Nutritive Value Of Corn Silage Research Articles

How do relocation time and length of storage after relocation affect fermentation and nutritive value of corn silage?

How do relocation time and length of storage after relocation affect fermentation and nutritive value of corn silage?

Fermentative profile and nutritive value of corn silage with Tamani guinea grass

The use of silage has been an efficient alternative to feed supply during the shortage of roughage in dry periods, providing quality feed that is widely used in ruminant feeding. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics and nutritive value of corn silage with Tamani guinea grass (Panicum maximum BRS cv. Tamani) through chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and protein fractionation. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments consisted of five silages: corn; corn with 10% Tamani guinea grass; corn with 20% Tamani guinea grass; corn with 30% Tamani guinea grass; and corn with 40% Tamani guinea grass, totalling 20 experimental silos. The addition of tamani grass to silages was determined based on fresh matter. For ensiling, corn was harvested with 320 g kg-1 DM (dry matter) and Tamani guinea grass in a 30-day development cycle with 286 g kg-1 DM. After 50 days of silage, the silos were opened to analyse the fermentative characteristics, chemical composition and protein fractionation of the silage. The results showed that the addition of Tamani guinea grass in corn silage increased the pH and buffering capacity and reduced the dry matter and lactic acid concentration but did not compromise the fermentative characteristics of silages. The addition of 40% Tamani guinea grass in corn silage provided increased levels of crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility, protein A, B1 and C, and decreased the fractions B3 and C, which makes Tamani guinea grass an alternative to improve the quality of exclusive corn silage, resulting in better quality silage.

Effect of Homofermentative Inoculant on Fermentation Characteristics and Nutritive Values of Corn Silage

An in vitro study was planned to assess the effects of a homofermentative microbial inoculant on the fermentation parameters and nutritive value of corn silage. The inoculant was applied at concentrations of 5x104cfu/g of forage (T1), 1x105cfu/g of forage (T2) 1.5x105cfu/g of forage (T3) and a negative control group (T0) without bacterial inoculant in three replicates each. At day 3, 7, 45 and 90 of the experiment individual buckets were opened to characterize the material, quick acidification, dry matter recovery, and aerobic stability of silage respectively. The temperature of the trial samples was 32.75±1.92 throughout the trial duration. A rapid and significant reduction in pH even at third day of trial from 6.5 to 3.61 in the treatment (T2 and T3) groups and remained consistent till 90 day of experiment (with non-significant fluctuations) when compared with control group (6.5 to 5.0). The levels of lactic acid, acetic acid and propionic acids were significantly (P<0.05) higher for treatment groups (i.e. T2 and T3) than the T1 and T0 groups and almost stabilized till 90 day of the trial. A consistency in dry matter contents were observed at 3rd, 7th and 90th day of trial for T2 and T3 treatment groups. As far as the crude protein contents are concerned, a non-significant reduction was observed in treatment groups. Overall, inoculant shows nutritive stability and consistency of acids produced at 1x105cfu/g and 1.5x105cfu/g inclusion levels of inoculant.

The effect of various doses of an exogenous acid protease on the fermentation and nutritive value of corn silage

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of treating whole-plant corn at harvest with various doses of an exogenous acidic protease on fermentation and changes in nutritive value after a short period (45 d) of ensiling. Whole-plant corn (37% dry matter) was chopped and treated with 0, 20, 200, 1,000, or 2,000 mg of protease/kg of wet forage. Forages (~500 g) were packed in bag silos and ensiled at 22 to 23°C for 45 d. Data were analyzed as a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with the main effects of the dose of protease, day of ensiling, and their interaction. Treatment with protease did not alter the concentrations of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, starch, lactic acid, or acetic acid compared with untreated silage, with the exception that the concentration of starch was lower in silage treated with 20 mg of protease/kg compared with untreated silage. However, the 2 highest doses of protease resulted in silages with higher concentrations of ethanol and more yeasts compared with untreated silage. Protease treatment did not affect the ruminal in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. Concentrations of soluble protein (percentage of crude protein) increased after ensiling for all treatments but was not different between silage treated with the lowest dose of protease and untreated silage. Soluble protein increased in a dose-dependent manner above the low dose of protease in silages. Concentrations of NH3-N were higher only in silages treated with the 2 highest doses of protease compared with untreated silage. Silages treated with the 3 highest doses of protease were higher in ruminal in vitro digestibility of starch compared with untreated silage but were similar to each other. The concentrations of total AA were determined in fresh forage and silages for the untreated and 200 and 2,000 mg/kg doses of protease. Neither amount of added protease affected the total concentrations of essential, nonessential, or total AA in silage. However, of the essential AA, treatment with protease resulted in silages with lower concentrations of lysine and arginine but higher concentrations of leucine compared with untreated silage. The 200 mg/kg dose of protease substantially improved ruminal in vitro starch digestion in corn silage after a short period of ensiling without affecting concentrations or numbers of ethanol and yeasts, respectively.

The nutritive value of corn silage on family farms of continental Croatia in 2013 and 2014

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi i ocijeniti kemijski sastav uzoraka kukuruzne silaže (KS) (n=130) s 48 obiteljskih poljoprivrednih gospodarstava (OPG) kontinentalne Hrvatske, većih proizvođača mlijeka. Uzorci KS su analizirani tijekom 2013. i 2014. godine, a obzirom na porijeklo, podijeljeni su u 3 skupine: (i) istočna (I), (ii) sjeverozapadna (SZ) i (iii) središnja (S) Hrvatska. Obzirom na sadržaj dostavne suhe tvari (ST), u uzorcima KS je NIR spektroskopijom procijenjen sadržaj korigirane ST (KST), sirovih proteina (SP), škroba, neutralnih detergent vlakana (NDV), organske tvari (OT), metaboličke energije (ME), fermentirajuće metaboličke energije u ME (FME/ME), kiselost (pH vrijednost) i probavljivost OT u ST (D-vrijednost). Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na prosječan visoki sadržaj ST analiziranih uzoraka KS (389,29 g ST kg-1 svježeg uzorka), poželjan sadržaj škroba (336 g kg-1 ST) i ME (11,5 MJ kg-1 ST) te visoku D-vrijednost (73,7 %). Utvrđen je signifikantno viši udio ST (P<0,01), KST (P<0,05), ME (P<0,01), FME (P<0,05) a niži udio SP (P<0,001) KS analiziranih 2013. u usporedbi s 2014. godinom. Prosječan sadržaj ST regije SZ je 2014. godine bio veći u usporedbi s regijom S (P<0,05). Za ostale kemijske parametre između regija, godina proizvodnje i unutar regija nisu utvrđene statistički značajne razlike (P>0,05). Zaključeno je da vrijednosti kemijskih parametara analiziranih uzoraka KS ukazuju na visoku hranidbenu vrijednost te nisku varijabilnost kvalitete između godina proizvodnje, OPG-a i regija RH uključenih u istraživanje.

Chemical characteristics, aerobic stability, and microbiological counts in corn silage re-ensiled with bacterial inoculant

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of re-ensiling and bacterial inoculation on the quality of corn silage. The experiment was carried out in a 2x2 factorial design with or without inoculant (association of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici), and with re-ensiling after 36 hours of aerobic exposure or only ensiling of the whole plant of 'BRS 1055' corn. The fermentative quality, nutritional parameters, dry matter losses, aerobic stability, and microbiological counts of silages were evaluated. Re-ensiling caused an increase of pH and in acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations, as well as in the dry matter (DM), crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber crude protein contents. Conversely, there was a reduction in the nonfiber carbohydrates concentration and in in vitro dry matter digestibility for the re-ensiled material. All changes were explained by the higher-effluent production and DM loss of re-ensiled material that was subjected to two compactions. Microbiology was not altered by the treatments. The use of inoculant altered ash content, but it did not influence other parameters. In contrast, re-ensiling after 36 hours of aerobic exposure caused a reduction in the nutritive value of corn silage and accentuated the DM losses.

Nutritive value of corn silage from intensive dairy farms in Brazil

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to characterize the nutritive value of corn silage made on intensive dairy farms and demonstrate the nutritional variations between silages located at the top and at the center of a bunker silo. Thirty-two dairy farms were visited in four Brazilian states. One corn bunker silo of each farm was chosen and samples were collected from the top and center parts. The nutritive value, fermentation end-products, and microbial counts were assessed. The predicted milk [...]

EFFECT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL TREATMENT ON THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF CORN SILAGE

The current study aimed to investigate the effect of microbiological treatment on improving the nutritive value of corn silage as animal feed. Dried whole corn plants were prepared and two ground silos (0.5 ton each) wereused for ensiling whole corn silage and inoculated by bacterial inoculant (containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Entrococcus faecium) at the recommended rate of 1/2g bacterial inoculants/liter of water/ton of fresh whole corn silage. The ensiling period lasted for 50 days. The criteria of response were determined by: the quality of treated corn silage, chemical characteristics and performance of rams, nutrients digestibility and nitrogen balance. Results for treated and untreated silage, respectively, showed that the silage had pH 3.71 and 3.69, Total Volatile Fatty Acids (TVFA) were 2.48 and 1.98 mmol/100ml, and NH3-N values were 6.1% and 6.41% (on dry matter basis). The values of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE), nitrogen free extract (NFE) and ash content on dry matter basis, however, were very close in the two rations. There were no significant differences between the two rations for the dry matter (DM). The value of CF digestibility was not significantly different from that in treated corn silage, while ration contents of treated corn silage were significantly higher in OM, CP, NFE and EE digestibility than the untreated corn silage. Recorded values for total digestible nutrients (TDN) and starch value (SV) of rations of treated corn silage were significantly higher than those of untreated corn silage being 52.64 and 63.37 vs. 43.53 and 56.09%, respectively. The digestible crude protein (DCP) values were (7.43%) for ration of treated corn silage by 5.96% for the ration of untreated corn silage.

Chemical composition and nutritive value of corn silage harvested in the northeastern United States after Tropical Storm Irene

In the fall of 2011, Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Irene caused significant damage to the forage corn crop in the northeastern United States. Compromised crops were subjected to various degrees of flooding, lodging, and contamination with sediment. The objective of this study was to determine if compromised plants harvested for silage fermented normally and if the nutritive value of these silages was adversely affected. The chemical and nutrient composition of compromised silages was compared with that from silages made from unaffected plants from the same region. The concentration of NEL and in vitro digestibility of NDF were lower in plants compromised by the hurricane. In addition, the ash content of compromised silages was higher than that of unaffected silages. Specifically, concentrations of Al, Co, Fe, and Mn were higher in compromised silages. Overall, silage fermentation appeared to be normal; the final silage pH, and concentrations of fermentation acids, alcohols, and esters were similar between compromised and unaffected silages. Numbers of yeasts (but not molds) tended to be higher in compromised silage than in unaffected silage. Pathogenic microorganisms were not detected in any silage. The incidences and concentrations of mycotoxins were similar between compromised and normal silage. Several farms that fed compromised silage reported subsequent health issues with their animals.

The influence of covering methods on the nutritive value of corn silage for lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of covering methods on the nutritive value of corn silage and performance of dairy cows. Whole-plant corn was harvested at 340 g/kg of dry matter (DM) and ensiled for 135 d in horizontal silos covered with one of the following methods: oxygen barrier film (45-µm thick) + white-on-black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) over the oxygen barrier film (OB+WB); white-on-black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) (WB); black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) (B); or recycled black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) covered with a layer of 10 cm of sugarcane bagasse (RB+SB). Nutrient composition, fermentation profile, and yeast and mold counts in edible silages were similar across treatments. Silage temperature during the storage period was 24.6, 28.7, 28.4 and 33.1 °C for RB+SB, OB+WB, WB and B, respectively, and the proportion of spoiled silage ranged from 28.7 (for the RB+SB treatment) to 74.2 g/kg DM (for the B treatment). Dry matter intake was similar across treatments and averaged 21.9 kg/d. Milk production was higher for cows fed corn silage covered with RB+SB (34.4 kg/d) compared with those fed corn silage covered with B (30.4 kg/d), resulting in higher feed efficiency for RB+SB treatment. Silages covered with OB+WB and WB had intermediate values. In vivo digestibility of organic matter was higher for cows fed corn silage covered with RB+SB compared with those fed corn silage covered with WB and B, but were similar to those fed corn silage covered with OB+WB. The utilization of oxygen barrier films and the protection of polyethylene film with sugarcane bagasse are effective strategies to increase the recovery of digestible nutrients and, consequently, to enhance production efficiency of lactating dairy cows.

Effects of an exogenous protease on the fermentation and nutritive value of corn silage harvested at different dry matter contents and ensiled for various lengths of time

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of adding an experimental protease to corn plants harvested at different maturities on silage fermentation and in vitro ruminal starch digestibility (IVSD). Corn plants were harvested at maturities resulting in plants with 31 or 40% dry matter (DM). Plants were chopped, kernel processed, and treated with (1) only a 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 5.5, 5% vol/wt of fresh forage), (2) buffer with protease to obtain a final concentration of 20mg of protease/kg of wet forage, and (3) buffer with protease to obtain a final concentration of 2,000mg of protease/kg of wet forage. Treated forages (about 500g) were ensiled in nylon-polyethylene pouches and stored between 21 and 23°C for 0, 45, 90, and 150d. Data were analyzed as a 2×3×4 factorial arrangement of treatments, with the main effects of harvest DM, dose of protease, days of ensiling, and their interactions. The treatment with the highest dose of protease resulted in more robust fermentations across harvest DM with higher concentrations of lactic and acetic acids compared with untreated silage. Concentrations of soluble protein (% of crude protein) increased with time of ensiling, regardless of DM content at harvest. However, averaged over both harvest DM contents, it increased by 37% for silages treated with the high dose of protease compared with an average 11% increase for untreated silages and silage treated with the low dose of protease, between d 0 and 45. Averaged over both harvest DM contents, the concentration of soluble protein peaked in silages treated with the high dose of protease after 45d of ensiling, whereas it peaked at d 90 in untreated silages and silage treated with the low dose of protease. Similar changes occurred in the concentration of NH3-N due to length of ensiling and treatment with protease. In fresh forages, the concentration of starch for early- and late-harvested forages was similar, but IVSD was lower in the latter. After 45d of ensiling, IVSD was highest in both early- and late-harvested silages that were treated with the high level of protease. After 150d of ensiling, IVSD was similar among silages treated with protease, regardless of DM at harvest. Treating corn plants with a high dose of an experimental protease at harvest accelerated proteolysis during ensiling, resulting in corn silages with levels of IVSD after 45d of ensiling that were only obtained in untreated corn silages after 150d of ensiling.

Effect of exogenous protease enzymes on the fermentation and nutritive value of corn silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding experimental formulations of exogenous protease enzymes on the fermentation and nutritive value of whole-plant corn ensiled in laboratory silos. Chopped and processed whole-plant corn (36.8% DM) was ensiled without enzymes or treated with 1 of 2 experimental proteases (E85 or E86; AB Vista, Wiltshire, UK) at 20 or 2,000 mg/kg (wet-weight basis). Forages were packed in vacuumed and heat-sealed bags and ensiled for 45 and 150 d at 23±1°C. When compared with untreated silage, addition of proteases and length of ensiling time had no effect on silage pH or concentration of crude protein. The results were similar for the concentrations of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and starch, although protease × time interactions were observed for these components, which were biologically minor. When compared with untreated silages, only treatment with the 2,000-mg/kg application amount of E 0425 resulted in lower neutral detergent fiber after 45 d of ensiling. Proteases did not affect NDF digestibility after 150 d of ensiling when compared with untreated silage. Similarly, treatment with enzymes did not affect the concentrations of lactic and acetic acids or ethanol when compared with untreated silage. Concentrations of NH3-N and soluble protein (% of crude protein) increased with storage time compared with concentrations at harvest and were greater for the 2,000-mg/kg doses of proteases when compared with untreated silage at both 45 and 150 d. In vitro ruminal digestibility of starch after 7 h of incubation was 66.3% for freshly chopped corn plants. After 45 d of ensiling, starch digestion was greater for E 0430 applied at the 2,000-mg/kg dose (80.6%) than in all other treatments, with the exception that it was similar to the 2,000-mg/kg dose of E85. After 150 d of ensiling, the 20-mg/kg dose of E 0425 (81.9%), the 2,000-mg/kg dose of E 0425 (82.9%), and the 2,000-mg/kg dose of E 0430 (88.6%) had greater starch digestibility than untreated silage (74.0%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show that addition of exogenous proteases added to corn forage at the time of harvest can increase in vitro ruminal starch digestibility during silage fermentation. Data suggests that adding exogenous sources of protease enzymes at ensiling may be a method to obtain a high degree of ruminal starch digestibility in corn silage that would normally require longer periods of time to obtain from prolonged storage.

The effects of hybrid, maturity, and length of storage on the composition and nutritive value of corn silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hybrid, maturity at harvest [dry matter (DM) content], and length of storage on the composition and nutritive value of corn silage. The plants used in this study included a normal (NORM) and a brown midrib (BMR) hybrid, harvested at 32 or 41% DM and ensiled for various lengths of time (0 to 360d) without inoculation. Measurements included nutrient analysis, fermentation end products, in vitro digestion of NDF (NDF-D, 30h), and in vitro digestion of starch (7h). The concentration of acetic acid increased with length of storage for all treatments, specifically increasing as much as 140% betweend 45 to 360 for 32% DM BMR silage. Small changes in lactic acid and ethanol were noted but varied by DM and hybrid. When averaged across maturities and length of storage, compared with NORM, BMR silage was lower in concentrations of lignin, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, but higher in starch. On average, NDF-D of both hybrids was not affected by length of storage between 45 and 270d. The NDF-D was markedly greater for BMR than NORM after all times of storage. Increasing maturity at harvest generally did not affect the NDF-D of NORM, with the exception that it was slightly lower for the more mature plants at 270 and 360d. In contrast, the NDF-D of BMR was lower in more mature silage by approximately 5 percentage units from 45 to 360d. The concentration of starch for 32% DM NORM was lower (21%) than other treatments (31±3%; mean±SD) at harvest. This finding was probably the cause for starch digestibility to be highest in 32% DM NORM samples atd 0 (about 80%) and lower (65 to 68%) for other treatments. Concentrations of soluble N and ammonia-N increased with length of storage, indicating that proteolytic mechanisms were active beyond 2 to 3 mo of storage. The in vitro digestion of starch generally increased with length of storage, probably as a result of proteolysis. Although active fermentation occurs for only a relatively short time in the silo, many metabolic processes remain active during long-term storage. Changes in the nutritive value of corn silage during storage should be accounted for during ration formulations.

Nutritive value of corn silage in mixture with vine peas

Combining corn with legumes for silage is a feasible strategy to improve crude protein concentration in corn silage. This study was conducted to determine the fermentation characteristics and overall nutritive value of ensiled corn (Zea mays L.), vine peas (Pisum sativum L.), and mixtures of the two crops at three different ratios. The two crops were ensiled in corn/pea mixtures containing 0, 33, 50, 67, and 100% corn in vacuumed plastic bags for 60 days at room temperature. The addition of peas to corn crude protein and dry matter concentrations in the ensiled forages had a negligible influence on neutral detergent fibre concentration compared with corn silage. Corn silage had a greater (P < 0.05) lactic acid concentration than vine peas silage and the mixtures. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in in vitro dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibility among the silages made from the vine peas, corn, and mixtures. Improved fermentation characteristics were obtained in vine peas and corn mixture silage at a ratio of 33 : 67 compared with the other mixtures and vine peas silage. Results generated from this study suggest that combining vine peas with corn for silage could provide livestock with not only a high energy concentration feed, but a high concentration of crude protein as well.

Effects of combining Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 with various lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage

The objective was to compare the effectiveness of combining Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 with three lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation, aerobic stability and nutritive value of corn silage. Freshly chopped whole plant corn was untreated or treated with L. buchneri 40788 paired with Lactobacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, or Pediococcus pentosaceus. L. buchneri was added to achieve 4 × 10 5 CFU/g of fresh forage and the homolactic acid bacteria were added to achieve 1 × 10 5 CFU/g. Forages were ensiled in laboratory silos for 215 days before opening. Overall, inoculation increased the concentrations of acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol, but it reduced the concentrations of lactic acid, water soluble carbohydrates and ethanol. Effects on acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol were biggest for L. buchneri 40788 paired with P. pentosaceus > P. acidilactici > L. plantarum. Combining L. buchneri 40788 with L. plantarum or P. acidilactici increased and tended to increase in vitro aNDF digestibility in silage when compared to untreated silage, respectively. Untreated silage had a relatively large proportion of visibly spoiled silage at the surface of the silos, which resulted in poorer recovery of feedable dry matter when compared to silage treated with the combinations of L. buchneri 40788 with L. plantarum or with P. acidilactici. All inoculated silages had fewer numbers of yeasts after ensiling which improved their aerobic stability relative to untreated silage. Addition of L. buchneri 40788 to corn silage improves its aerobic stability and combining it with the P. acidilactici and L. plantarum strains used in this study results in other beneficial effects on silage quality.

Nutritive value of corn silage in mixture with climbing beans

Corn ( Zea mays L.) for silage is a major forage source for dairy cows in the northern USA. It has high-energy density, but crude protein concentration is low. This study was conducted to determine the silage fiber characteristics and fermentation profile of monoculture corn or in mixture with one of three climbing beans. The experiment was conducted in two locations in 2004 and 2005. Three climbing beans, velvet bean [ Mucuna pruriens (L.) D.C.], ‘Rongai’ lablab bean [ Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], and ‘Scarlet Emperor’ scarlet runner bean ( Phaseolus coccineus L.) were intercropped with corn at two corn densities (82.5 and 55 thousand plants/ha). All three beans were sown at the same density (82.5 thousand plants/ha). Corn in monoculture or in mixture with bean was harvested between 1/2 and 3/4 milk line. Two 1-L glass jar mini-silos per treatment per replicate plot were filled at a density of 500 g/L, eight jars per treatment, and stored for a minimum of 45 days at room temperature (∼22 °C). At the time of ensiling a 500-g fresh sub-sample was also taken for dry matter and initial characterization of the corn and corn–bean mixtures. Each silo was analyzed for fiber characteristics, pH, and fermentation products. Silage crude protein (CP) concentration on average increased 12.6% in the mixture with the addition of any of the beans, but neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) concentration also increased 8.8%. The pH was 0.06 units greater in corn–bean mixtures than monoculture corn, and lactic acid concentration was on average 6.2% greater in the corn–bean mixtures than monoculture corn. The addition of climbing bean to corn increased CP but also had an effect on fiber concentration and fermentation profile. However, the nutritive value of corn–bean silage was similar to corn silage, indicating that corn–bean silage mixtures could be used in dairy cow rations.

Effect of Microbial Inoculants on the Nutritive Value of Corn Silage for Beef Cattle

This study investigated the effect of a new microbial inoculant product on the composition and nutritive value of corn silage in big silo over one year that used beef cattle. Six Holstein beef steer (BW = 225 +/- 17) were allotted to 2 x 2 repeated Latin square design at two 21 days periods (adaptation, 14 days and sample collection, 7 days) for evaluation the effect of microbial inoculation on the composition and nutritive value of corn silage for beef cattle. Two treatments, forages were untreated or treated at ensiling with Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici silage inoculants. After 45 days from ensiling, the ration that contained 94.5 and 5, 0.2, 0.2, 0.1% of DM silage and ground barely, mineral-vitamin, dicalcium phosphate, salt, respectively, were offered for free choice consumption. Treatment with Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici inoculant increased daily dry matter intake and subsequently NDF, ether extract, crude protein and ash. Apparent digestibility of DM and nutrients were significantly increased by microbial inoculation. Microbial inoculation can improve the nutritive value of corn silage for beef cattle.

Use of absorbants and inoculants to enhance the quality of corn silage

This study examined whether inoculants and various absorbent materials could be used during ensiling to reduce effluent losses and improve nutritive value of corn silage. Two corn forages were harvested: conventional silage containing 29% dry matter (DM) and low DM silage containing 20% DM. Ninety-six mini-silos (10 cm × 1 m) were each prepared using 2.7 kg of chopped corn forage and one of the following compounds and add rates (fresh basis): no additive (control); 5, 10 or 15% ground barley; 5, 10 or 15% powdered whey; 5, 10 or 15% dried molasses; 1% bentonite; 1% zeolite; 0.5% zeolite plus 0.5% limestone; commercial inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionic bacteria sp. (Biotal™, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Rexdale, ON; 2 mg kg-1 fresh forage); commercial inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici (Feedtech™, DeLaval, Tumba, Sweden; 24 mg kg-1 fresh forage ); and 1% zeolite plus Biotal inoculant. Effluent loss from the control low DM silage was high (74 mL...

A Comparison of Processed Conventional Corn Silage to Unprocessed and Processed Brown Midrib Corn Silage on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows

We studied the effects of mechanical processing and type of hybrid on the nutritive value of corn silage for lactating cows. Treatments were brown midrib (BMR) corn silage that was unprocessed (U-BMR), BMR corn silage that was processed (P-BMR), and a conventional corn silage that was processed (P-7511). All silages were harvested at a theoretical chop length of 19mm. The chemical compositions of the silages were similar among treatments except that BMR silages were lower in lignin and higher in protein than P-7511. Brown midrib silages had greater 30-h in situ and in vitro NDF digestion than did P-7511, and processing had no effect on 30-h in situ and in vitro fiber digestion, but it increased in situ starch digestion after 3 and 12h of incubation. Both processed silages had a smaller proportion of particles >1.91cm and fewer whole corn kernels compared with unprocessed silage. Lactating cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) consisting of 42% of each silage type, 40% concentrate, 10% alfalfa silage, and 8% alfalfa hay (DM basis). Cows fed TMR containing P-BMR ate more DM and produced more milk than cows fed P-7511. At feeding, the TMR containing U-BMR had a larger proportion of particles >1.91cm when compared with the TMR of cows fed processed silages, and after 24h the difference was even greater, indicating that cows fed unprocessed corn silage sorted more. Cows fed TMR with P-7511 and P-BMR had greater total tract digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and starch compared with cows fed U-BMR. In vivo digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was greatest for cows fed P-BMR when compared with the other treatments.

Effects of Cutting Height and Maturity on the Nutritive Value of Corn Silage for Lactating Cows ,

We studied the effect of increasing the cutting height of whole-plant corn at the time of harvest from 12.7 (NC) to 45.7 (HC) cm on yield and nutritive value of silage for dairy cows. Three leafy corn silage hybrids were harvested at NC and HC at about 34% dry matter (E) and 41% DM (L) and ensiled in laboratory silos. Increasing the height of cutting lowered yields of harvested DM/ha. In addition, the concentrations of DM and starch were higher but the concentrations of lactic acid, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber were lower in HC than in NC. The concentration of acid detergent lignin was also lower in HC, but only in corn harvested at E. In vitro digestion (30h) of NDF was greater in HC (50.7%) than NC (48.3%). Calculated yield of milk per tonne of forage DM was greater for HC than for NC at E but not at L. In a lactation experiment, increasing the height of cutting of another leafy corn silage hybrid, TMF29400, in general also resulted in similar changes in nutrient composition as just described. When fed to lactating dairy cows, HC corn silage resulted in tendencies for greater NDF digestion in the total tract, higher milk production and improved feed efficiency, but there were no differences in 3.5% fat corrected milk between treatments. Results of this study suggest that increasing the cutting height of whole plant corn at harvest can improve the nutritive value of corn silage for lactating dairy cows.