock under continuous forage maize cultivation was observed. Forage maize could be used to supplement perennial grass cultivation without major associated environmental risks. Future research shall be conducted on the effect of forage choices on the environmental impact of boreal dairy milk production and on decreasing the current high uncertainty associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factors and SOC stock modelling choices.

Reducing dietary protein and supplementation with starch or rumen-protected methionine and its effect on performance and nitrogen efficiency in dairy cows fed a red clover and grass silage–based diet

The increasing cost of milk production, in association with tighter manure N application regulations and challenges associated with ammonia emissions in many countries, has increased interest in feeding lower crude protein (CP) diets based on legume silages. Most studies have focused on alfalfa silage, and little information is available on low-CP diets based on red clover silage. Our objectives were to examine the effects of dietary CP content and supplementing a low-CP diet with dietary starch or rumen-protected Met (RPMet) on the performance, metabolism, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE; milk N output/N intake) in dairy cows fed a red clover and grass silage-based diet. A total of 56 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were blocked and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 diets over a 14-wk feeding period. Diets were based on red clover and grass silages at a ratio of 50:50 on a dry matter (DM) basis and were fed as a total mixed ration, with a 53:47 ratio of forage to concentrate (DM basis). The diets were formulated to supply a similar metabolizable protein (MP) content, and had a CP concentration of either 175 g/kg DM (control [CON]) or 150 g/kg DM (low-protein [LP]), or LP supplemented with either additional barley as a source of starch (LPSt; +64 g/kg DM) or RPMet (LPM; +0.3 g/100 g MP). At the end of the 14-wk feeding period, 20 cows (5 per treatment) continued to be fed the same diets for a further 6 d, and total urine output and fecal samples were collected. We observed that dietary treatment did not affect DM intake, with a mean of 21.5 kg/d; however, we also observed an interaction between diet and week with intake being highest in cows fed LPSt in wk 4 and CON in wk 9 and 14. Mean milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk, and energy-corrected milk were not altered by treatment. Similarly, we found no effect of dietary treatment on milk fat, protein, or lactose content. In contrast, milk and plasma urea concentrations were highest in cows fed CON. The concentration of blood plasma β-hydroxybutyrate was highest in cows receiving LPM and lowest in LPSt. Apparent NUE was 28.6% in cows fed CON and was higher in cows fed any of the low-protein diets (LP, LPSt, or LPM), with a mean value of 34.2%. The sum of milk fatty acids with a chain length below C16:0 was also highest in cows fed CON. We observed that dietary treatment did not affect the apparent whole-tract nutrient digestibility of organic matter, N, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, with mean values of 0.785, 0.659, 0.660, and 0.651 kg/kg respectively, but urinary N excretion was approximately 60 g/d lower in cows fed the low-CP diets compared with CON. We conclude that reducing the CP content of red clover and grass silage-based diets from 175 to 150 g/kg DM while maintaining MP supply did not affect performance, but reduced the urinary N excretion and improved NUE, and that supplementing additional starch or RPMet had little further effect.

Gene expression of free fatty acids-sensing G protein-coupled receptors in beef cattle.

Many physiological functions are regulated by free fatty acids (FFA). Recently, the discovery of FFA-specific G protein-coupled receptors (FFARs) has added to the complexity of their actions at the cellular level. The study of FFAR in cattle is still in its earliest stages focusing mainly on dairy cows. In this study, we set out to map the expression of genes encoding FFARs in 6 tissues of beef cattle. We also investigated the potential effect of dietary forage nature on FFAR gene expression. To this end, 16 purebred Charolais bulls were fed a grass silage ration or a maize silage ration (n = 8/group) with a forage/concentrate ratio close to 60:40 for 196 d. The animals were then slaughtered at 485 ± 42 d and liver, spleen, ileum, rectum, perirenal adipose tissue (PRAT), and Longissimus Thoracis muscle were collected. FFAR gene expression was determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Our results showed that of the five FFARs investigated, FFAR1, FFAR2, FFAR3, and GPR84 are expressed (Ct < 30) in all six tissues, whereas FFAR4 was only expressed (Ct < 30) in PRAT, ileum, and rectum. In addition, our results showed that the nature of the forage, i.e., grass silage or maize silage, had no effect on the relative abundance of FFAR in any of the tissues studied (P value > 0.05). Taken together, these results open new perspectives for studying the physiological role of these receptors in beef cattle, particularly in nutrient partitioning during growth.

Effect of supplementing algae to breeding and early gestation first calf heifers on growth and reproduction.

Fat supplementation has potential to improve reproductive performance and increase pregnancy rates in cattle by increasing the energy density of the diet. However, some of the positive effects of fat seem to be influenced by the type of fatty acid fed. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) are long-chain n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that have important biological effects on reproduction through their involvement in hormone and series 3 prostaglandin synthesis. Ruminant tissues are naturally almost devoid of n-3 long-chain PUFA, specifically EPA and DHA. Algae biomass provides a consistent source of DHA and EPA that could be fed to alter hormonal profiles and improve reproduction of beef heifers. Eighty-eight Angus × Simmental heifers (427 ± 1.8kg body weight [BW]) were blocked by BW and allotted to 2 treatments (44/treatment, 4 pens/treatment, 11 heifers/pen). Control heifers were fed a diet that contained (dry matter [DM] basis) 52.8% mixed grass silage, 32% corn silage, and 15.2% concentrate. DHAgold (49% fat; 21.8% DHA; DSM Inc.) was included in the algae diet at 1.65% DM, replacing equal parts of corn and DDGS. Diets were formulated to contain 12% crude protein and 0.85 Mcal/kg net energy for gain (NEg). Heifers were fed treatment diets from 54 d prior to the breeding season through the first trimester. Follicular fluid was collected on day 47 for hormonal analysis. Artificial insemination (AI) was from days 54 to 77. Heifers that did not get pregnant to AI were removed from the study on day 109 and placed with a bull. The study ended on day 180. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. During the pre-breeding period, algae heifers had lesser dry matter intake (P = 0.006) compared to control heifers. Heifers supplemented with algae had a greater average daily gain (P = 0.03) during the breeding period and BW tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for algae compared to control heifers on day 98 and was greater on day 180 (P = 0.03). Dominant follicle diameter and follicular estrogen concentration were unaffected by treatment (P ≥ 0.12). Follicular insulin-like growth factor-1 was greater in algae compared to control heifers (P = 0.03). First service conception rate did not differ between treatments (P = 0.67); however, second service and overall conception were lesser (P ≤ 0.03) in algae compared to control heifers. These data suggest supplementing DHA-rich algae improved growth but decreased conception rates of primiparous beef females.

Fermentation profile and chemical composition of Mombasa grass silage treated with chitosan and microbial inoculant

Context The ensiling process presents losses that are associated with the fermentative profile, resulting in lower nutritional value, and lower aerobic stability of silages. Aims This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chitosan and microbial inoculants addition in Mombasa grass (Megathyrsus maximus) silage (MGS) fermentation profile and losses, chemical composition, in situ degradation, and aerobic stability. Methods Forty experimental silos (PVC tubing with 28-cm inner diameter and 25-cm height) were used in a randomised block (n = 5) design to evaluate the following treatments: (1) MGS without additives (control, CON); (2) MGS treated with 5.0 × 104 colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus buchneri (NCIM 40788) per gram of fresh matter (LBB); (3) MGS treated with 1.6 × 105 CFU of L. plantarum and 1.6 × 105 CFU of Pediococcus acidilactici per gram of fresh matter (LPP); and (4) MGS treated with 6 g/kg DM of chitosan (CHI). Key results The treatments did not alter the pH, ammonia-N, butyric, and lactic acid concentrations in the silage. The use of LPP reduced the ethanol content, while CHI increased propionic and branched-chain fatty acids compared with other treatments. Fermentation losses and dry-matter recovery were not affected by treatments. Chitosan reduced the organic matter of the MGS in relation to the other treatments, without having an impact on the other variables of chemical composition. The treatments did not influence the in vitro degradation, nor the pH and temperature after aerobic exposure of the silage. Conclusions Chitosan increases ethanol compared with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria inoculation and does not affect ammonia-N of Mombasa grass silage. In addition, chitosan and microbial inoculants have limited effects on Mombasa grass silage fermentation losses, nutritional value, and aerobic stability. Implications Chitosan does not reduce fermentation losses or improve the nutritional value of grass silage.

Inoculum microbial mass is negatively related to microbial yield and positively to methane yield in vitro.

Ruminal microbes catabolise feed carbohydrates mainly into SCFA, methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2), with predictable relationships between fermentation end products and net microbial increase. We used a closed in vitro batch culture system, incubating grass and maize silages, and measured total gas production at 8 and 24 h, as well as the truly degraded substrate, the net production of SCFA, CH4, and microbial biomass at 24 h, and investigated the impact of silage type and inoculum microbial mass on fermentation direction. Net microbial yield was negatively correlated with total gas at 8 h (P < 0•001), but not at 24 h (P = 0•052), and negatively correlated with CH4 production (P < 0•001). Higher initial inoculum microbial mass was related to a lower net microbial yield (P < 0•001) but a higher CH4 production (P < 0•001). A significant difference between grass silage and maize silage was detected within the context of these relationships (P < 0•050). The metabolic hydrogen (2H) recovery was 102.8 ± 12.3 % for grass silages and 118.8 ± 13.3% for maize silages. Overall, grass silages favoured more substrate conversion to microbial biomass and less to fermentation end products than maize silage. Lower inoculum microbial mass facilitated more microbial growth and, because of the 2H sink by microbial synthesis, decreased CH4 production.

Mycotoxin production in different varieties of Dactylis glomerata L. silage in response to biological and chemical additives.

Silage has been identified as a source of different microbial toxins, that may impair farm animal health and productivity as human health can also be compromised. In this sense, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of silage additives on the concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) mycotoxins and, eventually, to evaluate the hygienic quality of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) silage based on the concentration of them compared to control silage. This study evaluated the influence of biological and chemical additives used in six different varieties of orchardgrass silage on DON and ZEN mycotoxin contents for the first time. The content of both fusariotoxins (DON and ZEN) in fresh matter and grass silage were below the threshold stipulated by the European Commission. The concentration of DON ranges from ~21.86 to 37.26 ng/kg, ~10.21 to 15 ng/kg, ~20.72 to 29.14 ng/kg; and ZEN range from ~3.42 to 7.87 ng/kg, ~3.85 to 8.62 ng/kg and ~2.15 to 5.08 ng/kg, in control, biological and chemical silages, respectively. In general, the biological additive was more efficient for preventing DON contamination, whereas the chemical additive was more efficient for preventing ZEN contamination in grass silage. In summary, the results obtained in this work demonstrate that biological and chemical additives can inhibit fungal growth and mycotoxin production on Dactylis glomerata L. silage and whose use could prevent animal and human diseases.

Perfil fermentativo, valor nutricional e estabilidade aeróbia de silagens mistas de capim-elefante e cunhã

Abstract The aim was to evaluate the effect of butterfly pea inclusion on the fermentation dynamics, nutritional quality and aerobic stability of mixed elephant grass silages. Butterfly pea levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80% on a natural matter basis) were added to elephant grass silages. A completely randomized design was adopted, with 5 treatments and 3 replications, totaling 15 experimental silos, which were opened after 30 days of fermentation. The inclusion of butterfly pea in elephant grass silages resulted in a quadratic effect for permeability, density, maximum pH, final pH, time to reach maximum temperature and aerobic stability (P&lt;0.05). Butterfly pea inclusion levels increased dry matter recovery, pH, dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, crude protein and total digestible nutrients (P&lt;0.001) and reduced gas and effluent losses, mineral matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and total carbohydrates (P&lt;0.001). Inclusions of 40, 60 and 80% of butterfly pea provided temperature increases at 10, 20, 30 and 40 hours. The inclusion of butterfly pea with levels of up to 80% reduces fermentation losses, allows for a nutritional increase and increase in aerobic stability of silages.

Enhancing enzyme digestibility of red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus and O. mossambicus) and improving water quality in fish farming using Napier grass silage

Enhancing enzyme digestibility of red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus and O. mossambicus) and improving water quality in fish farming using Napier grass silage

Providing Ration of Corn Straw Silage and Elephant Grass Silage on the Performance of Etawa Crossbreed Goats

Providing Ration of Corn Straw Silage and Elephant Grass Silage on the Performance of Etawa Crossbreed Goats

Long‐term changes in soil phosphorus in response to fertilizer application and negative phosphorus balance under grass rotation in mineral soils in Nordic conditions

AbstractConsiderable amounts of residual fertilizer phosphorus (P) have accumulated in the agricultural soils of Finland since the 1960s, and the P fertilizer application recommendations have been lowered. It is unknown how much P intensively managed silage grass can obtain from the accumulated reserves without a loss of yield. In two field experiments on sandy loam conducted in 2003–2020, four consecutive grass (70% timothy, 30% fescue) rotations were performed (4 or 5 years each, including the establishment year). The grass received mineral P fertilizers (PF; 16 kg P ha−1 year−1), cattle slurry (PS; 11 kg P ha−1 year−1) or no P (P0). The organic P (Po) and inorganic P (Pi) pools in 2003 and 2020 samples were determined following the Hedley procedure using H2O, NaHCO3, NaOH and HCl as sequential extractants. Soil test P (STP) was monitored annually using ammonium acetate extraction. The results showed that the cumulative P balance (P0: −344 to −412 kg ha−1; PF and PS: −101 to −198 kg ha−1) was highly negative, resulting in declining STP. Still, after 18 years, the grass showed no consistent yield response to P fertilizer application. The most significant Pi decline occurred in the Pi–NaHCO3 (~30%) and Pi–NaOH (~50%) pools, while the changes in Po were negligible. This study and international comparisons, Mehlich‐3, degree of P saturation and the result of Hedley in other studies, suggest that these soils, initially above the critical STP level, contain plenty of legacy P and can provide perennial grass with sufficient P for a long time.

Impact of Dietary Regime and Seasonality on Hindgut's Mycobiota Diversity in Dairy Cows.

We describe and discuss the intestinal mycobiota of dairy cows reared in France following variations in dietary regimes and two seasons. Two groups of 21 animals were followed over a summer and winter period, and another group of 28 animals was followed only during the same summer season. The summer diet was based on grazing supplemented with 3-5 kg/d of maize, grass silage and hay, while the winter diet consisted of 30% maize silage, 25% grass silage, 15% hay and 30% concentrate. A total of 69 DNA samples were extracted from the feces of these cows. Amplification and sequencing of the ITS2 region were used to assess mycobiota diversity. Analyses of alpha and beta diversity were performed and compared statistically. The mycobiota changed significantly from summer to winter conditions with a decrease in its diversity, richness and evenness parameters, while beta diversity analysis showed different mycobiota profiles. Of note, the Geotrichum operational taxonomic unit (OTU) was prevalent in the winter group, with a mean relative abundance (RA) of 65% of the total mycobiota. This Geotrichum OTU was also found in the summer group, but to a lesser extent (5%). In conclusion, a summer grazing diet allowed a higher fecal fungal diversity. These data show, for the first time, that a change in diet associated with seasonality plays a central role in shaping hindgut fungal diversity.

Dairy sheep and goats sort for particle size and protein in mixed rations

Sorting for specific parts or nutrients in feed is a natural behavior of ruminants, but for intensive dairy systems it is disadvantageous if it leads to nutritional imbalances for the individual or the herd. To prevent feed sorting in cattle, mixed rations (MR) are fed and forage components are cut as short as possible. In small ruminants, feed sorting is well documented but not well studied in relation to MR. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of dairy sheep and goats to feed sort in MR. Experiments were conducted with each of 12 pairs of female adult dairy sheep and goats. In the first experiment, three MR composed of different forages (hay, grass silage, maize silage) were tested consecutively, each in a long and short cutting length variant. In the second experiment, two short cut variants of a grass silage-hay MR were investigated that differed in nutritional value. For all experiments, animals received each variant of MR for five consecutive days. The composition of feed rests at 11:00, 15:00 and the next day were compared to the ration fed at 09:00. Both species sorted all of the offered MR for large particles, and sheep but not goats sorted for protein. In the short cut MR variants, particle size sorting was reduced in the first two hours after feed delivery (09:00–11:00), but cutting length had no relevant effect thereafter, or on protein sorting. The nutritional value of the MR had no detectable influence on feed sorting. Both species sorted for larger particles in both variants, and goats sorted against protein in the first two hours after feed delivery, whereas sheep sorted for protein thereafter. These results show that sheep and goats are able to change the composition of MR within two hours after feed delivery. A short cutting length delayed feed sorting to a limited extent. Maintaining the feed quality of a mixed ration throughout the day is important for the health and welfare of dairy sheep and goats but seems to be a major challenge for feeding management.

The Effects of Grass Silage Additive Type and Barley Grain Preservation Method on Rumen Function, Microbial Ecology, and Energy Metabolism of Dairy Cows

The effects of grass silage and barley grain preservation methods on dairy cows were evaluated using four Nordic Red dairy cows placed in respiration chambers in a 4 × 4 Latin square. Silage was conserved using a formic acid-based product (AS) or a homofermentative lactic acid bacteria inoculant (IS), while grains were dried (DB) or crimped and ensiled (EB). Fermentation profile of silages and the chemical composition of the mixed diets were very similar. The dietary treatments did not affect feed intake, milk production, and rumen fermentation except molar proportion of butyrate, and energy metabolism. Digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were higher (p &lt; 0.05) and that of crude protein was lower (p &lt; 0.05) for AS than IS. Feeding EB compared to DB decreased (p &lt; 0.05) diet organic matter and starch digestibility. The cows receiving AS tended (p = 0.06) to emit more methane per day than those receiving IS, but methane yield and intensity were not different between dietary treatments. Bacteria alpha diversity was higher (p &lt; 0.01) in barley samples than grass silages and was not affected by the diet in rumen samples. All freshly prepared rations were dominated by Lactobacillaceae, Erwiniaceae, and Pseudomonadaceae but rations based on AS than IS remained more stable over 2 days. In conclusion, grass silage and barley grain preservation methods did not affect the measured parameters in dairy cows and the preservation method can be selected based on practical on-farm factors.

Fermentation quality and nutritional value of marandu grass silage with dehydrated banana peel

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentation profile and nutritional value of Marandu grass silage (Urochloa brizantha (Hoschst.Ex. A. Rich) R. D. Webster cv. Marandu Syn. Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich) Stapf cv. Marandu} with different levels of inclusion of dehydrated banana peel. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with marandu grass with five levels of dehydrated banana peel (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% of natural matter) with eight replicates. The data collected were submitted to analysis of variance and, when the "F" test was significant, the inclusion levels of the pre-dried banana peel were analyzed utilizing orthogonal polynomials and linear and quadratic regression models. The mean values of N-NH3 were adjusted to the linear regression model (p &lt; 0.01), while the pH values had the lowest value of 4.3 with the inclusion of 15% of banana peel. The mean values of the gas loss (PG, P = 0.01) and the dry matter recovery (RMS; P = 0.01) were adjusted to the quadratic regression model, with a minimum point of 16.15% for losses and 21% as the maximum point for dry matter recovery. The rate of degradation potential degradability of the dry matter (SD; P = 0.74) did not vary with the inclusion of the banana peel. The potential degradability standardized at 2, 5 and 8% was adjusted to the regressive linear regression model (p &lt; 0.01), and for each percentage point of inclusion of the banana peel, there was a reduction of 0.23, 0.14 and 0.10%, respectively. The inclusion of 10 to 20% dehydrated banana peel in the marandu grass silage improves the fermentation profile and the nutritional value of the silage

Comparison of the effects of calcium ammonium nitrate and stabilized urea fertilizers on grass and silage yields and quality

AbstractEffects of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) and Stabilized Urea (SU) fertilizers were compared for herbage yield and composition and silage composition of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) swards over a two‐year study. The aim of this experiment was to establish the likely impacts of farmers transitioning to using SU fertilizers in order to reduce the nitrogenous emissions associated with silage production as the agriculture industry moves to address the challenges of climate change. Experimental plots of 7.5 m2 area were established in a randomized block experiment comprising 4 replicates of 18 treatments in a 3 × 6 factorial design (4 × 3 × 6 = 72 plots) for each of 3 silage harvest periods in 2018, and repeated in 2019. Herbage samples and yield measurements were collected weekly for weeks 2–7 post fertilizer application, and herbage harvested after seven weeks regrowth was ensiled and silage was analysed after 100 days. There were no significance differences overall between responses of CAN and SU fertilized plots in terms of grass dry matter (DM) yield and quality parameters (acid detergent fibre (ADF), ash, buffering capacity (BC), metabolisable Energy (ME), nitrate (NO32−), nitrogen (N), or water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) or silage quality parameters (DM, volatile corrected organic dry matter (VCODM), ammonia nitrogen as a fraction of total nitrogen (NH3‐N/ Total N), pH, crude protein (CP), lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), butyric acid (BA), ethanol, propanol, ADF, ash, WSC or dry matter digestibility (DMD). Numerous significant differences between week and between cut were identified for grass quality, silage quality and grass ensilability parameters, and in the grass DM yields recorded. However, in many instances there was no associated treatment effect identified. There were no significant interactions between CAN and SU treatments and either cut, or week for nitrate concentration or yield. Variance of nitrate concentration was highest at the third cut and indicates a reduction in the nitrogen use efficiency of the 3rd cut silage harvest, potentially demonstrating a need to reduce fertilizer application recommendations for late‐season silage harvests. Overall, the results of this study support the hypothesis that replacing the currently favoured CAN fertilizer products with SU will not impact production of grass silage in Northern Ireland, meaning SU can be confidently adopted by farmers as a mitigation strategy to reduce farm nitrogenous emissions without reducing levels of sward productivity. This study recorded average annual grass silage DM yields of 15.5 and 16.1 t DM/ha from the CAN and SU fertilizer treatments respectively, which were not significantly different. In addition, the yield gain response to the application of each fertilizer type were not significantly different at 21.51 and 23.24 kg of DM produced for every kg of N applied as SU or CAN respectively, relative to control plots receiving 0 nitrogen.

The effect of spring grass availability and silage supplementation on dairy cow performance and dry matter intake during early lactation

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of level and timing of silage supplementation during early lactation on animal performance and dry matter intake (DMI). Two farm-lets were established with a high (1253 kg DM/ha) and low (862 kg DM/ha) grass availability at turnout. In spring, cows were assigned to one of two treatments as they calved over 2 years; high grass (HG) and low grass (LG). During period 1 (week 1–6), cows on the HG treatment were offered a high daily herbage allowance (DHA) with low silage and the LG treatment were offered a low DHA with high silage. In period 2 (week 7–12), half of the cows from the HG treatment in P1 switched to the LG treatment in P2 and vice versa as 20 LG cows in P1 switched to the HG treatment in P2. Cows on the HG treatment in P2 received a high DHA with no silage and the LG treatment received a low DHA with 3 kg DM/cow silage. Grass DMI was significantly higher for the HG treatment during both periods (+1.6 and +3.4 kg DM/cow/day, respectively). The HG treatment produced +0.9 kg milk/cow/day and had a higher protein concentration (+1.1 g/kg milk) compared to cows on the LG treatment during period 2. Differences in animal performance observed in period 2 were maintained throughout the 8-week carryover period.