Corn Silage Production Research Articles

Characterization of phosphorus balances in corn silage fields from eight New York dairies

AbstractOptimizing phosphorus (P) application in corn (Zea mays L.) silage production systems to align with crop P requirements while sustaining soil test P (STP) levels can help mitigate environmental risks and enhance farm profitability. The objectives of this study were to characterize P balances of corn silage fields in New York, their drivers, relationships between P balances and field STP and nitrogen (N) balances, as well as the impact of manure application practices on balances. Field‐level balances (supply–uptake) for P and N were derived for 994 field observations across eight dairy farms and 5 years. On average, P balances were low (11 kg P ha−1) with a wide range across farm averages (−11 to 30 kg P ha−1). Across farms, P was applied at higher rates to fields with adequate STP than to lower STP fields, indicating potential opportunities for reallocation of P within farms. Phosphorus balances were positively related to N balances. Manure nutrient utilization indicated that N‐based applications would lead to large positive P balances in all farms. Phosphorus‐based manure applications could cover on average 51% of corn N requirements under current farm manure application practices. This could be increased up to 85% when maximizing the utilization of manure inorganic N. Management alternatives to prevent excessive P balances include improving diet formulation to reduce P excretion, reducing animal density, exporting manure, implementing manure treatment technologies that conserve N and/or remove P, combining appropriate rates of manure and fertilizer, and maximizing manure inorganic N utilization in field applications.

New records of Bipolaris from Algeria causing leaf spots of corn including two new pathogens on the host, a challenge to corn silage production

New records of Bipolaris from Algeria causing leaf spots of corn including two new pathogens on the host, a challenge to corn silage production

Isolation of Bacillus velezensis from Silage and Its Effect on Aerobic Stability and In Vitro Methane Production of Whole-Plant Corn Silage

Once a silo has been opened, the silage inside will face challenges such as aerobic deterioration, rot, and contamination. Biocontrol bacteria, as a kind of biological antiseptic, are highly effective and natural and are gaining increasing attention. This study aimed to screen a strain with anti-microbial activity against silage spoilage microorganisms and examine its effects on the fermentation quality, aerobic stability, in vitro digestion, and methane production of silage. Lactic acid bacteria, pathogenic and rot-causing microorganisms, were used as indicators to screen the strains for putrefactive silage. The bacteriostatic spectrum, growth performance, and tolerance to the silage environment of the strain were tested. A strain named D-2 was screened from rotten whole-plant corn silage and identified as Bacillus velezensis through physiological and biochemical tests as well as 16S rDNA sequencing. This study found that D-2 exhibits antibacterial effects on several microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Fusarium oxysporum, and Fusarium graminearum. However, it has no adverse effect on Lactobacillus reuteri, Enterococcus faecium, or Lactobacillus casei. D-2 can attain a stable stage within 10 h and withstand temperatures of up to 70 °C. Moreover, this study found that D-2 had a high survival rate of over 97% after 48 h in a lactic acid environment with pH 4. Freshly chopped whole-plant corn was inoculated without or with D-2 and ensiled for 60 days. The results show that D-2 inoculations increase the content of water-soluble carbohydrates, acetic acid, and propionic acid in the silage and decrease the number of yeasts and molds, the NH4+-N/TN ratio, and the pH. We also found that fermenting whole-plant corn with D-2 significantly increased the in vitro digestibility and the propionic acid content, while also significantly inhibiting methane production. After being exposed to air for 10 days, D-2 can still effectively reduce the total number of yeasts and molds, prevent the decrease in lactic acid bacteria, and inhibit the increase in the pH and NH4+-N/TN ratio of silage products. Overall, D-2 is resistant to pathogenic and rot-causing microorganisms, allowing for easy adaptation to silage production conditions. D-2 can effectively improve aerobic stability and reduce losses in the nutritional value of silage, indicating possible applications for the prevention of silage rot and methane production.

Forage cactus as an additive in corn without the cob silages of feedlot sheep diets.

This study aimed to assess the impact of adding forage cactus as an additive to the production of corn silage without the cob on the performance of feedlot sheep and subsequent silage losses. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of three treatments: corn silage without cob; 0% = 100% corn plant without the cob; 10% = 90% corn plant without cob + 10% forage cactus; 20% = 80% corn plant without cob + 20% forage cactus. Significant effects were observed for dry matter intake (P = 0.0201), organic matter (P = 0.0152), ether extract (P = 0.0001), non-fiber carbohydrates (P = 0.0007). Notably, nutrient digestibility showed significant differences in organic matter (P = 0.0187), ether extract (P = 0.0095), neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.0005), non-fiber carbohydrates (P = 0.0001), and metabolizable energy (P = 0.0001). Performance variables, including total weight gain (P = 0.0148), average daily weight gain (P = 0.0148), feeding efficiency, and rumination efficiency of dry matter (P = 0.0113), also exhibited significant effects. Consequently, it is recommended to include 20% forage cactus in corn silage, which, based on natural matter, helps meet animals' water needs through feed. This inclusion is especially vital in semi-arid regions and aids in reducing silage losses during post-opening silo disposal.

CUSTOS DE PRODUÇÃO: SILAGEM DE MILHO NA REGIÃO NORTE DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO

he objective was to evaluate production costs during all mechanized and manual operations used in the production of corn silage (common), cultivated in the municipality of Colina, São Paulo, in the 2022/23 season. Among the costs involved in agricultural production, those with agricultural machinery and inputs are the main ones. For this purpose, two seed varieties of corn: P4285VYHR and P4285R were used. Harrowing was performed with a harrow; two harrowing with crushing harrow; sowing and fertilization in line with a fertilizer seeder; application of herbicide and insecticide with boom sprayer; and harvesting with a single row forage harvester. The P4285VYHR variety had a COE 2.4% higher than the P4285R variety, but the yield of the first variety was 34% higher than the second variety. Keywords: Economic viability; Planting; Cultivars.

The Use of Faba Bean Cover Crop to Enhance the Sustainability and Resiliency of No-Till Corn Silage Production and Soil Characteristics

Sustainable corn production requires a dramatic shift toward natural soil fertility rather than relying solely on synthetic fertilizers. Cover crops play an important role in improving the productivity of subsequent row crops through improving soil properties. The main goal of this study was to investigate if increasing cover crop biomass through applying a higher density can enhance soil characteristics in the short term and contribute more nitrogen to succeeding corn silage. In a two-year field study (2018–2019), the influence of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as a cover crop on soil characteristics and corn silage (Zea mays L.) production was evaluated. Treatments consisted of five levels of faba bean density (0, 25, 35, 40, and 80 plants m−2) and four application rates of urea-based nitrogen fertilizer (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha−1) in a no-till system. The measured soil characteristics were not significantly affected through increasing cover crop density to 80 plants m−2. The faba bean roots comprised 33% of total biomass in densities ranging from 25–40 plants m−2. The highest total N yield (root + shoot) was 133 kg N ha−1, obtained from 40 faba bean plants m−2. The faba bean root decomposed faster than the shoot, and the addition of N to the corn accelerated 50% N release from the roots but had no significant effect on shoot decomposition. Corn planted after 40 plants m−2 faba bean yielded 28% more than the corn with no faba bean. Corn yielded less in no-cover-crop fields even when it received the highest synthetic N rate (300 kg N ha−1), indicating the value of including faba bean in rotation with corn.

Dual-Purpose Rye, Wheat, and Triticale Cover Crops Offer Increased Forage Production and Nutrient Management but Demonstrate Nitrogen Immobilization Dynamics

Dual-purpose cover crops (DPCCs) are gaining popularity for their potential to provide additional forage, while also providing significant ecosystem services. In the Northeastern United States, DPCCs can be incorporated into corn silage (Zea mays L.) production, increasing the environmental sustainability and economic resiliency of dairy systems. In a three-year field study, rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and triticale (xTriticosecale) DPCCs provided an average of 4.1 Mg ha−1 of forage, without impacting subsequent corn silage yield. The relative feed values of triticale and wheat were 120 and 122, respectively, significantly greater than that of rye at 109. DPCCs removed 60 kg ha−1 of nitrogen (N) and 20 kg ha−1 of phosphorus (P) on average at harvest; this removal is important for nutrient management in manured systems with high P levels. The results of this experiment suggested that in addition to capturing nutrients from the fall manure application, DPCCs captured nutrients already present in the soil. The DPCC residue left in the field after harvest represented 46% of the total plant biomass, and returned 1.6 Mg ha−1 of carbon. Decomposition trends of DPCCs demonstrated nitrogen immobilization dynamics. Twenty percent of all the residual nitrogen was released in the first week after termination. The residual biomass continued to decompose, but the nitrogen decomposition was arrested. While, in this study, corn yields were not impeded, our findings demonstrated the potential to affect the fertility needs of corn in a multi-year rotation.

Removal of nutrients and bromatological quality of corn in high productivity crops

Corn has been the most used plant for the production of silage of high bromatological value, aiming at feeding dairy cows of medium to high productivity. Several techniques have been proposed to increase the productivity of crops and the bromatological quality of silages, including new agricultural practices in the implantation and management of crops and also new procedures during cutting and ensiling. In the present work, soil fertility, nutritional status, dry matter production, nutrient removal and chemical quality of maize destined for silage were evaluated in four high productivity crops. The evaluations were carried out in rural properties in the Zona da Mata Mineira, which intensively use the production of corn silage to feed dairy cows. Samplings for the evaluation of soil fertility, nutritional status and production and accumulation of nutrients were carried out systematically. In the female inflorescence emission phase, the leaf blade was analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents, systematically sampling seven areas of 3, 5 m2 each. When the aerial biomass of the plants presented an average of 33% of dry matter, the forage production of the crop was evaluated, sampling again, in the same areas used to evaluate the soil fertility and the nutritional status of the plants. The corn was cut at about 20 cm above the ground and the plant material was weighed and passed through a forage chopper. Subsamples of this material were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S contents. Soil fertility in the crops of the small rural properties assessed was medium to high, with phosphorus contents ranging from 10 to 20 mg dm- 3, while for potassium this variation ranged from 40 to 89 mg dm-3. In the soils of the four analyzed crops, there was no exchangeable aluminum in the 0 to 20 cm layer, and in the 20 to 40 cm layer, aluminum saturation in crops 1 and 3 was also small, less than 5%. It was found that all crops had adequate mineral nutrition for both macros and micronutrients. The production of dry matter and nutrient accumulation in the aerial biomass of maize in the crops were high. The average value of dry matter accumulation was close to 20.0 t per hectare, and the average removal of nutrients, by harvesting the aerial part of the corn for silage, was 247, 34, 245, 34, 23 and 22 kg per hectare for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and sulfur, respectively. The average values of crude protein, NDF, ADF, lignin and starch were, respectively, in g kg-1, 78; 460; 258; 40 and 277, characterizing forage of good bromatological quality.

Impacts of Irrigation Technology, Irrigation Rate, and Drought-Tolerant Genetics on Silage Corn Production

Many studies have examined individual water-saving management practices for corn (Zea mays L.), but few studies have looked at how combinations of practices might further enhance water optimization. The research objectives of this paper were to evaluate the impact of irrigation technology, irrigation rate, and crop genetics, as well as their interactions, on silage corn yield and forage quality. Trials were conducted in three Utah locations from 2019 through 2021. The results from five site-years indicated that the best water optimization practices varied by site-year. Low-elevation sprinklers commonly applied water more efficiently, with four of the five site-years having improved or equivalent yield compared to mid-elevation sprinklers. Irrigation rate reductions and yield losses were not proportional, as a 25% irrigation reduction resulted in better silage quality and a 7% average yield loss across site-years. Further, targeted deficit irrigation (less water during vegetation and more during maturation) was inferior to a uniform deficit during all growth stages. Drought-tolerant genetics often maintained but did not improve yield in extreme water stress environments compared to non-DT genetics. No cumulative benefits were observed when combining irrigation technology, rate, and DT genetics. Irrigation technology had the greatest potential of the three factors to optimize water use in silage corn production in the Western U.S. region.

Morphological aspects of rumen papillae of lambs fed agro-industrial wastes.

Sheep meet production systems require roughage feed of good nutritional quality. However, the production of sorghum or corn silage, besides expensive, also depends on large cultivable areas and favorable weather conditions. Thus, agro-industrial residues have stood out as a feed alternative that contribute to the reduction of production costs and to the conservation of the environment. Fragments of the ruminal mucosa of 30 healthy lambs fed with agro-industrial residues and slaughtered with a final weight of 36 kg were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. We observed that the coproducts grape residue and wet brewery residue affected the shape, dimensions, and cytoarchitecture of the rumen epithelium in contrast to traditional sorghum silage. The rumen papillae of lambs fed grape waste were larger, and their epithelium was thinner when compared to the papillae of lambs fed wet brewery waste and sorghum silage. It can be assumed that the increased mucosal surface area of the rumen contributed to greater weight gain and reduced time to slaughter. The use of a greater variety of agro-industrial residues as a substitute for traditional feedstuffs contributes to the increase in animal protein production in many countries, making the confinement of sheep more viable and sustainable.

Knowledge transfer from students and rural producers about the importance of particle size in corn silage for dairy cows

This study aimed to guide UFGD students and rural producers about the importance of the ideal particle size in corn silage for dairy cows and its influence on milk production. The work was developed in a rural property in the District of Panambi, in the Municipality of Douradina, Mato Grosso do Sul state. The property is specialized in dairy cattle farming, where the food base of the animals is corn silage. An equipment called Penn State Particle Separator was inserted in the corn silage production process, which allows estimating the quality of the corn chopping process and inferring how the particle size interferes in the quality of the silage. The action allowed those involved to see in practice the importance of the ideal particle size (1 to 2 cm) when evaluating different samples of corn silage with the Penn State Particle Separator and later the animals' consumption and the quality of the animals' leftovers. The exchange of knowledge between the academy and the field, allows the identification of complex issues about the impact of the physical characteristics of food on rumen kinetics, in order to impact the productivity of every rural enterprise. Students and farmers could see in practice the importance of the appropriate particle size for the ensiling process as it is related to forage compaction and how the appropriate particle size can positively influence consumption, produce rumination, salivation and proper peristaltic motion and consequently animal production.

Agronomic Efficiency of Biotite in Soybean and Corn Silage Production

The aim of the present study is to assess the agronomic efficiency and potential of using biotite, a remineralizer, as nutrient source to both soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill and maize silage (Zea mays L.). These crops were grown in succession in different soils. The research was conducted due to the importance of adopting alternative sources of fertilizers for agriculture and the relevance of using ground silicate rock powders to maximize plant growth. The purpose was to also register this product in Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) as a soil remineralizer. Biotite (BE), a silicate rock powder used as soil remineralizer, was provided by Embu Mineral Company, Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo State, Brazil. BE samples were used for particle size, mineralogical and geochemical analysis in order to assess its classification as a soil remineralizers based on Normative Instruction N. 5/2006, by MAPA. Two experiments, one with each crop, were conducted on a sandy loam texture Yellow Latosol (LA) and a clay Red Latosol (LV) soil. The experiments were zed block design with four replicates. Treatments consisted, witness, biotite (BE) remineralizer at four increasing K2O rates (30, 60, 120 and 240 kg K2O ha-1), KCl at 60 kg K2O ha-1, and FMX remineralizer (fine-graded mica schist from Pedreira Araguaia Mineral Company). Both KCl and FMX were used as reference K2O sources. Yield data have shown K release in the soil and absorption by the test plants resulted in yield increases. Biotite behavior in the soil is similar to that of FMX and in some cases, to that of KCl. Biotite has great potential to be used as potassium source in soybean and maize crops.

Lentilactobacillus buchneri Preactivation Affects the Mitigation of Methane Emission in Corn Silage Treated with or without Urea

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different forms of Lentilactobacillus buchneri on the in vitro methane production, fermentation characteristics, nutritional quality, and aerobic stability of corn silage treated with or without urea. The following treatments were applied prior to ensiling: (1) no urea treatment and LB; (2) no urea treatment+freeze dried LB; (3) no urea treatment+preactivated LB; (4) with urea treatment+no LB; (5) with urea treatment+freeze dried LB; (6) with urea treatment+preactivated. LB was applied at a rate of 3 × 108 cfu/kg on a fresh basis, while urea was applied at a rate of 1% on the basis of dry matter. Data measured at different time points were analyzed according to a completely randomized design, with a 2 × 3 × 5 factorial arrangement of treatments, while the others were analyzed with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. Preactivated LB was more effective than freeze-dried LB in reducing silage pH, ammonia nitrogen, cell-wall components, yeast count, and carbon dioxide production, as well as increasing lactic acid and residual water-soluble carbohydrate and aerobic stability (p < 0.0001). A significant reduction in the methane ratio was observed after 24 h and 48 h incubation with preactivated forms of LB (p < 0.001). The results indicated that preactivated LB combined with urea improved fermentation characteristics, nutritional quality, and aerobic stability and reduced the methane ratio of corn silages.

The use of winter forage crops and dairy manure to improve soil water storage in continuous corn in Southern Idaho

Quantifying soil water storage by changes in management practices, such as double cropping, manure application, and reduced tillage, in semi-arid and irrigated crop production areas is important for agricultural production. We investigated the effects of winter forage crops (triticale), dairy manure, and tillage on soil physical characteristics (soil water storage, infiltration, runoff, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and bulk density) and silage corn yield in calcareous silty loam soils in Southern Idaho for six years, from 2016 to 2021. Soil water storage was measured every 15 cm using a neutron probe down to 150 cm, and infiltration and runoff were measured using a Cornell Sprinkle Infiltrometer. Soil water storage tended to be lower for winter forage crop plus solid dairy manure, likely due to increased crop water use. Infiltration rate, runoff, and saturated hydraulic conductivity did not improve with winter forage crops or solid dairy manure. Rainfall before runoff was highest for winter forage crop plus solid dairy manure, suggesting that those plots were drier compared to the control. During the six years of the study, only three of those years saw treatment differences in silage corn yields, with yields being the highest for solid dairy manure only. Combined triticale and silage corn yield was higher in three years for winter forage crop plus solid dairy manure. Reduced tillage practices did not improve soil water storage, soil physical properties, or dry biomass yield (silage corn or silage corn plus winter forage crop). Based on these findings, using winter forage crops may be beneficial to increase total dry biomass yields in dairy systems that would like to increase their forage production, however it is not advised if a producer is only looking to increase silage corn production or in limited precipitation or irrigation areas.

Environmental impacts of corn silage production: influence of wheat residues under contrasting tillage management types

The intensification of specific land management operations (tillage, herbicide, etc.) is increasing land degradation and contributing to ecosystem pollution. Mulches can be a sustainable tool to counter these processes. This is particularly relevant for rural areas in low-income countries where agriculture is a vital sector. In this research, the environmental impact of different rates of wheat residues (no residues, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) in corn silage cultivation was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) systems in a semi-arid region in Karaj, Iran. Results showed that in both tillage systems, marine aquatic ecotoxicity (ME) and global warming potential (GWP) had the highest levels of pollution among the environmental impact indicators. In CT systems, the minimum (17,730.70 kg 1,4-dichlorobenzene (DB) eq.) and maximum (33,683.97 kg 1,4-DB eq.) amounts of ME were related to 0 and 100% wheat residue rates, respectively. Also, in the CT system, 0 and 100% wheat residue rates resulted in minimum (176.72 kg CO2 eq.) and maximum (324.95 kg CO2 eq.) amounts of GWP, respectively. However, in the NT system, the 100% wheat residue rate showed the minimum amounts of ME (11,442.39 kg 1,4-DB eq.) and GWP (120.21 kg CO2 eq.). Also, in the NT system, maximum amounts of ME (17,174 kg 1,4-DB eq.) and GWP (175.60 kg CO2 eq.) were observed with a zero wheat residue rate. On-farm emissions and nitrogen fertilizers were the two factors with the highest contribution to the degradation related to environmental parameters at all rates of wheat residues. Moreover, in the CT system, the number of environmental pollutants increased with the addition of a higher wheat residue rate, while in the NT system, increasing residue rates decreased the amount of environmental pollutants. In conclusion, this LCA demonstrates that the NT system with the full retention of wheat residues (100%) is a more environmentally sustainable practice for corn silage production. Therefore, it may be considered one of the most adequate management strategies in this region and similar semi-arid conditions. Further long-term research and considering more environmental impact categories are required to assess the real potential of crop residues and tillage management for sustainable corn silage production.

Determination of Water Footprint for the Cotton and Maize Production in the Küçük Menderes Basin

Considering the effects of rapid population growth, urbanisation and climate change in recent years, the protection of freshwater resources, the prevention of water pollution and the proper sharing of freshwater resources among different sectors have become important issues. Water footprint (WF) is a sign of freshwater use and is not only an indicator that can be used in the climate crisis, but also to protect water against nitrate pollution. In this study, the Küçük Menderes Basin was chosen as the study area due to different crop varieties. Agricultural crop patterns were classified using Rapideye and Sentinel-2 satellite images of the study area obtained in 2017. Thus, the cultivated areas were obtained for cotton and maize (grain and silage) in the basin. In particular, agricultural crop patterns were considered in which agricultural production was intensive and blue water was used predominantly. As a result, the first-crop corn production, which has a high blue WF of 3840 m3/ton in the basin, has the highest greywater footprint due to the use of intensive chemical fertilisers. This was followed by cotton with 2331 m3/ton, and the second-crop silage corn production had the lowest greywater footprint. Agriculture’s water footprint assessment provides a solid foundation for planning climate change adaptive crop production, managing nitrate-sensitive areas and anticipating future regional changes.

Assessing Crop and Corn Silage Profile in Beef Cattle Farms in Southern Brazil: Ten Years’ Results

This work aimed to investigate corn crop management practices and the quality of corn silage in beef cattle farms in southern Brazil during ten years of sampling. A total of 63 farms, located in 16 municipalities in Paraná state, Brazil, participated in the study of corn crop characterization, while the corn silages were obtained from 65 farms located in 18 municipalities in the same state. A total of 49 corn hybrids were identified, with a preference for early cycle hybrids (E) and semi-hard grain type (SH). The dataset was obtained between 2011 and 2020, and the average cycle of the identified hybrids ranged from 150 ± 14 days in 2012 to 134 ± 12 days in 2019, with a maximum amplitude of 182 days in 2012 and a minimum of 99 days in 2019 and 2020. The DM content of the plant at harvest ranged from 40.1% to 45.9% between the average of the years evaluated, with an average dry biomass yield of 25 t ha−1. The analyzed silages had average levels of aNDF and ADF within the expectation (45.6% and 26.2%, respectively) but with CP content below that commonly observed in corn silages (6.9%) due to the stage of advanced maturity at harvest. Based on this monitoring, we emphasize that the production of corn silage on beef cattle farms in southern Brazil faces specific challenges, which include outsourcing the provision of harvesting services. Above all, it was clear that there were no significant advances in the results obtained over ten years, raising concerns about interventions in the process.

A Study on Cattle Feeding Practices and Habits of Cattle Enterprises in Central County of Ağrı Province

This study was carried out in the central county of Ağrı Province in order to reveal the cattle feeding habits of cattle breeders. For this purpose, data were obtained by conducting a face-to-face survey with 400 dairy cattle owners of the enterprises in the county. According to the results obtained from this study, it was determined that 91.5% of the breeders produced their forage crops. It was also found out that barley, alfalfa, and sainfoin were the most produced plants in these enterprises. However, the production of the corn silage, which is an important source of roughage for dairy cattle, was performed at a very low level (1.2%). Dry hay (93.5%) took first place among the roughage sources used in these enterprises, and it was followed by alfalfa hay (61.5%) and wheat-barley straw (28.0%). Corn silage was used at a low level (7.8%) in the cattle enterprises. It was determined that cattle breeders in the central county of Ağrı province were deficient in terms of some information about cattle feeding practices. It was also demonstrated that it was necessary to increase the usage and production of corn silage as forage crops and to implement rational animal feeding practices in place of the old traditional animal feeding habits. Therefore, cattle breeders in the central county of Ağrı province should be involved in technical training programs about the cattle feeding and forage planting. As result of the courses given to the cattle breeders, their technical information about cattle nutrition and preparation of ration would be updated. For this purpose, it is also recommended that agricultural extension service should be boosted to increase the education level and awareness of the cattle breeders in the rural areas.

Crude Fiber, Ether Extract, and Some Mineral Contents of the Corn Silage Grown at Different Weed Densities

Silage quality has great importance in animal feeding as much as yield. Quality characteristics are generally evaluated over crude protein and digestibility, but parameters related to mineral, total fiber, and sugar contents are also important indicators of silage quality and its nutritive value. Plant characteristics could affect these parameters, as silage material, and thereby, any environmental factors could affect these parameters indirectly. Weeds are one of the main environmental problems in silage corn production and in this study, the effect of weed density (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 weeds m-2) on ether extract, crude ash, crude fiber, starch, and mineral (Mg, Ca, P) contents of the silage was investigated in the years of 2019 and 2020. Inter-annual climatic variations had significant effects on ether extract, crude fiber, starch, Ca, and P contents of corn silage. The effect of weed densities was observed only on starch and Ca content. Increasing weed density decreased the Ca content but starch content showed an irregular variation. Weed density did not cause any significant variations in ether extract, crude ash, crude fiber, Mg, and P contents of the corn silage, but the total amount of the nutrition could be increased in silage by decreasing the competitive ability of the weeds at growth conditions of the silage corn.

Dry matter accumulation and nutrient cycling by soil cover plants in an intensive corn silage production system

This study aimed to evaluate dry matter accumulation and nutrient cycling by soil cover plants in an intensive corn silage production system. At the beginning of October, a study consisting of five soil cover plants, plus a control treatment (fallow area vegetation) was installed. The following cover plants were used: brachiaria brizantha, brachiaria ruziziensis, crotalaria juncea, jack bean and velvet bean. At the beginning of February of the year following sowing, we evaluated dry matter and nutrient accumulation in plant shoots. There was a significant effect at 0.1% of the cover plants on dry matter and nutrient accumulation. The average values ​​for dry matter accumulation in plant shoots were 19.88; 18.06; 16.38; 9.66; 8.96 and 4.26 t ha-1 for brachiaria brizantha, crotalaria juncea, brachiaria ruziziensis, jack bean, velvet bean and fallow area vegetation, respectively. The highest nitrogen accumulation was observed in crotalaria juncea (343 kg ha-1), followed by jack bean (269 kg ha-1). For brachiaria brizantha and ruziziensis, N accumulation of 247 and 216 kg ha-1 were found, respectively. Brachiaria brizantha had the highest accumulation of phosphorus and potassium, with average values ​​of 39 and 362 kg ha-1. In the fallow area vegetation, the accumulations of N, P and K were 42; 9.0 and 62 kg ha-1, respectively.