Silage Inclusion Level Research Articles

Effects of Corn Silage Inclusion Level and Type of Anabolic Implant on Animal Growth Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility, Beef Production per Hectare, and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers.

Simple SummaryCorn silage has long been a staple feed ingredient in cattle diets throughout the Midwest region of the United States. The most recent Feedlot Consulting Nutritionist Survey indicated that corn silage was the primary and secondary roughage source used in finishing diets by 37.5% of respondents. Using the entirety of the corn plant for feed allows for producers to quickly harvest feed tonnage. A common belief is that one should only include enough corn silage in a finishing ration to maintain rumen health. However, previous research conducted by our research group suggested that feeding increased levels of corn silage could increase the quantity of beef produced per hectare of cropland. Another aspect to consider when finishing cattle is implant type. Today a wide variety of implants are available, including polymer barrier coated and non-coated implants. Coated implants can provide an extended release of trenbolone acetate and estradiol for up to 200 days post-implantation. The objectives of the current study were to determine the influence of corn silage inclusion level and terminal implant type on animal growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, carcass traits, and beef production per hectare of cropland in finishing steers harvested at common rib fat thickness.Maine-Anjou × Angus cross-bred steers (n = 156 steers; initial body weight (BW) 366 ± 37.2 kg) were used in a 132 d finishing study conducted at the Ruminant Nutrition Center (RNC) in Brookings, SD. Steers were blocked by weight (n = 5 BW blocks) and randomly assigned to an implant and dietary treatment of a randomized complete block design with each pen containing seven to eight steers (n = 20 pens). Dietary treatments consisted of (1) 15% (CS15) or (2) 30% corn silage (CS30) where corn silage displaced corn grain in the diet. Steers received one of two implants (both from Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ) containing equal doses of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and estradiol benzoate (EB): (1) Synovex PLUS (non-coated implant; 200 mg TBA and 28 mg EB; PLUS) or (2) Synovex ONE Feedlot (coated implant; 200 mg TBA and 28 mg EB; ONE-F). Bunks were managed using a slick bunk approach, and all diets contained dry matter (DM) basis 33 mg/kg monensin sodium. All steers were offered ad libitum access to feed, and feeding occurred twice daily in equal portions. There was no interaction between the implant and dietary treatment for any variables measured (p ≥ 0.08). Carcass-adjusted basis final BW, average daily gain (ADG), and grain to feed (G:F) were increased (p ≤ 0.02) by 2.2%, 6.5%, and 7.2%, respectively, for CS15. Observed net energy (NE) and the ratio of observed-to-expected NE for maintenance and gain was not influenced (p ≥ 0.15) by silage inclusion treatment. Beef production per hectare was not impacted (p ≥ 0.13) by corn silage inclusion level. Fecal output was increased, and digestibility coefficients for dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein were decreased in CS30 (p ≤ 0.03). Dressing percent and hot carcass weight (HCW) were greater (p ≤ 0.02) in CS15. Implant type did not influence any traits measured (p ≥ 0.14) except for marbling. Marbling was decreased for PLUS (433 vs. 466 ± 17.5; p = 0.02) compared to ONE-F steers. Similar beef produced per hectare of crop land-based upon silage feeding level means producers can feed greater inclusions of corn silage to finishing cattle without impacting carcass quality or beef production; implanting with a coated implant had no detrimental effects to growth performance but increases marbling scores.

181 Evaluation of mixer performance in cattle finishing diets with 15 or 30 percent dry matter basis inclusion of corn silage

Abstract Batch fraction (BF), corn silage inclusion level (DIET), and mixing duration (DUR) were evaluated in an experiment using finishing diets based on corn silage and a blend of dry-rolled (DRC) and high-moisture corn (HMC). A 2.35 m3 horizontal mixer was used to manufacture all diets. The experiment was designed as a 5 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with nine replications per simple treatment mean. Factors included: 1) BF (n = 5), 2) DIET (n = 2) containing (DM basis) 15% corn silage or 30% corn silage replacing the corn blend, and 3) DUR (n = 2) of 20 or 25 mixer revolutions. Diets contained corn silage, a 1:1 ratio of DRC:HMC, a liquid supplement (5% DM inclusion), and a meal supplement (7% DM inclusion). Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) using a multinomial approach. The Penn State Particle Separator was used to separate fractions of the total mixed ration (TMR) with special interest on the portion of the TMR retained on the 19 mm sieve. No interactions between BF, DIET, and REV were detected (P ≥ 0.44). There was a 53.5% increase (P = 0.01) in retention on the 19 mm sieve from the first BF (first 20% of the TMR unloaded from the mixer) compared to the last BF (last 20% of the TMR unloaded from the mixer). The LOW diet had 71.3% decrease (P = 0.01) in retention on the 19 mm sieve (2.13 vs. 7.43 ± 0.220%) compared to the HIGH diet. Increasing DUR from 20 to 25 revolutions had no appreciable influence (P = 0.23) on particles greater than 19 mm. These data indicate that BF fed could alter dry matter intake, dietary net energy content, and influence daily gain. Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Evaluation of batch fraction, corn silage inclusion level, and mixing duration on long particle distribution of finishing diets for beef cattle.

Background: Differing fractions of a batch of feed, differing ingredient characteristics, and inadequate mix time can lead to non-uniformity within a mix of feed. Methods: The experiment was designed as a 5 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with seven replications per simple treatment mean. Factors included: 1) batch fraction (BF; n = 5); 2) corn silage inclusion level (CSLVL; n = 2) 15% or 30% inclusion (dry matter basis); and 3) mixing duration (DR; n = 2) of 20 or 25 mixer revolutions. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using a binomial approach. The Penn State Particle Separator was used to separate fractions of the total mixed ration (TMR). Results: No interactions between BF, CSLVL, and DR were detected ( P ≥ 0.31) for any dependent variables. There was an increase ( P = 0.01) in retention on the 19 mm sieve from the first BF compared to the last BF. CSLVL altered ( P = 0.01) retention on the 19 mm sieve. Increasing DR from 20 to 25 revolutions had no appreciable influence ( P = 0.23) on particles greater than 19 mm. CSLVL ( P = 0.01) and DR ( P = 0.01) altered particle retention on the 8 mm sieve. BF ( P = 0.01), CSLVL ( P = 0.01), and DR ( P = 0.02), influenced particle retention on the 4 mm sieve. CSLVL impacted ( P ≤ 0.01) particles remaining in the bottom pan and particles greater than 4 mm. BF ( P = 0.01) and CSLVL ( P = 0.01) altered particles greater than 8 mm. Conclusions: These data indicate that BF and CSLVL fed alters particle size distribution that in turn could alter dry matter intake, dietary net energy content, and influence daily gain. Mixing DR had no appreciable influence on particle size distribution of the TMR.

226 Impact of corn silage level on finishing cattle nutrient digestion, ph characteristics, and feeding behavior

Abstract When used as a roughage source in a finishing diet, corn silage can have different effects on digestion compared to hay because of the presence of additional corn grain. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of corn silage inclusion level on cattle digestion and feeding behavior. In a digestion study, 3 ruminally cannulated steers (430 kg ± 0.20 kg) were utilized in a generalized randomized block design with 8 periods. Treatments consisted of 3 levels of corn silage included at 0, 7.5 and 15% of the diet DM and a control treatment with 15% alfalfa. Results showed DMD, OMD, NDF digestibility, and ADF digestibility were greatest for cattle fed CS0 followed by CS7.5, CS15, and Alf (P < 0.01). Average ruminal pH was least for CS0, CS7.5 was intermediate, followed by Alf and CS15 with the greatest pH (P < 0.01). Total VFA production was greatest in cattle fed CS0 followed by CS7.5 and Alf with CS15 having the least. Acetate to propionate ratio was least for cattle fed CS0, intermediate for CS7.5 and CS15 and greatest for Alf. Cattle ate the same number of meals which were similar in size as a % of total DMI (P ≥ 0.60). However, cattle fed Alf and CS0 spent more time eating compared to cattle fed CS7.5 and CS15 (P = 10). The rate of intake (kg/hr) was greatest for CS15 (9.55) and decrease linearly for CS7.5 (9.44), Alf (8.12) and least for CS0 (7.68; P = 0.04). These data suggest that cattle, typically at high risk for reduced performance, are susceptible to negative effects of high grain diets, like acidosis, when fed no or low inclusion of roughage. Feeding silage at 15% was similar to feeding alfalfa at 7.5%.

Inclusion of grass/clover silage in diets to growing/finishing pigs – Influence on performance and carcass quality

Effects of grass/clover silage on growing/finishing pig performance and carcass quality were evaluated. In total, 128 pigs were fed either commercial feed + chopped silage mixed and fed together (SM), commercial feed + intact silage fed separately (SS), commercial feed + dried ground silage, mixed and pelleted (SP), or commercial feed alone as a control treatment (C). Silage inclusion level was 20% on an energy basis. From 30 to 110 kg, C and SP pigs had the highest weight gain, while carcasses of SM and SS pigs had higher lean meat content. Based on the consumption of commercial feed, pigs fed silage (SM, SS and SP treatments) had better feed conversion ratio. Although pigs in the silage treatments were fed 20% less commercial feed on an energy basis compared with control pigs, their weight gain was only 5%–15% lower. This indicates that grass/clover silage can contribute with parts of the nutrient supply to pigs.

Rainbow trout silage as immune stimulant and feed ingredient in diets for Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Peptides and free amino acids resulting from protein hydrolysis could act as stimulants of fish non-specific immunity. The study aimed to determine the potential of rainbow trout viscera silage as immune stimulant and feed ingredient for Mozambique tilapia, and to establish whether formic acid used during silage preparation contributed to any effects. Four diets were evaluated: a reference diet (R), one containing 6.5 g kg−1 formic acid (FA) and two silage diets containing 160 g kg−1 (SL, low inclusion) and 285 g kg−1 (SH, high inclusion) silage. Low silage inclusion improved phagocytic activity of leucocytes compared with the reference, while high inclusion showed no improvement. No other non-specific immunity parameters or haematology were affected by any treatments. High silage inclusion significantly decreased growth and led to higher mortality, while formic acid had no effect on growth. It is concluded that rainbow trout viscera silage can stimulate the cellular non-specific immunity of Oreochromis mossambicus, and that protein hydrolysis products (and not formic acid) is responsible for the stimulation. The silage can also serve as source of dietary protein and essential amino acids in tilapia diets. However, both fish growth performance and improvement in cellular immunity are dependent on silage inclusion level.

Evaluation of fermented silage made from fish, tomato and potato by-products as a feed ingredient for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

ish by-products were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum at 30°C using molasses as carbohydrate source. The ensilage process was completed after 30 days and at the end, a desirable and stable pH (4.5) was attained. Dried tomato by-product meal (TBM) and potato by-product meal (PBM) were used as alternative filler and blended with the liquid silage (40:30:30 w/w) and sundried. The resulting dried silage meal was included in the experimental diets to replace 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50% of dietary protein (by weight) in isonitrogenou s (30% CP) and isocaloric (2700 kcal ME/kg) pelleted diets. No significant differences were found for apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) up to 30% inclusion level, while the highest inclusion levels (40 or 50%) significantly reduced ADC for DM, CP, EE and NFE. In a 90-day growth trial, the replacing of dietary protein by fish silage protein up to 30% of dietary protein in tilapia diet had no significant effect on growth performance including final body weight (BW), body length (BL), condition factor (K), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR). The highest replacing levels (40 or 50%) significantly (P<0.001) reduced BW, BL, K, WG and SGR. Results of growth were relatively parallel to those of feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) indicating the possibility of replacing 30% of dietary protein by fermented silage in Nile tilapia diets to reduce feed costs, DM and CP contents of the whole fish for the different experimental fish groups were not significantly affected, while EE in the whole fish body was significantly decreased with increasing the inclusion levels of silage in the diets and the opposite trend was observed for ash content. From the economic view, results obtained in the present study indicated the possibility of replacing 30% of dietary protein by silage in tilapia diets without adverse effect on growth or feed utilization parameters and this replacement reduced feed costs/kg diet and feed costs/kg weight gain by 22.43 and 22.02%, respectively.

An evaluation of models predicting beef cattle performance using data from bulls on performance testing

Data from 372 bulls on performance testing were used to compare predictions of intake and gain with observed performance when the forage-to-concentrate ratio (F:C) in the ration ranged from 57:43 to 45:55. Predictions were derived from the National Research Council (NRC 1996) and the Agricultural and Food Research Council (AFRC 1993) models. Increasing the F:C resulted in a decline in dry matter intake as a percent of body weight, but did not influence observed average daily gain (ADG). The NRC (1996) model increasingly under-predicted ADG as forage inclusion in the ration increased, whereas AFRC (1993) was a better predictor of daily gain as F:C increased. Contrary to predictions, inclusion levels of silage can be increased in totally mixed rations without compromising animal performance. Key words: Forage-to-concentrate ratio, bulls, performance, model

Response in nutritionally related blood metabolites, carcass traits and primal pork cuts of slow growing Windsnyer pigs fed on varying levels of potato hash silage

The response of Windsnyer pigs to diets containing varying levels of potato hash silage in nutritionally related blood biochemistry, carcass traits and primal pork was estimated. Thirty-six growing clinically healthy male Windsnyer pigs with an initial weight of 36 kg ± 4.89 (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) were randomly assigned to six experimental diets containing 0, 80, 160, 240, 320, and 400 potato hash silage g/kg dry matter (DM). Experimental diets were derived from mixing a summit diet containing no potato hash silage and a dilution diet containing 400 g potato hash silage/kg in various proportions. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to diets and water. There was no relationship between inclusion levels of potato hash silage and albumin: globulin ratio, total protein, and uric acid. As inclusion levels of potato hash silage varied, there was a positive linear relationship between silage and albumin concentration. Globulin concentration had a positive quadratic relationship with the inclusion of potato hash silage. Inclusion levels of potato hash silage resulted in a positive quadratic relationship in alkaline phosphatase. There was a negative linear response in warm carcass weight and cold carcass weight to inclusion levels of silage. A negative linear response was observed in dressing percentage. Different inclusion levels of potato hash silage caused a positive quadratic relationship in cooler shrink. There were negative linear relationships between inclusion of potato hash silage with shoulder fat, carcass length and backfat thickness. There was a negative linear relationship between eye muscle area and inclusion level of ensiled potato hash. There was a positive quadratic relationship between hindquarter length (HQL) and inclusion levels of silage. The observed linear relationship between hindquarter circumference (HQC) and inclusion levels of potato hash silage was negative. There is a need to predict the optimum inclusion level of potato hash silage without compromising the healthiness and carcass yield of pigs.Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase, backfat thickness, cold carcass weight, cooler shrink, dorsal fat thickness, eye muscle area, hindquarter circumference, total protein