Silage Treatments Research Articles

Growth Performance and Feed Utilization Efficiency of Rahmani Lambs Fed Some Legume and / or Grass Silages

ABSTRACTThis work was carried out on growing Rahmani lambs to investigate the effect of using silage made from some legume and/or grasses on growth performance as well as some rumen and blood parameters. Thirty lambs divided into 5 groups (6 animals each) were fed ad libitum on Cowpea (CW), Millet×Napier grass hybrid (MN), Cowpea - Millet× Napier grass hybrid (CW-MN), Sesbania sesban (SS) and Sesbania-Millet× Napier grass hybrid (SS-MN) in five experimental treatments. Concentrate feed mixture (CFM) was offered with experimental groups to cover 1% of body weight. The feeding trial lasted 112 days. Three lambs of each group were involved in digestion trial to evaluate the feeding values of the tested diets. Results showed that, DM, CP and EE were higher and NFE was lower in SS and CW than MN. The highest OM content was recorded with SS (90.50%) while, CW recorded the lowest value (86.60%). The digestion coefficients of OM, CF and CP of mixture silage (CW-MN) and (SS-MN) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other silage groups (CW, MN and SS). The same trend was observed also with DM, EE and NFE digestibility. Thus, the TDN values of both of CW and MN were significantly lower compared with their mixture silage (CW-MN). Similarly, the TDN value of SS-MN mixture silage was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those in SS and MN single silages. The highest value of DCP was recorded with SS (14.95) followed by CW (14.19), SS-MN (12.74) and CW-MN (11.84) and the lowest with MN (7.01) where all differences were significant. The daily feed intake tended to increase with SS-MN group (69.0g/ kgW0.75) and CW-MN group (68.56g/kgW0.75) compared with the other silage groups. The highest value of water consumption was recorded with SS group whereas, CW-MN group recorded the lowest value. The effect of legume or grass silage and their mixtures on some rumen parameters were significant. Whereas, the effect of silage treatments on most blood parameters were not significant.As for growth rate, the highest value was recorded with group SS-MN (137g) followed by CW-MN (133g), SS (124g) and CW (120g) and finally MN that recorded the lowest value (115g). The differences among groups were significant. The same positive effect of mixtures silage was observed also with feed utilization efficiency based on DM and TDN. Accordingly, it could be recommended to using mixtures silage such as SS-MN and CW-MN in growing sheep rations owing to their positive effect on growth performance.

Óxido de cálcio e Lactobacillus buchneri NCIMB 40788 na ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar in natura ou queimada

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de óxido de cálcio (CaO) e/ou L. buchneri (LB) sobre as perdas e alterações químicas de silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura ou queimada. Foram avaliadas silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura ou queimada produzidas sem aditivo; com Lactobacillus buchneri; com óxido de cálcio equivalente 1% da matéria natural; ou com a associação do L. buchneri e do óxido de cálcio. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial (2 × 4), considerando fatores a queima (presença ou ausência) e o uso de aditivos (L. buchneri, óxido de cálcio e sua associação), cada um avaliado com três repetições. O óxido de cálcio foi mais eficiente em reduzir a variação no teor de matéria seca tanto nas silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura quanto na queimada. Nas silagens de cana-de-açúcar sem aditivos, maiores recuperações de matéria seca foram observadas quando a ensilagem foi feita com cana in natura (63,5%) em comparação à cana queimada (46,8%). Todavia, quando utilizados aditivos, não houve diferenças entre as silagens de cana-de-açúcar in natura e queimada. A presença de óxido de cálcio foi o fator que promoveu maior diferença entre as silagens. O óxido de cálcio é eficiente em reduzir as perdas e as alterações químicas na ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar, tanto in natura quanto queimada. O L. buchneri atua eficientemente em silagens de cana-de-açúcar queimada. Silagens de cana-de-açúcar queimada são mais propensas às perdas que as de cana-de-açúcar in natura.

Effect of reduced ferulate-mediated lignin/arabinoxylan cross-linking in corn silage on feed intake, digestibility, and milk production

Cross-linking of lignin to arabinoxylan by ferulates limits in vitro rumen digestibility of grass cell walls. The effect of ferulate cross-linking on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and in vivo digestibility was investigated in ad libitum and restricted-intake digestion trials with lambs, and in a dairy cow performance trial using the low-ferulate sfe corn mutant. Silages of 5 inbred corn lines were fed: W23, 2 W23sfe lines (M04-4 and M04-21), B73, and B73bm3. As expected, the W23sfe silages contained fewer ferulate ether cross-links and B73bm3 silage had a lower lignin concentration than the respective genetic controls. Silages were fed as the sole ingredient to 4 lambs per silage treatment. Lambs were confined to metabolism crates and fed ad libitum for a 12-d adaptation period followed by a 5-d collection period of feed refusals and feces. Immediately following the ad libitum feeding trial, silage offered was limited to 2% of body weight. After a 2-d adaptation to restricted feeding, feed refusals and feces were collected for 5 d. Seventy Holstein cows were blocked by lactation, days in milk, body weight, and milk production and assigned to total mixed ration diets based on the 5 corn silages. Diets were fed for 28 d and data were collected on weekly DMI and milk production and composition. Fecal grab samples were collected during the last week of the lactation trial for estimation of feed digestibility using acid-insoluble ash as a marker. Silage, total mixed ration, feed refusals, and fecal samples were analyzed for crude protein, starch, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), cell wall polysaccharides, and lignin. The W23sfe silages resulted in lower DMI in the ad libitum trial than the W23 silage, but DMI did not differ in the restricted trial. No differences were observed for NDF or cell wall polysaccharide digestibility by lambs with restricted feeding, but the amount of NDF digested daily increased for lambs fed the M04-21 W23sfe silage ad libitum. Lambs were less selective against NDF and lignin when offered W23sfe silages. The B73bm3 silage did not affect DMI or digestibility of cell walls at the restricted feeding level, but total daily NDF digested was greater at ad libitum intake. Intake, milk production, and cell wall digestibility were greater for cows fed diets containing W23sfe silages than for those fed W23 silage. Although milk production was greater for the B73bm3 diet, DMI and cell wall digestibility were not altered. Cows were less selective against cell wall material when fed both W23sfe and B73bm3 silages. Reduced ferulate cross-linking in sfe corn silage is a new genetic mechanism for improving milk production.

Effects of chemical additives and ensiling time on whole plant wheat silage microbial profiles inferred by phenotypic and 16S ribosomal DNA analyses

The objectives of this study were to test the effects of various chemical additives, and ensiling time periods on microbial profiles of whole plant wheat silage (WPWS). WPWS was harvested at dough maturation stage, and ensiled with sodium chloride (T), sodium bicarbonate (N), sucrose (S), or urea (U) at 1% dry matter (DM) (w/w). Each WPWS treatment (i.e. T, N, S, and U) was ensiled in 1dm(3) duplicate anaerobic jars for 7, 14, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56days. The highest lactic acid concentration was detected for U (5.9% DM) compared to the control (0.5% DM) at day 56. Similarly, the highest ammonia concentration was observed for U (9.3% DM) compared to the control; T, N, and S treatments averaged 2.4% DM. A higher lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count was observed between days 14 and 56 for all treatments relative to control WPWS, which averaged 6.7 and 5.6 c.f.u./g of fresh material, respectively. The highest quality silage was observed for N and U treated WPWS, with an absence of yeasts and molds from days 7 to 49. Identification of bacterial isolates at days 7 and 56 from each individual silage treatment was performed based on phenotypic (biochemical tests), and molecular (16S rDNA partial gene sequence) methods. 16S rDNA sequence results identified U7 and N56 isolates as Enterococcus faecium, and demonstrated positive galactose, ribose, lactose, maltose, mannitol, mannose, sucrose, and trehalose fermenting characteristics. In addition, most isolates exhibited growth potential in 6.5% NaCl. Overall sequence alignment results supported phenotypic identification, and indicated that U and N treated WPWS were LAB (Enterococcus) dominant compared to the control (non-LAB).

Fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of the perirenal fat of bulls fattened on grass silage and maize silage supplemented with tannins, garlic, maca and lupines

Carcass fat composition of cattle fed a forage-based diet might be inferior with maize silage compared to grass-silage based systems. This was quantified using complete diets with concentrate. To test whether supplements may influence carcass fat properties as well, the maize-silage diet was additionally supplemented either with Acacia mearnsii tannins, garlic, maca or lupines, feeds rich in secondary metabolites. The perirenal fat of 6 × 6 bulls fed these six diets was analysed for fatty acid profile and shelf life. The n−6/ n−3 ratio was always higher than 11 with the maize silage treatments and 2 with grass silage. The supplements did not affect the occurrence of biohydrogenation intermediates, including rumenic acid. Shelf life, being twice as long with maize compared to grass silage, was either unaffected or tended to be impaired, especially with supplementary garlic. Overall, supplementation was not efficient in improving carcass fat properties of maize-silage fed bulls.

Ensiling – Wet-storage method for lignocellulosic biomass for bioethanol production

Ensiling of humid biomass samples wrapped in plastic bales has been investigated as a wet-storage for bioethanol production from three lignocellulosic biomass samples i.e. maize, rye, and clover grass. During the silage process, lactic acid bacteria fermented free sugars to lactic acid, and consequently by lowing pH, inhibiting other microbes to degrade the polysaccharides. Following silage treatment, enzymatic convertibility tests showed that 51.5%, 36.5%, and 41.9% of the cellulose was converted by cellulytic enzymes in ensiled maize, rye, and clover grass, respectively. In addition, tests of SSF (simultaneous saccharification and fermentation) were carried out using combined enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with two different microorganisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces marxianus. The ethanol production was 33.0%, 27.5%, 36.9% (by K. marxianus) and 29.0%, 28.1%, 34.5% (by S. cerevisiae); the yields significantly increased after hydrothermal pretreatment: 77.7%, 72.8%, 79.5% (by K. marxianus) and 72.0%, 80.7%, 75.7% (by S. cerevisiae) of the theoretical based on the C6 sugar contents in maize, rye, and clover grass, respectively.

Feeding Moringa oleifera fresh or ensiled to dairy cows—effects on milk yield and milk flavor

Moringa oleifera, either fresh or ensiled, was compared with Elephant grass as a main feedstuff for dairy cows. To test the effects feed had on milk yield, milk composition, ration digestibility, and the organoleptic characteristics of milk, six lactating dairy cows were used in a Changeover 3 × 3 Latin Square experiment, replicated twice. With equal intake of metabolizable energy the intake of protein and fiber differed (p < 0.001) between all diets where fresh Moringa had the highest and the Elephant grass diet had the lowest intake. Compared with the control diet, ensiled Moringa had higher digestibility (P < 0.05) of both protein and fiber. With the exception of DM digestibility, no digestibility differences were found between fresh Moringa and Moringa silage treatments. Milk yield did not differ between any of the treatments and averaged 13.7kg cowday(-1). Milk composition was similar among all treatments. Milk from the fresh Moringa treatment, however, had a grassy flavor and aroma, significantly different from the other two treatments, even though it was normal in color and appearance. No organoleptic differences were found between milk from the control treatment and the Moringa silage treatment. The conclusion is that Moringa silage can be fed to dairy cows in large quantities to produce the same quantity and quality of milk as traditional diets.

Economic Favorability of Feeding Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles and Round-Bale Silage to Stocker Cattle

It is common for stocker operators to buy calves in the spring and sell them as feeder cattle in the fall. Economic favorability of various stocker systems based on animal response is largely untested. A systems grazing study was conducted to compare net returns of 2 different forage management practices with a control. A spring group and a fall group of steers were stocked in each of 3 treatments for 2 yr. All 3 treatments [control, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and silage] were rotationally stocked with equivalent stocking density and number of paddocks. The control treatment was rotationally stocked only, with no additional feed or forage management. The DDGS treatment was the same as the control treatment except that DDGS was fed to steers based on forage nutritive value. The silage treatment had excess spring-produced forage removed, stored, and fed back to steers as roundbale silage. Both the DDGS and silage treatments had positive returns above the control for both the spring and fall groups. The spring group returned US $0.18 and $0.08 per steer/d above the control group for the silage and DDGS treatments, respectively. The fall silage group returned US $0.28 per steer/d above the control group, whereas the DDGS group returned US $0.49 per steer/d above the control. In each case, and based on a range of costs associated with the silage and DDGS treatments, it is economically beneficial to increase management above rotationally stocking only of stocker cattle from spring to fall.

Performance of Finishing Steers on Corn Silage or Forage Sorghum Silage with Corn Oil Supplementation1

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2> Thirty-two crossbred Angus steers (initial BW 524.9±63.3kg; age 24 mo) were fed a free-choice TMR consisting of 55% corn silage or low-grain sorghum silage and 45% concentrate mix [88.1% ground corn, 10% soybean meal, 1.9% mineral-Rumensin-vitamin premix (Rumensin, Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN)] on a DM basis, without and with corn oil (7% of DMI). A low-grain forage sorghum silage was compared with a high-grain corn silage. Steers were ranked by BW, randomly assigned to dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement, and individually fed with Calan gates (American Calan Inc., Northwood, NH) for 78 d. Steers were implanted with Component TE-IS (trenbolone acetate, estradiol, tylosin tartrate, Ivy Animal Health, Shawnee Mission, KS) on d 1, and initial and final BW were means of 2 consecutive daily unshrunk BW. Steers were slaughtered and USDA QG were determined in a commercial abattoir at the conclusion of the experiment. Rib sections and subcutaneous fat samples were retained for fatty acid analysis. Steer 78-d ADG exhibited a silage×treatment interaction (P<0.05) in which the addition of corn oil depressed ADG for steers fed corn silage but increased ADG for steers fed sorghum silage. Steer DMI was higher for sorghum silage diets than corn silage diets (25.99 vs. 22.10kg; P<0.05); however, DMI was not affected (P>0.10) by corn oil supplementation. Despite increased DMI for steers receiving the sorghum silage treatments, 78-d ADG was higher (P<0.05) for steers receiving the corn silage treatments (ADG: sorghum silage=1.41kg vs. corn silage=1.75kg). Corn oil supplementation had no effect (P>0.10) on concentrations of the conjugated linoleic acid isomer cis-9, trans-11 in longissimus dorsi or subcutaneous fat samples. Steers fed corn oil had greater (P<0.05) concentrations of the conjugated linoleic acid isomer trans-10, cis-12 in subcutaneous tissue. Carcass traits were unaffected (P>0.10) by treatments, except for QG (12=US Choice-), which was greater for sorghum silage than corn silage. Corn oil supplementation had no effect (P>0.10) on the YG, QG, or hot carcass weight of steers. Corn oil supplementation had no effect on steer performance or on conjugated linoleic acid isomer concentrations.

부산물 혼합 Silage 급여가 거세 한우의 채식 및 반추행동에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 부산물 혼합 silage 사료 급여가 한우 비육전기 거세우의 채식 및 반추행동에 미치는 영향을 규명하기 위하여 실시하였다. 시험에 사용한 공시한우는 21개월령 총 12두를 3처리로 배치하였으며, 이 때 처리구는 관행구 (C구: 농후사료+ 볏짚 자유채식)와 부산물 혼합 silage 구를 2처리 (T1: 농후사료+부산물 혼합 silage 제한급여 (1 kg) + 볏짚 자유채식, T2: 농후사료+부산물 혼합 silage 자유채식)로 하여 48시간 행동관찰을 실시하였다. 총 건물 섭취량은 T1 > C > T2구 순으로 나타났으나 상호간 유의적 차이는 없었다. 채식시간과 저작시간은 C구가 다른 구에 비하여 유의적으로 높게 나타났다 (p<0.05). 반추시간과 휴식시간은 처리구들 사이에 유의적 차이를 보이지 않았으며, 식괴수, 총저작수 및 식괴 당 저작수에 있어서도 같은 경향을 보였다. 그러나 식괴 당 반추시간과 FVI (feed value index)는 C구가 T1 및 T2구에 비하여 유의적으로 높게 나타났다 (p<0.01, 0.05). 분 당 식괴수는 T1구에서 높게 나타났으며 (p<0.01), 음수 회수는 T2구에서 유의적으로 높게 나타났다 (p<0.05). 배분 및 배뇨 회수에 있어서는 처리구들 간에 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 채식율에 있어서는 T2구가 다른 구에 비하여 유의적으로 높게 나타났으나 (p<0.05), 반추효율 및 저작효율에 있어서는 처리구들 사이에 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때, 부산물 혼합 silage는 볏짚과 비교시 반추행동상 큰 문제가 없기 때문에 차후 볏짚 대용으로 활용가치가 높을 것으로 사료된다. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of by-product mixing silage feeding on the eating and ruminating behavior of fattening Hanwoo steer. A total of 12 Hanwoo steers (21 months old) were divided into three feeding groups and assigned to 3 dietary treatments: control (C: concentrate + ad libitum feeding of rice straw), and by-product mixing silage groups (T1: concentrate + 1 kg restricted feeding of by-product mixing silage + ad libitum feeding of rice straw, T2: concentrate + ad libitum feeding of by-product mixing silage). Eating behaviors were observed for 48 hours. Total feed intake was high in the order of T1 > C > T2, but not significantly different among the treatments. The eating and chewing time were significantly higher in C than by-product mixing silage treatments (P<0.05). Ruminating and resting time were not significantly different among the treatments. Number of bolus, number of total chews and number of chews per bolus were not significantly different among the treatments. But ruminating time per bolus and FVI (feed value index) were significantly higher in C than T1 and T2 (p<0,01, 0.05). Bolus per minute was the highest in T1 (p<0.01). Number of drinking was significantly higher in T2 than C and T1 (p<0.05), but defecating and urinating were not significantly difference among the treatments. Eating rate was the highest in T2 (p<0.05), but ruminating and chewing efficiency were not significantly difference among the treatments. Consequently, there was no big difference on eating behavior when feed by-product silage comparing with rice straw. Therefore, it is thought that by-product mixing silage could be the alternative for the rice straw.

Competition, activity budget and feed intake of ewes when reducing the feeding space

Even if ruminants are fed roughage ad libitum, reducing the number of feeding places may have negative effects on both feed intake and behaviour. The aim of this experiment was to investigate effects of reduced feeding space on competition, activity budget and feed intake of ewes fed ad libitum on two types of roughages. A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted with number of animals per feeding place (1:1, 2:1 or 3:1) and type of roughage (grass silage or hay) as main factors. A total of 48 pregnant, adult ewes of the Dala breed were randomly divided into eight groups of six animals; four of these groups were fed grass silage whereas the other four groups were fed hay. The ewes were video recorded for 24 h at the end of each experimental period, and the activities such as feeding, queuing and resting of each ewe were scored using 10-min instantaneous scan sampling. Displacements from the feed barrier were scored continuously for the first 10 min of every hour. Daily intake of silage was not affected by reducing the feeding space from 1:1 to 1:3, but for ewes fed on hay, the daily intake was significantly reduced by 6.8% ( P < 0.05). However, time spent eating hay was significantly longer than time spent eating silage ( P < 0.05). Irrespectively of type of roughage, time spent eating was significantly reduced ( P < 0.0001) whereas CV for eating was increased ( P < 0.05) when feeding space was reduced. Overall, the competition level was higher when the ewes were fed on hay than on silage (queuing: P < 0.01; displacements: P < 0.01). In the hay treatment, the time spent queuing increased from 0.3% in the 1:1 treatment to 5.3% in the 3:1 treatment, but this was not significant in the silage treatment ( P < 0.001). Number of displacements was low at one ewe per feeding place, but increased significantly when feeding space was reduced in the hay treatment ( P < 0.01). In conclusion, the ewes competed more for access to feed in the hay than in the silage treatment, and increased competition with reduced feeding space was only found when the ewes were fed on hay. Similar results were found concerning feed intake. Thus, the effects of reduced feeding space are likely to depend on the type of roughage used.

Effects of length of cut and mechanical processing on utilization of corn silage harvested at the black line stage of maturity by lactating dairy cows

The effects of length of cut and mechanical processing on corn silage utilization by dairy cows were evaluated. Corn silage treatments were harvested at the black line stage of maturity and chopped at a theoretical length (TLC) of 9.5 mm without processing (Control) or at a TLC of 19 mm with processing at roller clearances of 1, 3, or 5 mm. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were assigned in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-day periods. Corn silage treatments were fed in diets containing 78.3% corn silage and 21.7% soybean meal (DM basis). Treatments had no significant effects on DMI, milk and 4% FCM production. The efficiency of converting DMI to FCM tended to be greater with processing at a roller clearance of 1 and 3 mm than at other clearances. Apparent total tract digestibility of starch tended to be lowest for cows fed control silage, and increased as roller clearance decreased. Ruminal ammonia concentrations in cows fed control silage were numerically higher than in cows fed proccesed silages. These results suggest that when corn silage is harvested at the black line of maturity, roller clearance should be 3 mm or less with a TLC of 19 mm.

Effects of mixtures of red clover and maize silages on the partitioning of dietary nitrogen between milk and urine by dairy cows

Eight multiparous lactating Holstein–Friesian cows were used to evaluate the partitioning of dietary nitrogen (N) from diets based on mixtures of red clover and maize silages in comparison with diets based on ryegrass silage. All cows received 4 kg/day of a standard dairy concentrate with one of four forage treatments in an incomplete changeover design with three 4-week periods. Three treatments were based on mixtures of red clover and maize silage. N intake was altered both by varying the ratio of these silages (40/60 and 25/75 on a dry matter (DM) basis) and by an additional treatment for which the DM intake of the 40/60 mixture was restricted to the level achieved with grass silage. Rumen passage rates were estimated from faecal excretion curves following a pulse oral dose of Dysprosium-labeled silage and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was used as an index of rumen microbial protein synthesis. Red clover silage mixtures led to significantly increased feed intake (21.5, 20.7 and 15.2 kg DM/day for 40/60 and 25/75 red clover/maize silage mixtures and grass silage, respectively), milk production (25.8, 27.8 and 20.0 kg/day for the same treatments, respectively) and milk component yields, but were without effect on milk fat and protein concentrations. The large increase in the yield of milk (24.5 kg/day) and milk components for the restricted red clover/maize silage treatment, in comparison with the grass silage treatment, was proportionately greater than the increase in DM intake (16.6 kg DM/day). There were no significant treatment effects on diet digestibility, while the higher intakes of red clover silage mixtures were associated with higher rumen passage rates (5.82%, 6.24% and 4.55%/h, respectively). There were significant effects of both N intake and forage source on the partitioning of dietary N between milk and urine. When dietary protein was diluted by the inclusion of maize silage, red clover silage led to increased milk N and reduced urinary N in comparison with grass silage. Improvements in N utilisation may be related to increased dietary starch and/or rumen passage rates leading to increased microbial protein synthesis for these treatments. Urinary excretion of PD was significantly higher for all diets based on mixtures of red clover and maize silages, in comparison with grass silage. Urinary N output was close to literature predictions based on N intake for the diet based on ryegrass silage, but 40 to 80 g/day (25% to 30%) less than predicted for the diets based on the mixtures of red clover and maize silages.

동계사료작물 사일리지를 첨가한 TMR 급여가 흑염소의 사료섭취량, 영양소 소화율 및 혈액성상에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 동계사료작물 사일리지를 첨가한 TMR을 급여하였을 때, 흑염소의 사료 섭취량, 일당 증체량, 영양소 소화율 및 질소 축적율에 미치는 영향을 조사하여 흑염소에 대한 동계사료작물의 사료가치 평가의 자료로 이용하고자 실시하였다. 공시가축은 흑염소 12두(♂)를 4처리구(T1: 청보리 사일리지 첨가구, T2: 유채사일리지 첨가구, T3: 호밀 사일리지 첨가구 및 T4: 이탈리안 라이그라스 사일리지 첨가구)로 나누어 처리구당 3두씩 개체별 대사케이지 에 라틴방각법으로 실시하였으며 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 1일 두당 건물, 유기물 및 조단백질 섭취량은 유채 사일리지 첨가구가 가장 높았고, 청보리 사일리지 첨가구가 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). 조단백질 및 ADF 가소화 섭취량 또한 유채 사일리지 첨가구가 가장 높았다(p<0.05). 1일 증체량은 유채 사일리지 첨가구, 호밀 사일리지 첨가구 및 이탈리안 라이그라스 사일리지 첨가구가 청보리 사일리지 첨가구 보다 유의하게 높았다(p<0.05). 건물, 조단백질 및 섬유소 소화율은 청보리 사일리지 첨가구가 가장 높았으며, 유채 사일리지 첨가구가 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). 질소섭취량과 질소축적율은 유채 사일리지 첨가구가 유의하게 높았으며, 청보리 사일리지 첨가구가 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). 이러한 결과를 종합적으로 고려할 때 동계사료작물 중 유채 사일리지 첨가시 사료 섭취량 및 질소 축적율 증가로 인해 흑염소의 생산성이 높은 것으로 나타났다. This study was conducted to determine the feed value of total mixed rations (TMR) containing different winter forage crop silages on feed intakes, daily gain, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen retention in Korean black goats. A total of 12 male goats were used in this study and each goat was housed in individual metabolism crates. The treatments were four diets, consisting of whole crop barley silage (T1), rape silage (T2), rye silage (T3), and Italian ryegrass silage (T4). The experiment was designed as a <TEX>$4{\times}4$</TEX> Latin square arrangement in three replicates. Daily intakes for dietary dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) per head were highest in rape silage treatment, and lowest in whole barley silage (p<0.05). Digestible intakes for CP and acid detergent fiber were highest in rape silage treatment. The daily gain of rape, rye, and Italian ryegrass silages were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of whole crop barley silage. Digestibility of DM. CP, fiber were highest in whole crop barley silage, and lowest in rape silage (p<0.05). Nitrogen (N) intake and N retention were significantly highest in rape silage and lowest in whole crop barley silage (p<0.05). The results showed that, among different winter forage crop silages, rape silage incorporation into TMR had the best performances indicating increases of feed intakes and N retention in Korean black goats.

Comparison of 3 tall fescue-based stocker systems1

A 2-yr production study was conducted to evaluate 3 systems of growing stocker calves under rotational stocking. One group of steers was stocked on pasture from early April to mid August (spring-stocked steers = SSS), and another group of steers was stocked from early July to late October (fall-stocked steers = FSS). Steers were stratified by BW (n = 72, BW = 229 +/- 11 kg for SSS; n = 72, BW = 248 +/- 18 kg for FSS) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. The 3 treatments were 1) rotationally stocked only (control; CON), steers rotated to a new paddock as forage availability dropped below acceptable levels in the occupied paddock; 2) rotationally stocked with distillers grains (DIST); this was the same as CON except steers were supplemented with varying amounts of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) based on forage nutritive value; and 3) rotationally stocked with round-bale silage (SIL); excess forage in spring was harvested and stored as round-bale silage and fed back as needed. Total BW gain/ha over the entire grazing season did not differ between DIST and SIL (P = 0.09) steers, but both were greater than CON (P < 0.01). Total BW gain/ha for DIST, SIL, and CON was 459 (SEM = 11.5), 402 (SEM = 31.0), and 276 (SEM = 26.2) kg, respectively. For ADG, there was a group x year (P < 0.01) and group x treatment (P = 0.02) interaction. Steer ADG for SSS did not differ between SIL and DIST (P = 0.51), but was greater than the CON (P = 0.01). The ADG for SSS was 0.79 (SEM = 0.04), 0.81 (SEM = 0.05), and 0.62 (SEM = 0.05) kg for DIST, SIL, and CON, respectively. For the FSS, ADG for all 3 treatments was different (P = 0.02). The FSS ADG was 0.72 (SEM = 0.03), 0.53 (SEM = 0.04), and 0.29 (SEM = 0.04) kg for DIST, SIL, and CON, respectively. The only treatment with equivalent (P = 0.07) ADG between early and late-stocked steers (SSS vs. FSS) was DIST. Adjusting the amount of DDGS supplemented to steers based on forage nutritive value resulted in consistent BW gains throughout the grazing study, whereas steers in the SIL and CON treatments gained less BW during the latter portion of the season. Controlling forage maturity by removal in the SIL treatment resulted in total BW gains/ha that were not different than the DIST treatment.

Methane emissions, feed intake, and performance of finishing beef cattle offered maize silages harvested at 4 different stages of maturity1

This experiment aimed to quantify the methane emissions and intake, digestibility, performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing beef cattle offered maize (Zea mays) silages harvested at 1 of 4 sequential stages of maturity and to relate these values to those obtained from animals offered an ad libitum concentrate-based diet. Sixty continental crossbred steers with a mean initial BW of 531 kg (SD 23.8) were blocked (n = 12 blocks) according to BW and allocated from within block to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design: maize silage harvested on September 13 (DM = 277 g/kg), maize silage harvested on September 28 (DM = 315 g/kg), maize silage harvested on October 9 (DM = 339 g/kg), maize silage harvested on October 23 (DM = 333 g/kg), and ad libitum concentrates (ALC). Diets based on maize silage were supplemented with 2.57 kg of concentrate DM daily, and ALC diets were supplemented with 1.27 kg of grass silage DM daily. Silage and total DMI were greater (P = 0.004) with maize silage harvested on September 28 than with any other treatment, which in turn did not differ. Advancing maize maturity at harvest did not affect BW or carcass gain, with the ALC diet exhibiting greater (P = 0.036) rates of carcass gain than any of the maize silage-based treatments. Apparent in vivo digestibility, determined using the AIA indigestible marker technique, was not affected by harvest maturity, with no linear or quadratic trends being identified. Digestibility of DM from the ALC diet was greater (P < 0.001) than with any of the maize silage treatments. Starch digestibility did not differ across maize silage maturities; however, a linear (P = 0.009) decrease in NDF digestibility was observed. Methane emissions, (g/d) measured using the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique, were not affected by maize silage maturity. Methane emissions relative to DMI tended (P = 0.05) to decline with advancing maize silage maturity, with a similar decline observed when methane was expressed per kilogram of carcass gain. Advancing maize maturity did not result in significant linear or quadratic responses in methane output proportional to GE intake. The ALC diet resulted in less methane output than the maize silage treatments irrespective of the unit of expression. In conclusion, advancing maize harvest maturity did not affect beef cattle performance but reduced methane output relative to DMI and carcass gain. Cattle offered ALC exhibited greater rates of BW gain and less emission of methane compared with cattle offered any of the maize silage treatments.

Effects of an indigenous and a commercial Lactobacillus buchneri strain on quality of sugar cane silage

AbstractThe aim was to evaluate the effects of adding a novel Lactobacillus buchneri strain and a commercial inoculant on the fermentation and aerobic stability of sugar cane silages (Saccharum spp.). In the first experiment samples were collected from sugar cane silage at 5, 20, 40 and 80 d after ensilage in experimental silos and microorganisms belonging to the Lactobacillus genus were isolated and identified, with a wild strain of L. buchneri, UFLA SIL 72, being selected as an inoculant. In the second experiment sugar cane was inoculated with either the novel bacteria or a commercial inoculant at the moment of ensiling and compared with a control silage prepared without an inoculant. Experimental silos were opened at 0, 3, 10, 30, 60 and 90 d of ensilage and their chemical composition measured. The silages opened after 90 d were also assessed for aerobic stability. The addition of L. buchneri resulted in a higher concentration of acetic acid and reduced populations of yeasts in silage compared to the other silage treatments, and a lower ethanol concentration in the silage. The novel L. buchneri isolate and the commercial inoculant also improved aerobic stability of the sugar cane silages. It was concluded that the addition of the novel inoculants L. buchneri UFLA SIL 72 to sugar cane silage can be recommended.

Parâmetros fermentativos, produção de proteína microbiana, concentrações de ureia no leite e no plasma e balanço de nitrogênio de vacas alimentadas com silagem de milho ou cana-de-açúcar com caroço de algodão

Doze vacas da raça Holandesa foram distribuídas em três quadrados latinos 4 × 4 com o objetivo de avaliar o pH, o N-amoniacal, a produção de proteína microbiana, o número de protozoários no rúmen, a concentração de N-ureia no plasma e no leite e balanço de nitrogênio. Os tratamentos consistiram de silagem de milho ou cana-de-açúcar contendo 0, 7 ou 14% de caroço de algodão. Não houve diferença no pH quando fornecida cana-de-açúcar, apesar da diminuição dos valores após o início da alimentação. Os valores de N-amoniacal mantiveram-se acima de 15 mg/dL, após 6 horas de alimentação, apenas quando fornecida silagem de milho e cana-de-açúcar com 7% de caroço de algodão. O maior consumo de MS e nutrientes obtido com a silagem de milho implicou em menor eficiência de uso do nitrogênio e maiores excreções de N-ureia na urina em relação às demais dietas (150,6 vs 96,0 mg/kg PV). O fornecimento de cana-de-açúcar com 7% de caroço de algodão promoveu maiores quantidades de purinas totais (PT), purinas absorvidas (PA), nitrogênio microbiano (207, 6 vs 185,2 g/dia) e melhor balanço de compostos nitrogenados (31,5 vs 15,5) em relação às demais dietas com cana-de-açúcar. O menor consumo de MS e extrato etéreo quando fornecida cana-de-açúcar sem caroço de algodão resultou em maior número de protozoários (129,4 vs 34,0 × 10³/mL), maior excreção urinária de nitrogênio e menor síntese de proteína microbiana em relação às demais dietas, o que indica falta de sincronização na degradação da energia e proteína na relação volumoso:concentrado proposta neste experimento.

Bermuda Grass Hay or Sorghum Silage with or without Yeast Addition on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Crossbred Young Bulls Finished in Feedlot

This experiment was carried out to evaluate performance and carcass characteristics of 40 crossbred young bulls (ZebuxEuropean) finished in a feedlot under two roughage sources (Bermuda grass hay or sorghum silage) with or without the addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae). The bulls were 20 months old, their initial average weight was 356 kg and they were allocated into four groups of ten animals. The experimental diets were Bermuda grass, Bermuda grass+yeast, sorghum silage and sorghum silage +yeast. Animal performance and carcass characteristics were not influenced by roughage source or yeast addition. The average daily weight gain was 1.50 kg, dry matter intake (DMI) was 11.1 kg/d, DMI as percentage of liveweight was 2.60% and feed dry matter conversion was 7.70. The mean dressing percentage was 52.0% and hot carcass weight was 268 kg. Carcass conformation was classified between good-minus to good. Carcass length (137 cm), leg length (72.9 cm) and cushion thickness (26.6 cm) were not influenced by treatments. The average fat thickness was 3.80 mm and the Longissimus muscle area was 66.9 cm 2 . The classification of color, texture and marbling were slightly dark red to red, fine and slight-minus to light-typical, respectively. The mean percentage of bone, muscle and fat in the carcass was 15.5%, 62.3% and 22.5%, respectively. Yeast addition increased γ-linolenic fatty acid (0.15 vs. 0.11%) deposition. Bermuda grass hay increased deposition of α-linolenic (0.49 vs. 0.41%), arachidonic (2.30 vs. 1.57%), eicosapentaenoic (0.41 vs. 0.29%), docosapentaenoic (0.80 vs. 0.62%), docosahexaenoic (0.11 vs. 0.06%) and n-3 fatty acids, and reduced n-6: n-3 ratio in meat, when compared to sorghum silage treatments. The treatments had no effect on saturated fatty acids (49.5%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (11.8%), n-6 fatty acids (9.87%), n-3 (1.61%) and PUFA:SFA ratio (0.24). Monounsaturated fatty acid levels were higher on sorghum silage (40.7 vs. 37.7%). The addition of yeast caused higher n-6: n-3 ratio (7.28 vs. 5.70) than treatments without yeast.

Desenvolvimento de microrganismos durante a utilização de silagens de grãos úmidos de milho e de espigas de milho sem brácteas

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the microorganism development in both high-moisture corn silage and corn-ears silage after the silos have been opened. The treatments consisted of two kinds of silages (high-moisture corn silage and corn-ears silage) and four periods of sampling after the opening of the silos (0, 2, 4 and 6 days), using a factorial arrangement with a completely randomized design and three replications. Both silage treatments showed little growth of clostridia development, but it was possible to observe a dominance of heterofermentative lactic-acid bacteria. It was also observed that the corn-ears silage allowed the development of molds, enterobacteriaceae, and yeast, after the opening of the silos, when compared to the high-moisture corn silage. No difference in organic acids was observed between the two silages. A large aerobic development of microorganisms was found in both high-moisture corn silage and corn-ears silage characterizing their susceptibility to superficial deterioration. However, the high density achieved during ensiling avoided losses in the deepest layers of the silos.