Corn Silage Research Articles

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

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

Maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation improves offspring performance and metabolism in beef cows.

This study examined the impact of maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation on offspring, considering potential sex-related effects. Forty-three pregnant purebred Tabapuã beef cows (20 female and 23 male fetuses) were collectively managed in a pasture until 100 d of gestation. From 100 to 200 d of gestation, they were randomly assigned to the restricted group [(RES) - basal diet (75% corn silage + 25% sugar cane bagasse + mineral mixture); n = 24] or control group [(CON) - same basal diet + based-plant supplement [40% of crude protein, 3.5g/kg of body weight (BW); n = 19]. From 200 d of gestation until parturition, all cows were equally fed corn silage and mineral mixture. During the cow-calf phase, cows and their calves were maintained in a pasture area. After weaning, calves were individually housed and evaluated during the backgrounding (255 to 320 d), growing 1 (321 to 381 d), and growing 2 (382 to 445 d) phases. Offspring's blood samples were collected at 210 and 445 d of age. Samples of skeletal muscle tissue were collected through biopsies at 7, 30, and 445 d of age. Muscle tissue samples were subjected to reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Prenatal treatment and offspring's sex (when pertinent) were considered fixed effects. The significance level was set at 5%. At mid-gestation, cows supplemented with protein reached 98% and 92% of their protein and energy requirements, while nonsupplemented cows attained only 30% and 50% of these requirements, respectively. The RES offspring were lighter at birth (27 vs. 31kg), weaning (197 vs. 214kg), and 445 d of age (398 vs. 429kg) (P ≤ 0.05). The CON calves had greater (P < 0.05) morphometric measurements overall. The CON offspring had ~26% greater muscle fiber area (P ≤ 0.01). There was a trend (P = 0.06) for a greater Mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase mRNA expression in the Longissimus thoracis in the CON group at 7 d of age. The Myogenic differentiation 1 expression was greater (P = 0.02) in RES-females. Upregulation of Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 was observed in RES offspring at 445 d (P = 0.04). Expression of Fatty acid binding protein 4 (P < 0.001), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (P < 0.001), and Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase (P < 0.001) was upregulated in CON-females. Therefore, protein supplementation during gestation enhances offspring growth and promotes favorable responses to lipogenesis, particularly in females.

Mixed ensiling plus nitrate destroy fiber structure of rape straw, increase degradation, and reduce methanogenesis through in vitro ruminal fermentation.

Better utilization of rape straw can provide alternative strategies for sustainable ruminant and food production. The research reported here investigated changes in the carbohydrate composition of rape straw as a result of mixed ensiling with whole-crop corn or inoculated with nitrate, and the consequent effects on ruminal fermentation through in vitro batch culture. The three treatments included: rape straw and corn silage (RSTC), and ensiling treatment of rape straw with whole-crop corn (RSIC) or with calcium nitrate inoculation (RSICN). Ensiling treatment of rape straw and whole-crop corn or plus nitrate enriched lactic acid bacteria and lactate. The treatments broke the fiber surface connections of rape straw, leading to higher neutral detergent soluble (NDS) content and lower fiber content. Ensiling treatments led to greater (P < 0.05) dry matter degradation (DMD), molar proportions of propionate and butyrate, relative abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Prevotella, and lower (P < 0.05) methane production in terms of g kg-1 DMD, molar proportions of acetate, and lower acetate to propionate ratio than the RSTC treatment. The RSICN treatment led to the lowest (P < 0.05) hydrogen concentration and methane production among the three treatments. Ensiling treatments of rape straw and whole-crop corn destroy the micro-structure of rape straw, promote substrate degradation by enriching the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Prevotella, and decrease methane production by favoring propionate and butyrate production. Nitrate inoculation in the ensiling treatment of rape straw and whole-crop corn further decreases methane production without influencing substrate degradation by providing an additional hydrogen sink. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of feeding α-amylase-expressed corn silage and grain on performance, enteric methane production, and carcass characteristics in beef steers.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding Enogen feed corn (EFC) silage or EFC grain with different grain processing (dry-rolled corn vs. whole-shelled corn) in feedlot cattle diets. Total 68 Angus cross-bred steers were blocked by body weight and the treatments (diets) were randomly assigned to steers in each block: a basal diet with isoline corn silage and isoline dry-rolled corn grain (IIR); the basal diet with EFC silage and isoline dry-rolled corn grain (EIR); the basal diet with EFC silage and EFC dry-rolled grain (EER); and the basal diet with EFC silage and EFC whole-shelled grain (EEW). Isoline refers to the isogenic counterpart of Enogen corn silage or grain. Steers received the assigned treatment over 32wk of the entire experiment (backgrounding and finishing) until harvested. Part of the steers (eight blocks) in each treatment were used to measure CH4 production (g/d) using the GreenFeed and CH4 production per unit of DMI. All data were analyzed using a mixed procedure of SAS in a randomized complete block design, considering diet as a fixed effect and block as a random effect. Steers fed the EIR diet increased (P = 0.03) DMI compared to IIR during the backgrounding phase. However, feeding EFC silage or grain did not affect body weight, average daily gain, and feed efficiency during backgrounding and finishing phases. Feeding EEW decreased (P ≤ 0.05) body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, and tended to decrease (P = 0.06) hot carcass weight compared to EER during the finishing phase. Methane production per unit of DMI decreased (P = 0.02) for steers fed EIR compared with steers fed IIR only during the backgrounding phase. Feeding EFC grain had no effect on CH4 production (g/d) in both phases. In conclusion, feeding EFC silage or grain did not improve the performance of beef steers during the backgrounding and finishing phases in the current experiment condition. Methane production per unit of DMI was reduced for steers fed EFC silage compared with isoline corn silage only during the backgrounding phase.

Effect of corn silage inclusion with different corn processing on finishing steer performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract Objectives were to determine the effect of corn silage inclusion within dry-rolled corn (DRC) or steam-flaked corn (SFC) finishing diets on cattle growth performance and carcass characteristics. The experiment used British and continental crossbred steers (n = 480; initial body weight [BW] = 389 ± 17 kg) in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with six replications per treatment. Treatments consist of four inclusions of corn silage (0%, 15%, 30%, or 45%; dry matter [DM] basis) within either a DRC or SFC diet. A corn silage by corn processing interaction was observed for dry-matter intake (DMI; P = 0.05). As corn silage inclusion increased in the diet, DMI increased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) for both corn processing methods. DM intake was not different between SFC and DRC-fed cattle at 0% (P = 0.33), 30% (P = 0.90), or 45% (P = 0.31) corn silage inclusion. The interaction was due to the DMI of cattle fed 15% silage, as cattle-fed DRC consumed 0.5 kg/d less (P &amp;lt; 0.01) than cattle on the SFC diet. Quadratic effects were observed for final BW, hot carcass weight (HCW), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (G:F), marbling, and fat depth (P &amp;lt; 0.01), regardless of corn processing. Cattle fed 15% or 30% corn silage gained faster (P &amp;lt; 0.01) than those fed 0% or 45% corn silage. Feed efficiency decreased quadratically (P &amp;lt; 0.01) as silage inclusion increased in the diet with G:F similar for cattle fed 0% and 15% silage and decreased curvilinearly for cattle fed 30% and 45% silage. The incidence of liver abscesses was greater (P = 0.03) in cattle fed 0% corn silage than for steers fed 15%, 30%, or 45% corn silage. Corn processing method, independent of silage, had no effect (P = 0.42) on liver abscess incidence. Feeding SFC increased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) steer final BW and HCW when compared to cattle-fed DRC, regardless of silage inclusion. Corn silage inclusion had similar effects on performance in both DRC diets and SFC diets except for DMI. As corn silage inclusion increased in the diet, feed efficiency decreased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Cattle-fed SFC gained 7.9% more (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and were 6.7% more efficient (P &amp;lt; 0.01) than cattle-fed DRC. In diets containing either DRC or SFC, corn silage can be included at up to 30% of the diet without negative impacts on ADG or HCW.

Effects of feeding an inoculated corn silage with or without a direct-fed microbial on dry matter intake, milk production, and nutrient digestibility of high-producing lactating Holstein cows.

This study evaluated the effects of inoculating corn silage and/or feeding a direct-fed microbial (PRO) on performance and nutrient digestibility of lactating dairy cows. At harvesting, corn silage was treated either with water (culated or not [CON]) or Lactococcus lactis and Lentilactobacillus buchneri (INC; SiloSolve FC) at 1.5 × 105 cfu/g of corn silage. Ten mini silos and one farm-scale silo bunker per treatment were prepared for the laboratory and the lactating dairy cow trial, respectively. Five mini silos per treatment were opened on days 2 or 90 post-ensiling for pH measurement, as well as chemical analysis and aerobic stability, respectively. The farm-scale silo bunkers were opened 77 d post-ensiling for the beginning of the lactating cow trial. Eighty lactating Holstein cows were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design to: (1) CON silage without PRO (CON-CON; n = 20), (2) CON silage with PRO at 14g/head/d (CON-PRO; n = 20), (3) INC silage without PRO (INC-CON; n = 20), and (4) INC silage with PRO at 14g/head/d (INC-PRO; n = 20). Concurrently with the feeding trial, eight cows per treatment were chosen for nutrient digestibility. The pH of the corn silage was not affected by the silage inoculant (P ≥ 0.29), but INC yielded greater concentration of acetic acid and longer aerobic stability (P < 0.01). Dairy cows fed INC had a lower mean total dry matter intake (DMI), milk protein content, and somatic cell counts vs. CON (P ≤ 0.02). On the other hand, milk and fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) production efficiency, milk urea-N, DM, crude protein, and starch digestibility were greater for INC-fed cows (P ≤ 0.03). Feeding direct-fed microbials (DFM) improved mean body weight, milk yield, and FPCM, as well as milk protein and lactose yield (P ≤ 0.05), but reduced milk fat and protein content (P = 0.02). A silage inoculant × DFM interaction was observed for milk production efficiency, milk protein and lactose content, and somatic cell count (P ≤ 0.05). Dairy cows fed INC-CON had a greater milk production efficiency and milk lactose content (P ≤ 0.04), but INC-PRO had lower milk protein content and SCC (P ≤ 0.03). In summary, inoculating L. lactis and L. buchneri increased acetic acid content and aerobic stability of corn silage, reduced DMI, but improved milk production efficiency and nutrient digestibility of lactating Holstein dairy cows. On the other hand, feeding PRO improved milk, protein, and lactose yield. Additionally, combining the feeding of an inoculated corn silage with PRO reduced milk somatic cell count.

Possibilidades de uso da função spline cúbica e de modelos de densidade de produção na estimativa do peso vivo de cordeiros kıvırcık alimentados com diferentes tipos de silagem

ABSTRACT In this study, the possibilities of using Cubic Spline functions and some yield-density models in the estimation of live weights of Kıvırcık lambs fed with different silage types were investigated. In the experiment, 40 male Kıvırcık lambs aged 2.5-3 months were used and the animals were fattened for 56 days. To assess the predictive performance of the fitted models, model fit statistics such as the coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted R2, mean square error (MSE), and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) were determined. The Cubic Spline model was discovered to be the best model for quantifying Kıvırcık lambs live weight, with the highest R2 and adjusted R2 values, as well as the lowest MSE and AIC values. Cubic Spline functions were applied as live weight estimation model in lambs fed with silage containing 5 different ratios of corn and sunflower (100% sunflower silage, 75% sunflower + 25% corn silage, 50% sunflower + 50% corn silage, 25% sunflower + 75% corn silage, 100% corn silage). As a result, Cubic Spline functions have been found to be effective in estimating the live weight of fattened lambs.

Predicting ruminal degradability and chemical composition of corn silage using near-infrared spectroscopy and multivariate regression.

The aim of this study was to develop and validate regression models to predict the chemical composition and ruminal degradation parameters of corn silage by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). Ninety-four samples were used to develop and validate the models to predict corn silage composition. A subset of 23 samples was used to develop and validate models to predict ruminal degradation parameters of corn silage. Wet chemistry methods were used to determine the composition values and ruminal degradation parameters of the corn silage samples. The dried and ground samples had their NIR spectra scanned using a poliSPECNIR 900-1700 model NIR sprectrophotometer (ITPhotonics S.r.l, Breganze, IT.). The models were developed using regression by partial least squares (PLS), and the ordered predictor selection (OPS) method was used. In general, the regression models obtained to predict the corn silage composition (P>0.05), except the model for organic matter (OM), adequately estimated the studied properties. It was not possible to develop prediction models for the potentially degradable fraction in the rumen of OM and crude protein and the degradation rate of OM. The regression models that could be obtained to predict the ruminal degradation parameters showed correlation coefficient of calibration between 0.530 and 0.985. The regression models developed to predict CS composition accurately estimated the CS composition, except the model for OM. The NIR has potential to be used by nutritionists as a rapid prediction tool for ruminal degradation parameters in the field.

Influence of medium chain fatty acids on selected microbes and on in vitro ruminal fermentation of air-exposed corn silage.

Several medium chain fatty acids and different chemical forms of these acids were evaluated in vitro as treatments of aerobically-exposed corn silage against spoilage and pathogenic microbes and for effects on rumen fermentation. Treatments were control (no additive), myristate (MY), laurate (LA), monolaurin (MLA), methyl ester laurate (MELA), a blend of mono-, di- and triglycerides of laurate (BLA), and monocaprylate (MC). After 24 h of aerobic incubation (37°C), yeast and mold growth were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatments, while the net growth of lactic acid bacteria was decreased, albeit slightly, compared to that by untreated controls (P < 0.01) by all treatments of the air-exposed corn silage. Compared with controls, wild-type enterococci were decreased (P < 0.01) in MLA, MELA, and BLA. Staphylococcus aureus was reduced (P < 0.01) with MLA, MELA, BLA, and MC. Total aerobes showed reductions (P < 0.01) with MLA, BLA, and MC. Listeria monocytogenes numbers were reduced (P < 0.01) with MELA. Anaerobic incubation (24 h; 39°C) of ruminal fluid (10 mL) with 0.2 g air-exposed and MCFA-treated corn silage revealed higher hydrogen accumulations (P < 0.01) with MLA and MC over the control treatment. Methane was decreased (P < 0.01) solely by MLA. There was an increase (P < 0.01) of acetate with MELA and MC; of propionate with MELA or by BLA; and of butyrate with MLA, MELA, BLA, and MC. Total VFA, hexose fermented, and ammonia were increased (P < 0.01) with MELA, BLA, and MC. The acetate:propionate ratio was increased (P < 0.01) with MC. The results showed that treatment of air-exposed corn silage with esterified MCFA had no effect on yeasts and molds but prevented propagation or reduced populations of some unwanted and potentially desirable bacteria. Modest methane reduction was seen during in vitro incubation of rumen fluid suspensions with MLA-treated silage and ammonia accumulations were increased in esterified MCFA-treated silage. Little, if any, other detrimental effects on beneficial ruminal fermentation characteristics were observed.

Lecitina integral de soja na produtividade e qualidade de carcaças de bovinos confinados

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of whole soy lecithin on the apparent digestibility of the diet, ingestive behavior, productive performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot-finished beef cattle. This was a completely randomized experimental design involving three treatments: Control diet; Diet with whole soy lecithin (10 g animal-1 day-1); and Diet with whole soy lecithin (20 g animal-1 day-1), with five replications. The diets were formulated and constituted of 33% corn silage and 67% concentrate, on a dry matter basis. Thirty non-castrated ½ Angus × ½ Nellore steers, with an average age of 14 months and average initial body weight of 432 kg, were used in the experiment. The dietary inclusion of whole soy lecithin improved the digestibility of ether extract and neutral detergent fiber but did not influence ingestive behavior. Supplementation with 10 g animal-1 day-1 of whole soy lecithin resulted in higher average weight gain (1.707 kg day-1) followed by non-supplemented animals (1.645 kg day-1) and those supplemented with whole soy lecithin at 20 g animal-1 day-1 (1.587 kg day-1). Carcass fatness was not altered with the supplementation of whole soy lecithin. The supply of whole soy lecithin improved the use of the ether extract and fiber fraction of the diet and resulted in the highest average weight gain. The level of 10 g animal-1 day-1 provided the best responses.

Non-protein nitrogen supplementation on in vitro fermentation profile, methane production, and microbial nitrogen synthesis in a corn silage-based substrate.

Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplements improve animal performance in backgrounding diets. However, there is scarce information regarding the effect of different NPN sources and combinations on ruminal fermentation profile. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of different NPN sources and their combinations on in vitro fermentation, microbial N synthesis, and methane (CH4) production in a backgrounding diet. Incubations were conducted on three separate days for 24h using corn silage and cotton gin byproduct (70% and 30% of DM, respectively) as substrate. Treatments were control (without NPN), urea, and five different proportions of urea-biuret and nitrate (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100). Each treatment, except control, was formulated to be isonitrogenous and equivalent to 1% urea inclusion. Ruminal fluid was collected from two ruminally cannulated Angus crossbred steers fed ad libitum corn silage and cotton gin byproduct plus 100g of a urea-biuret-nitrate mixture. The concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were determined at 12 and 24h of incubation. Final pH, in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility, total gas production, and concentration of CH4 were determined at 24h. The supplementation of NPN increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of NH3-N at 12 and 24h. Although NPN supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the concentration of total VFA and acetate at 12h, treatments did not differ (P > 0.05) at 24h. Supplementation of NPN increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of acetate at 12 and 24h but tended to reduce (P = 0.054) the proportion of propionate only at 12h. Digestibility and pH were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments. Increasing nitrates in the NPN supplement increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of acetate and reduced (P < 0.05) the proportion of butyrate at 12 and 24h. The supplementation of NPN increased (P < 0.05) microbial N synthesis. Furthermore, increasing nitrate proportion in the NPN supplement increased (P < 0.05) the microbial N synthesis and efficiency of N use. Supplementation of NPN did not modify (P > 0.05) total gas or CH4 production. However, increasing nitrate proportion in the NPN supplement linearly reduced (P < 0.05) CH4 production. Supplementation of NPN increased NH3-N concentration and microbial N while increasing the inclusion of nitrate decreased the production of CH4 and increased the microbial N synthesis in a corn silage-based substrate under in vitro conditions.

Effect of an algae feed additive on reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle.

Alga 1.0, a product containing bromoform, was fed to cattle to evaluate its effects on methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and diet digestibility. Twelve nonlactating, nonpregnant Jersey cows (490 ± 19kg body weight) were used in four replicated 3 × 3 Latin squares with three periods, each consisting of 21d. Cows were blocked by feed intake (averaged intakes over 4wk prior to trial) and assigned randomly to one of three treatments. Treatments included Alga 1.0 fed at 0, 69, and 103g/d in a 0.454kg/d dry matter (DM) top-dress daily in a modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) carrier. Diet consisted of 60% dry-rolled corn, 20% corn silage, 15% modified distillers grains, and 5% supplement (DM basis). Headbox-style indirect calorimeters were utilized to evaluate gas production from individual cows with two nonconsecutive 23-h collections in each period. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with cow within square as experimental unit and as a random effect, and treatment and period as fixed effects. Linear and quadratic contrasts were used to compare treatments. Feeding Alga 1.0 linearly reduced dry matter intake (DMI, P < 0.01) by 10.1% for 69g/d inclusion and 13.3% for 103g/d inclusion compared to the control. Nutrient intakes decreased linearly (P < 0.01) due to lower DMI, but nutrient digestibility was not impacted (P ≥ 0.28). Inclusion of Alga 1.0 did not impact gross energy or digestible energy concentration of the diets expressed as Mcal/kg DM (P ≥ 0.22) but did linearly reduce energy intake (Mcal/d; P < 0.01). Feeding Alga 1.0 linearly reduced enteric CH4 emissions measured as g/kg DMI (P < 0.01) by 39 and 64% for 69g/d and 103g/d inclusion, respectively. Linear reductions (P < 0.01) of 64% to 65% were also observed in enteric CH4 emissions when expressed per kilogram of DM or organic matter digested. Respired CO2 as g/d linearly decreased (P = 0.03) for cattle fed Alga 1.0 but did not differ when expressed as g/kg of DMI (P ≥ 0.23). Oxygen consumption did not differ between treatments for g/d and g/kg DMI (P ≥ 0.19). In conclusion, feeding Alga 1.0 reduced DMI up to 13.3%, did not impact digestibility, and significantly reduced CH4 emissions up to 63%.

AGE DYNAMICS OF CHANGES IN LINEAR GROWTH PARAMETERS OF REPLACEMENT HEIFERS UNDER DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THEIR FEEDING TECHNOLOGY

The dynamics of changes in body weight and parameters of linear growth of replacement heifers of the Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed under different approaches to the organization of their feeding technology were studied. The research was conducted on replacement heifers of the Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed with a body weight of 170 kg, since they were 6 months old. For the formation of the experimental groups, different approaches to the organization of their feeding technology were used, namely, heifers of the control group received a diet that included corn silage. In feeding the animals of the second and third (experimental) groups, respectively, 50% and 100% of such silage was replaced by mixture of corn and sorghum. After analyzing the silage used in the experiment, no significant differences in their chemical composition were found. Therefore, the use of silage prepared from the green mass of compatible crops of corn and sorghum as part of the diets of replacement heifers did not have a significant effect on changes in their nutritional value and the content of nutrients in them, as well as the content of crude protein, provided that detailed feeding standards are met. In particular, the increase in the content of crude fiber, based on 1 kg of dry matter of the diets, was 3 and 6 g, respectively, in the animals of the second and third groups. In the course of the experiment, no significant and probable difference was established in terms of the increase in body weight of replacement heifers from the control and experimental groups. However, at the end of the experiment, a statistically significant difference in growth intensity was established between the animals of Group III (experimental) and Group I (control), while the differences between the latter and Group II (experimental) increased to the trend level. In particular, an increase in average daily gains of heifers of experimental groups, compared to animals of the control group, on the fourth and fifth months of the experiment, respectively, by 4.0 and 6.4% and by 5.2 and 11.2% (р≤ 0.05). It was also established that the use of both traditional corn and corn and sorghum silage in the organization of animal feeding technology accelerates the achievement of economic maturity by heifers. It was determined that the body weight of replacement heifers, from the age of eight months, exceeded the requirements of the breed standard. In particular, the body weight of 8-month-old heifers was higher than the standard by 5.0 – 10.2 kg or 2.4 – 4.9%, at the age of 9 months it was higher by 11.0 – 15.7 kg or 4.8 – 6 .9%, at the age of 11 months it was higher by 30.2 – 33.0 kg or 11.4 – 12.4%. The variability and level of body structure indices in the age dynamics of experimental animals of the Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed proved the positive dynamics of the formation of the exterior in the direction of the dairy type. Thus, the obtained results proved the expediency of using corn and sorghum silage in the technology of rearing replacement heifers.

Manure injection effects on soil nitrate, carbon mineralization, and POXC dynamics and spatial distribution under corn silage

Manure injection effects on soil nitrate, carbon mineralization, and POXC dynamics and spatial distribution under corn silage

Nutritional Value and Chemical Composition of Corn Silage Depending on Cutting Height and Forage Losses

The study presents the effect of cutting height (10, 15 and 30 cm) on yield, nutritional value and chemical composition of silage corn. The experiment was carried out under dryland conditions and the silage corn was harvested with three types of self-propelled silage harvesters. Cutting height increased linearly with increasing operating speed of silage harvesters. For all types of silage harvesters, the cutting height of 30 cm had a statistically significant (p≤0.05) effect on losses of yields. The numerical value of the R2 factor (from R2 = 0.8978 to 0.9896) shows a strong dependence in all harvesters for all three cutting heights. The regression coefficients (b) show a significant deviation from the theoretical cutting height at 10 and 15 cm (b = 0.6676 and b = 0.6715), and very significant (b = 2.0249) at the theoretical cutting height of 30 cm. With an increase in cutting height, the nutritional value of silage increased. At a cutting height of 30 cm, during the test period in all types of harvesters, the crude protein (CP) content was significantly (p≤0.05) higher than at a cutting height of 10 cm (harvester C = 6.94% at 10 cm, harvester B = 8.15% at 30 cm). The cutting height of 30 cm influenced a significantly (p≤0.05) lower crude fiber (CF) content of harvester Claas Jaguar 850 (21.19%), compared to John Deere 6810 (24.33%) at a height of 10 cm. The crude ash content (CAsh) did not vary significantly under the influence of cutting height. Starch content was statistically higher (p≤0.05) in all types of silage harvesters during the test at a cutting height of 30 cm (28.2% harvester New Holland FX 28, 33.8% harvester Claas Jaguar 850). The content of calcium (Ca) was significantly higher at a height of 30 cm for harvesters John Deere 6810 and Claas Jaguar 850 in the third year, while no significant difference was found for harvester New Holland FX 28. For phosphorus (P), there was no significant difference depending on the cutting height, but it did exist depending on the year.

Study of the efficiency of the transport support of forage harvesters when harvesting corn for silage in the conditions forest-steppe zone

In the article, the authors presented methodological approaches and the results of a study of harvesting corn for silage. It has been established that the actual performance of high-performance forage harvesters during harvesting is significantly lower than the ideal one. The main problems were identified - the partial or complete lack of positioning, monitoring and logistics means of vehicles involved in the maintenance of forage harvesters, which leads to downtime and additional costs. Increasing the efficiency of all links of the harvesting and transport process can be achieved by using positioning to lay rational routes for moving machines on the field using the multi-link tractor and road trains. Furthermore, forecasting places and times to replace a vehicle for loading can reduce combined harvester downtime by up to 30% and increase vehicle productivity by 25% due to reduced idle runs across the field.

Evaluation of sweet orange essential oil on fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage

Evaluation of sweet orange essential oil on fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage

Substituição de virginiamicina por produtos à base de levadura (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) em dietas de bovinos: Digestibilidade e parâmetros ruminais

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of substituting virginiamycin with yeastbased products in high-energy diets containing monensin on the nutrient digestibility and ruminal parameters of cattle. Five crossbred Nellore × Holstein steers (initial body weight 281 kg ± 9.2 kg) were allotted to a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The diets were composed in dry matter basis of corn silage (355 g kg-1), and concentrate composed of ground corn, soybean meal, soybean hulls,mineral mix, limestone, salt and urea (645 g kg-1). The treatments were: 1 - control, 18 mg kg-1 dry matter (DM) virginiamycin (VM); 2 - enriched yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 7 g animal day-1 (EYC 7); 3 - enriched yeast culture (S. cerevisiae) at 14 g animal day-1 (EYC 14); 4 - autolyzed yeast (S. cerevisiae) at 7 g animal day-1 (AY 7); and 5 - autolyzed yeast (S. cerevisiae) at 14 g animal day-1 (AY 14). Monensin (18 mg kg-1 DM) was added to the mineral mix in all treatments. No significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) were found for DM intake (mean 8.36 kg DM), organic matter (OM) digestibility (average of 58.39%), or mean ruminal pH (mean 6.75) among treatments. Moreover, the treatment did not have a significant effect on the short-chain fatty acid or ammonia nitrogen concentrations. These results indicated the possibility of replacing virginiamycin with yeast-based products at the lowest level (7 g of enriched yeast culture or autolyzed yeast per animal day-1) in high-energy diets containing monensin.

Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Bermudagrass and Calf Performance and Physiology

Effects of Supplementing Corn Silage to Fall-Calving Heifers and Cows Grazing Bermudagrass and Calf Performance and Physiology

Effects of two types of Coccomyxa sp. KJ on in vitro ruminal fermentation, methane production, and the rumen microbiota.

Coccomyxa sp. KJ is a unicellular green microalga that accumulates abundant lipids when cultured under nitrogen-deficient conditions (KJ1) and high nitrogen levels when cultured under nitrogen-sufficient conditions (KJ2). Considering the different characteristics between KJ1 and KJ2, they are expected to have different effects on rumen fermentation. This study aimed to determine the effects of KJ1 and KJ2 on in vitro ruminal fermentation, digestibility, CH4 production, and the ruminal microbiome as corn silage substrate condition. Five treatments were evaluated: substrate only (CON) and CON + 0.5% dry matter (DM) KJ1 (KJ1_L), 1.0% DM KJ1 (KJ1_H), 0.5% DM KJ2 (KJ2_L), and 1.0% DM KJ2 (KJ2_H). DM degradability-adjusted CH4 production was inhibited by 48.4 and 40.8% in KJ2_L and KJ2_H, respectively, compared with CON. The proportion of propionate was higher in the KJ1 treatments than the CON treatment and showed further increases in the KJ2 treatments. The abundances of Megasphaera, Succiniclasticum, Selenomonas, and Ruminobacter, which are related to propionate production, were higher in KJ2_H than in CON. The results suggested that the rumen microbiome was modified by the addition of 0.5-1.0% DM KJ1 and KJ2, resulting in increased propionate and reduced CH4 production. In particular, the KJ2 treatments inhibited ruminal CH4 production more than the KJ1 treatments. These findings provide important information for inhibiting ruminal CH4 emissions, which is essential for increasing animal productivity and sustaining livestock production under future population growth.