Round Bale Silage Research Articles

Effect of chop length of grass silage harvested at two maturity stages, and of concentrate protein level, on feed intake and milk production in dairy cows

AbstractThis study in dairy cow feeding explored the effects of growth stage and chop length for grass‐clover silage, and of concentrate protein level, including the interactions of these three factors. The experiment was conducted with 48 Norwegian Red cows according to a cyclic change‐over design with four 4‐week experimental periods and eight dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Round bale silage from a mixed sward of timothy, meadow fescue, and red clover was harvested at two growth stages (H1, H2) and offered to dairy cows either unchopped with median particle length of 152 mm or chopped to 19 mm median particle length before feeding. A low protein (LP) concentrate containing 7% lignosulphonate treated soybean meal (SBM) and a high protein (HP) concentrate containing 12% solvent extracted SBM were compared. Silage was offered ad libitum and supplemented with 8 kg concentrate per day. Silage dry matter intake was 2.0 kg higher for H1 than H2 silage, which supported a higher yield of milk, energy‐corrected milk and the milk constituents, fat, protein, and lactose. All these measures of milk production, as well as feed energy efficiency and N use efficiency, increased when silage was fed chopped rather than unchopped. Lignosulphonate treated SBM spared N in the diet without milk yield reductions. For efficient milk production with high energy and N utilisation, we recommend chopping to 20 mm for timothy, meadow fescue, and clover silages harvested in late stem elongation or in reproductive growth stages.

234 Can We Use Moderate Quality Round Bale Bermudagrass Silage to Stretch Wheat pasture?

Abstract Grazing wheat pasture with growing calves is an economically important enterprise in the Southern Great Plains and Southeastern U.S. Wheat forage is available when there are few other high quality forage options, and a offers a favorable seasonality of net returns for the stocker cattle enterprise. Our objective was to determine if a moderate quality wrapped round bale silage can be used to profitably increase stocking rates during the fall and winter. This research was conducted at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Livestock & Forestry Research Station near Batesville, AR (35°50′N, 91°48′W; elevation 150 m) over 3-yr from fall 2018 to spring 2021. Treatments were: HCON, where steers were stocked at 2.47 steers/ha in the fall without bermudagrass baleage or were stocked at 1× (H1.0), 1.5× (H1.5), or 2× (H2.0) the HCON stocking rate with ad libitum access to bermudagrass round bale wrapped silage during the fall. In the spring all pastures were stocked at 5.56 steers/ha without baleage (HCON) or with access to baleage (H1.0, H1.5, H2.0). Steer performance, forage mass and nutritive quality were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc. Cary, NC). The bermudagrass baleage was analyzed to be 48.8% DM in yr 1, 40.2% DM in yr 2, and 46.8% DM in yr 3; and ranged from 13 to 14% CP and 55 to 56% TDN across the 3-yr (Table 1). Baleage intake based on estimated disappearance from feeders increased (P < 0.01) with increasing stocking rate in the fall and tended (P = 0.07) to increase during the spring with increased fall stocking rate. Steer ADG showed a positive associative effect of baleage feeding in the fall with greater (P = 0.01) ADG for H1.0 than HCON, while HCON and H1.5 did not differ (P = 0.71), but were greater (P ≤ 0.03) than H2.0. Gain per hectare in the fall tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for H1.0 than HCON, H1.5 and H2.0 were greater (P < 0.01) than H1.0 but did not differ from each other. Performance and BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.73) during the spring, but steer grazing days/ha and BW gain/ha were greater when baleage was offered in the spring compared with HCON. Supplemental efficiency of feeding silage did not differ (P ≥ 0.47) among treatments, on the average gains were increased by 0.22 kg/kg baleage DM fed in the fall and 0.11 kg/kg baleage DM in the spring. Offering moderate quality warm-season grass baleage to steers on wheat pasture enabled increased stocking rates in the fall while maintaining acceptable levels of performance and extending the length of the grazing season in the spring.

Effect of Moisture Content and Storage Periods on Nutrient Composition and Organic Acids Change in Triticale Round Bale Silage

Effect of Moisture Content and Storage Periods on Nutrient Composition and Organic Acids Change in Triticale Round Bale Silage

Disease surveillance in England and Wales, April 2021

Disease surveillance in England and Wales, April 2021

Nutritive value, silage fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of round-baled, alfalfa–grass forages ensiled at 2 moisture concentrations with or without a propionic-acid-based preservative

Propionic-acid-based products are used commonly for storage of dry hay but are not often considered when ensiling baled forages. The objectives for this study were to test several application rates of a propionic-acid-based preservative on the storage efficiency, nutrient preservation, fermentation characteristics, and aerobic stability of alfalfa–grass silages. This study evaluated 4 preservative treatments applied to alfalfa–grass forages that had received 5.1 mm of unexpected rainfall during wilting. A propionic-acid-based preservative was applied at rates of 0.01 (control), 0.13, 0.44, or 0.80% of wet bale weight to 24 (1.2 × 1.2 m) round bales made at either 43.6 or 51.6% moisture. Aerobic stability was then evaluated by removing plastic film from all bales and monitoring surface bale temperatures for 11 d during spring. After exposure, surface and core samples were evaluated further for residual fermentation products and pH. Before fermentation, forage pH declined linearly ( P < 0.001) from 6.14 to 5.77 with increasing product-application rates. After 242 d of storage, there were linear increases in concentrations of total alcohols ( P = 0.002), and particularly 2,3-butanediol ( P < 0.001), with increasing preservative application rates. After aerobic exposure, maximum surface temperatures (0.15-m depth) declined linearly ( P = 0.001) from 55.6 to 17.9°C with preservative application rate. A similar linear ( P = 0.002) effect was observed for exposed surface pH (range = 6.52 to 5.41). Propionic-acid-based preservatives improved aerobic stability of round-bale silages, but the additional cost must be a critical component of any overall management strategy.

Effects of Baler Chamber Pressure and Moisture Concentration of Italian Ryegrass on Quality of Round Bale Silage

Effects of Baler Chamber Pressure and Moisture Concentration of Italian Ryegrass on Quality of Round Bale Silage

The microbiome and metabolome of Napier grass silages prepared with screened lactic acid bacteria during ensiling and aerobic exposure

A full understanding of changes of the microbiome and metabolome during Napier grass silage in relation to aerobic exposure can improve the nutritional value and extend the aerobic stability of this important feed in tropical and subtropical regions. The round bale silage of Napier grass was prepared with deionized water (control) and screened strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus LR753 (LR753) and L. buchneri 40788 (LB). Silages were stored at ambient temperature (30−40 °C) for 60 days, followed by 2 and 4 days of aerobic exposure. Strains LB and LR753 significantly improved aerobic stability (>84 h vs. 18 h of control) of baled Napier grass silage by inhibiting the growth of Saccharomycetales as for the higher production of acetic acid (P < 0.05). Weissella and Issatchenkia spp. were the dominant bacteria and fungi in 60-day silage, respectively. LC–MS/MS detected a total of 426 metabolites throughout ensiling and aerobic exposure. With the decrease of Weissella spp. and the increase of Acetobacter spp., the metabolites associated with both were mainly odor-related (3-methylbutanoic acid, isoquinoline, and cuminaldehyde) and amines (tryptamine and tyramine) in control silage, while more antimicrobial activity metabolites were found in strains LB and LR753-treated silage (methylbutanoic acid, 1,2-propanediol, and tiglic acid). Screened local strain LR753 showed a promising potential for improving silage fermentation and aerobic stability of Napier grass. The present study indicates that adequately describing the microbiome and metabolome of silages during fermentation and aerobic exposure can improve ensiling practices and the screening of silage inoculants that act synergistically with the natural microbiome of the forage in hot and humid areas.

Effect of a low temperature tolerant lactic acid bacteria inoculant on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of oat round bale silage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a low temperature tolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant on the fermentation characteristics and bacterial community of oat silage. Oats were harvested at the flowering stage and wilted to dry matter content of approximately 270 g/kg fresh weight. Wilted and chopped oats were used to make mini round bale silages. Silages were prepared without (control) or with a low temperature tolerant LAB inoculant including Lactobacillus plantarum BP18, Pediococcus pentosaceus HS1 and L. buchneri LP22 and then separately stored at different geographic locations (L, Chengdu Plain; H, Qinghai Tibetan Plateau) for 120 days. High contents of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were found in LAB inoculated silage. Inoculation with LAB increased (P < 0.05) lactic acid and acetic acid contents, and decreased (P < 0.05) the final pH of silage stored at the H location. However, LAB inoculation reduced (P < 0.05) the bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs), richness index (Chao 1) and diversity index (Shannon) of silage stored at the L location. The dominant genera from silage samples were Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Clostridium, with a total relative abundance of 71∼93 %. LAB inoculation increased the abundance of desirable Lactobacillus and inhibited the growth of undesirable Clostridium in silage. Therefore, inoculation of low temperature tolerant LAB at ensiling could stimulate favorable fermentation and reconstruct the bacterial community for better preservation of high moist oat silage nutrients.

The effects of moisture at baling and wrapping delay on storage characteristics of annual ryegrass round bale silage

AbstractMoisture content and time between baling and wrapping round bale silage impacts silage quality and aerobic stability. The objective of this study was to observe the effects of wrapping delays of 0, 1, 2, or 3 d on the nutritional quality and storage characteristics of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage baled at two levels of moisture (30 ± 9.5% [DRY] or 74 ± 0.8% [WET]). The DRY (n = 18) and WET (n = 20) bales were assigned as replicates and wrapped by pasture quadrant, then stored for 85 d. Crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) of the silage were greater (P &lt; .01) for DRY than WET. Wrapping delays did not change bale weight or CP, but dry matter concentrations decreased linearly (P = .03) and ADF, NDF, and ADICP increased (P ≤ .02) linearly with wrapping delay. The maximum temperature of DRY was greater (P = .01) than WET and increased linearly with wrapping delays (P &lt; .01). Changes in the fermentation profile of WET bales with delays in wrapping indicated altered fermentation and increased pH, which will result in reduced shelf life as well as clostridial activity with greater butyric acid content and possible reduced intake by livestock. Based on these results, ryegrass fermentation patterns and nutritional quality show a decline with each day delayed before wrapping with WET silage.

264 Using bermudagrass baleage to increase stocking rates of fall wheat pasture

Abstract The objectives of the current research were to determine the effect of offering ad libitum bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) round bale silage on performance and stocking rate of growing steers grazing wheat pasture in northern Arkansas. Eighteen, 1.6-hectare wheat fields were no-till planted to soft-red winter wheat in the first week of September (101 kg wheat seed/ha; cv. Jamestown) and were stocked to growing steers on October 23, 2018 at 2.5 steers/ha without bermudagrass baleage (CONTROL, n = 6) or with ad libitum bermudagrass baleage stocked at 2.5, 3.75, or 5.0 steers/ha (BALE2.5, BALE3.75, and BALE5.0, respectively; n = 4 pastures/treatment). The bermudagrass baleage was harvested in the late summer of 2018 and contained 40%DM, 14.3% CP, 70% NDF, 39% ADF, and 55% calculated TDN. Forage mass was 1,268 kg DM/ha (P ≥ 0.39) at the start of grazing and forage allowance (P &amp;lt; 0.01) was 2.25, 2.20, 1.62, and 1.27 kg forage DM/kg steer BW, respectively, at the start of grazing. Average daily gains of CONTROL (1.40 kg/d) did not differ (P = 0.36) from BALE2.5 (1.34 kg/d), but as stocking rate increased ADG decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) to 1.14 kg/d and 0.96 kg/d, for BALE3.75 and BALE5.0, respectively. As observed with ADG, gain per hectare and steer grazing-days per hectare did not differ (P ≥ 0.53) between CONTROL (340 kg/ha and 272 d/ha, respectively) and BALE2.5 (365 kg/ha and 272 d/ha, respectively), but each increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) with increasing stocking rate, to 408 and 543 grazing d/ha for BALE3.75 and BALE5.0, respectively, and 467 and 524 kg BW gain/ha, respectively. The current research indicates that, even though individual animal performance decreases, stocking rates of wheat pasture for fall grazing stocker calves can be increased two-fold with up to 54% increase in BW gain/ha.

On the uniform distribution and optimal consumption of stretch film used for wrapping cylindrical baled silage

AbstractThe main objective of this article was to mathematically formulate the problem of the uniform coverage of round baled silage, solve this problem and propose a design approach. A mathematical model which describes the distribution and consumption of stretch film used for bale wrapping is derived. The model aims at capturing more features of a realistic description of the wrapping process than existing mathematical models, so as to provide a deeper insight into the issues concerning bale coverage and film consumption. Bale and film dimensions, mechanical properties of the stretch film described by the Poisson ratio and unit deformation, the overlap between adjacent film strips and the pre‐assumed number of basic film layers are taken into account. It is proved that the complete set of the overlap ratios guaranteeing uniform film distribution is composed of irreducible fractions in which dividend is the divisor minus one. For the bale wrapping technique, only the first four equal to are significant. However, the essence of this study is the uniform film distribution, but optimization and robustness issues are also discussed. Simple mathematical rules are derived to calculate the optimal overlap ratios which minimize film usage. The parallelism between the uniform film distribution and minimal film usage is demonstrated, but it is also proved that these requirements are not equivalent. Robustness on the wrapping process disturbances is examined, and two algorithms for robustly optimal overlap ratio design are developed. The main developments are illustrated by examples, figures and supporting discussions.

Effect of maturity stage at harvest and kernel processing of whole crop wheat silage on digestibility by dairy cows

The study aimed to explore whether digestibility by cows of whole crop wheat silage harvested at two different dough stages of maturity was impaired due to its content of whole kernels. Wheat was harvested at early (ED) and soft-to-hard (SHD) dough and preserved as roundbale silage. After five months of storage, half of silage from each maturity stage was processed using a roller mill. Early dough silages contained 334 g dry matter (DM)/kg and 110 g starch/kg DM whereas SHD silages contained 423 g DM/kg and 254 g starch/kg DM.Total tract apparent digestibility and milk production by dairy cows was studied in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of silages harvested at the two maturity stages, either unprocessed or processed before feeding. Eight dairy cows were assigned to two Latin squares with four 3-week periods. Diets consisted of wheat silages offered ad libitum as the sole forage supplemented with 7.5 kg concentrates.Cows consumed on average 14.1 kg DM of wheat silage, 0.6 kg DM more of SHD than of ED silage (P < 0.001), and 0.4 kg DM more of processed than of unprocessed silage (P < 0.001). Apparent organic matter digestibility of wheat silage, calculated by difference, was 0.62 and 0.60 (P = 0.02) for ED and SHD respectively, and the respective starch digestibility was 0.98 and 0.99 (P = 0.02). There was no main effect (P > 0.20) of processing on total tract digestibility for any nutrient, but a weak interaction (P = 0.08) suggesting that starch digestibility was slightly higher in unprocessed than in processed wheat silage from SHD with an opposite tendency for ED. Daily yields of protein and lactose were higher, and milk yield tended to be higher (P = 0.07), with processed than with unprocessed silage from ED, as expected due to higher forage intake, whereas no effect of processing was found in SHD silage, in spite of higher intake. Soft-to-hard dough diets contained a high load of starch plus sugar compared with fibre. This might have influenced the rate and extent of ruminal neutral detergent fibre digestion. It is concluded that starch in wheat kernels harvested at the soft-to-hard dough stage or earlier, at a DM concentration in wheat silage up to 430 g/kg, is completely digested in dairy cows without processing.

Fluctuant storage temperature increased the heterogeneous distributions of pH and fermentation products in large round bale silage

AbstractIn practical of silage production, variations in the fermentation parameters of silage might be attributable to changes in weather data, especially for ambient temperature. The objective of this study was to investigate how the changed temperature of outside weather condition affects distributions of pH and fermentation products in large round bale silage. The bale silages (1.22 m × 1.25 m ø; density, about 168.9 kg dry matter [DM]/m3) were produced by BR6090 Combi from New Holland Agriculture, wrapped with six layers of stretch film, stored at ambient temperature (2–20°C) and constant temperature (10°C; 15°C; 25°C) for 3, 9, 15, 45 and 90 days. Compared with other silages, silage stored at 25°C had higher (p &lt; 0.05) lactic acid content, lower (p &lt; 0.05) pH, butyric acid content and ammonia‐nitrogen (N) ratio of total N. Fluctuant storage temperature limited lactic acid fermentation process with delayed pH decline and continuous butyric production and crude protein (CP) degradation. The differences of pH, lactic acid, propionic acid and ammonia‐N were considerably less evident in the centre of silages stored at different temperatures, and they increased towards the boundaries. The data shows that fluctuant storage temperature had undesirable effect on the fermentation quality of silage, especially for the external part of silo; relatively high and stable storage temperature for initial stage of ensiling process was necessary, but did not promote a positive response to the homogeneous distributions of pH and fermentation products in large round bale silage.

Effect of increased inclusion of dried distillers grain supplement on adaptation, intake, digestibility, and rumen parameters in steers consuming bermudagrass round bale silage.

Eight ruminally cannulated beef steers were used to evaluate forage intake and physiological response during adaptation to a diet consisting of bermudagrass round bale silage (RBS) and dried distillers grains (DDG) and in a second experiment the effect of level of DDG supplementation on RBS forage intake, digestibility, and rumen parameters. The adaptation experiment was designed to simulate a 14-d step-up process. Initially steers received ad libitum RBS, on d 4 steers were offered 1.13 kg of DDG daily and every 4 d daily DDG offered was increased by 1.13 kg. Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected before feeding (0 h) and 6, 12, 24 (before feeding), and 36 h after every diet change. The digestibility experiment was conducted as an 8 × 4 Latin square with four periods. Treatments included RBS only and DDG supplement levels of 0.33%, 0.66%, and 1.0% of body weight (RBS + 0.33, +0.66, and 1.0, respectively). Collection periods consisted of 21 d to determine dry matter intake [DMI], digestibility, and collect rumen fluid samples. During adaptation, level of DDG did not (P = 0.42) affect RBS DMI. Mean ruminal pH was greater (P < 0.05) for RBS only compared with diets with DDG. When steers were offered 3.39 or 4.52 kg/d of DDG rumen NH3-N concentration was greater (P ≤ 0.05) compared with other levels of DDG or RBS alone. Mean nonesterified fatty acid and plasma urea N concentrations varied among levels of DDG offered. In the digestibility experiment forage DMI, total DMI, and total tract apparent digestibility exhibited a quadratic (P ≤ 0.05) response to level of DDG offered. Mean ruminal pH responded in a quadratic manner (P = 0.03) and was greater for RBS only compared with RBS plus DDG at any level. Mean ruminal NH3-N concentration tended (P = 0.07) to respond in a cubic manner as DDG amount offered increased. Physiological responses during adaptation to DDG over 14 d resembled responses previously observed after long-term DDG supplementation. Offering DDG up to 1% of body weight did depress forage DMI and ruminal pH but increased total DMI, diet digestibility, and ruminal NH3-N concentration.

Enhancement of α‐tocopherol by ensiling in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum)

AbstractExperiments were conducted to document the enhancement of tocopherol (Toc), the main source of vitamin E in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants, by ensiling. The Toc content of four genotypes of barley and wheat was significantly enhanced by ensiling in plastic bags, and enhancement rates were 109–337% in barley and 331–503% in wheat. The overall enhancement was driven by the α‐form isomer. A significant interaction of ensiling treatment by genotype was not found in the Toc content in either species, indicating that the enhancement of Toc by ensiling was consistent irrespective of genotypes in both crops. Significant Toc enhancement by ensiling was exclusively found in leaves. The enhancement of Toc was also confirmed in round bale silages in both crops, which is prevalent as preservation methods of forages in many countries worldwide. Tocopherol enhancement was speculated to be likely because of the free phytol derived from chlorophyll breakdown, which was released from chlorophyll in leaves during ensiling to be used in the biosynthesis of Toc.

94 Effect of Forage Type and Supplement Frequency on Heifer Growth and Reproductive Performance.

In each of 2 yr a 2 by 2 factorial design of forage type Tifton-85 or Coastal bermudagrass large round bale silage and supplement frequency of daily or 3 d/wk (3X) was used to evaluate growth and reproductive performance in heifers. In each year, heifers (n = 123, BW = 272 ± 3.7 kg) were blocked by breed, BW, and BCS and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 pens (15 heifers/pen) for a 112 d development period. Heifers were pen fed silage and supplement fed daily or 3X, mean amount was 2.96 kg•heifer-1•d-1. Weekly blood samples were collected for analysis of plasma progesterone concentration. Heifer BW and BCS were collected every 28 d. On d 112, heifers were synchronized using a CIDR and time-AI. Ten d following AI, heifers were exposed to a bull for 60-d. Pregnancy status was determined at 30 and 60 d intervals. Statistical analysis used pen as the experimental unit and PROC MIXED to analyze BW, BCS, and GENMOD for reproductive performance. Fixed effects included forage, frequency, and interactions, random effects included year and heifer. Final BW and 112-d ADG were not different (P > 0.31) for Coastal than Tifton-85 (351 vs 345 ± 7.4 kg and 0.69 vs 0.65 ± 0.11 kg/d). Final BW and 112-d ADG did not differ (P > 0.84) between Daily and 3X supplemented heifers (348 vs 348 ± 4.8 kg and 0.67 vs 0.68 ± 0.12 kg/d). There was no forage x frequency interaction (P = 0.20) for final BW and 112-d ADG. Body condition score on d 112 did not differ (P > 0.05, 5.4 ± 0.11). Cycling status at the initiation of the breeding season tended (P = 0.10) to be greater for Daily (46%) compared to 3X (31%) heifers. Artificial insemination pregnancy exhibited a forage x frequency interaction (P < 0.009). Tifton-85/daily supplemented heifers (73%) had similar (P > 0.05) AI pregnancy rate compared to Coastal/3X (55%), but greater (P < 0.05) than Tifton-85/3X (42%) and Coastal/daily (39%). Coastal/3X and Tifton-85/3X both had greater (P < 0.05) AI pregnancy rate than Coastal/daily. However, 30-d and 60-d pregnancy rates did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments (73% and 85%, respectively). Similarities in heifer final BW and ADG among forage types and supplement frequency resulted in similar heifer 30-d or 60-d pregnancy rate. However, Tifton-85 did result in greater 30- and 60-d pregnancy rates.

低水分ロールベールラップサイレージの簡易評価法 : 2. 同一圃場から生産した低水分ベールサイレージの最小抽出個数ならびに原料草の品質変動

低水分ロールベールラップサイレージの簡易評価法 : 2. 同一圃場から生産した低水分ベールサイレージの最小抽出個数ならびに原料草の品質変動

低水分ロールベールラップサイレージの簡易評価法 : 1.品質判定指標と最適サンプリング位置の検討

低水分ロールベールラップサイレージの簡易評価法 : 1.品質判定指標と最適サンプリング位置の検討

Effect of adding rumen-degradable protein to a dried distillers grain supplement on growth, body composition, blood metabolites, and puberty in yearling Angus and Brangus heifers

The objective of the study was to determine whether adding soybean meal (SBM), a source of RDP, to a dried distillers grain (DDG) and bermudagrass round bale silage (RBS) diet would enhance growth, body composition, and onset of puberty in Angus (n = 30; 234 ± 19 kg) and Brangus (n = 30; 252 ± 28 kg) heifers (mean age 259 ± 21 d). On d 0, heifers were assigned to (1) RBS + DDG at 0.75% BW; (2) RBS + DDG at 0.75% BW + SBM at 7.5% of DDG; or (3) RBS + DDG at 0.75% BW + SBM at 15% of DDG for 140 d. There were no treatment or breed (P > 0.05) effects for BW, BCS, or ADG by d 140. Moreover, there were no (P > 0.05) treatment or treatment × breed effects on change in body composition from d 0 to 140 for ultrasound LM area (LMA), LMA as a percentage of BW, LMA intramuscular fat, rib fat, or rump fat. Although, Angus had greater (P ≤ 0.05) LMA intramuscular fat on d 140 than Brangus. Brangus tended (P = 0.08) to have greater rump fat and LMA and greater (P ≤ 0.05) LMA as a percentage of BW than Angus on d 140. Blood metabolites were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments from d 0 to 140. Percentage of heifers pubertal by d 140 were not different (P > 0.05) between treatments. In conclusion, addition of SBM at either 7.5 or 15% of the total DDG supplement had no beneficial effects compared with DDG alone on heifer growth, body composition, or onset of puberty.

Round-Bale Silage Harvesting and Processing Effects on Overwintering Ability, Dry Matter Yield, Fermentation Quality, and Palatability of Dwarf Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach)

Round-bale silage harvesting and processing methods were assessed to evaluate overwintering ability and dry matter (DM) yield, fermentation quality and palatability of overwintered dwarf Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) in the two years following establishment in Nagasaki, Japan, in May 2013 using rooted tillers with a density of 2 plants/m2. In 2014, harvesting methods under no-wilting treatment were compared for flail-type harvesting with a round-baler (Flail/baler plot) and mower conditioning with a round-baler (Mower/baler plot), which is common for beef-calf–producing farmers in the region. In 2015, the effect of ensilage with wilting was investigated only in the Mower/baler plot. Dwarf Napiergrass was cut twice, in early August (summer) and late November (late autumn), each year. The winter survival rate was greater than 96% in May both years. The DM yield in the Mower/baler plot did not differ significantly for the first summer cutting or the annual total from the Flail/baler plot, but did show inferior yield for the second cutting. The fermentation quality of the second-cut plants, estimated using the V2-score, was higher in the Flail/baler plot than in the Mower/baler plot, possibly because of higher air-tightness, and the second-cut silage tended to have better fermentation quality than the first-cut silage in both harvesting plots. Wilting improved the fermentation quality of dwarf Napiergrass silage in summer, but not in autumn. The palatability of the silage, as estimated by alternative and voluntary intake trials using Japanese Black beef cattle, did not differ significantly between plots. The results suggest that dwarf Napiergrass can be better harvested using a mower conditioner with processing by a round-baler, an approach common to beef-calf–producing farmers, than with the flail/baler system, without reducing the persistence, yield, or palatability of the silage. Moreover, wilting treatment improved the fermentation quality of the dwarf Napiergrass silage when processed in summer.