Silage Type Research Articles

Effects of replacing grass silage with either maize or whole-crop wheat silages on the performance and meat quality of beef cattle offered two levels of concentrates

A randomised design involving 66 continental cross beef steers (initial live weight 523 kg) was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of maize or whole-crop wheat silages in grass silage-based diets on animal performance, carcass composition, and meat quality of beef cattle. Grass silage was offered either as the sole forage or in addition to either maize or whole-crop wheat silages at a ratio of 40:60, on a dry matter (DM) basis, alternative forage: grass silage. For the grass, maize, and whole-crop wheat silages, DM concentrations were 192, 276, and 319 g/kg, ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were 110, 90, and 150 g/kg nitrogen, starch concentrations were not determined, 225, and 209 g/kg DM and in vivo DM digestibilities were 0.69, 0.69, and 0.58; respectively. The forages were offered ad libitum following mixing in a paddle type complete diet mixer wagon once per day, supplemented with either 3 or 5 kg concentrates per steer per day, in two equal feeds, for 92 days. For the grass, grass plus maize and grass plus whole-crop wheat silage-based diets food intakes were 8.38, 9.08, and 9.14 kg DM per day, estimated carcass gains were 514, 602, and 496 g/day and carcass weights were 326, 334, and 325 kg; respectively. Altering the silage component of the diet did not influence carcass composition or meat eating quality. Increasing concentrate feed level tended ( P = 0.09) to increase estimated carcass fat concentration and increased sarcomere length ( P < 0.05), and lean a* ( P < 0.01), b* ( P < 0.05), and chroma ( P < 0.01). There were no significant silage type by concentrate feed level interactions for food intake, steer performance, carcass characteristics or meat eating quality. It is concluded that replacing grass silage with maize silage increased carcass gain, and weight due to higher intakes, and improved utilisation of metabolisable energy. Whilst replacing grass silage with whole-crop wheat silage increased live-weight gain, the reduced dressing proportion resulted in no beneficial effect on carcass gain, probably due to increased food intakes of lower digestible forage increasing gut fill. Meat quality or carcass composition were not altered by the inclusion of maize or whole-crop silages in grass silage based diets.

Bacteriological and chemical changes occurring in Bunker-stored silage covered with biodegradable coating

To evaluate the efficacy of a biodegradable silage coating for the ability to protect timothy (Phleum pratensa) type silage against spoilage and its quality under natural conditions. Triplicate mini-silos of silage were prepared for three treatments (1: uncoated; 2: coated with biodegradable coating and 3: sealed with plastic), two types of storage (unprotected or protected from rain) and 10 sampling times (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 56, 63 and 70 days postensiling). Triplicate mini-silos were opened at each sampling time for microbiological (total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, moulds and yeasts) and biochemical analyses [pH, dry matter (DM), water-soluble sugars (WSC), lactic (LA), acetic, propionic and butyric acids content]. The study showed that at day 70, counts of moulds and yeasts in silages protected against rain and coated with biodegradable coating were 5.98 log CFU g(-1) when compared with 5.92 and 3.62 log CFU g(-1) in samples from plastic-sealed silage and uncoated silage, respectively. The pH was low and stable pH (4.34) when compared with uncoated (7.17) and plastic sealed (8.34) silages (P < or = 0.05). A DM, WSC and LA content of 421.7, 13.4 and 20.9 g kg(-1) was, respectively, observed. For silage stored outdoors, a level of moulds and yeasts of 3.77 log CFU g(-1) of silage was also observed in silages coated with biodegradable coating after 28 days of storage. A stable pH showing a mean value of 4 was also observed. The pH, DM, WSC and LA content were, respectively, 4.18, 341.1, 13.34 and 31.8 g kg(-1) in these samples. After 70 days of storage, the level of moulds and yeasts on silage sealed with biodegradable coating was 7.73 log CFU g(-1). A DM, WSC and LA content of 291.9, 5.56 and 10.0 g kg(-1) was, respectively, observed. When compared with uncoated silage, the application of biodegradable coating can preserve the quality of silage for up to a month when exposed to rain and up to 70 days when protected from rain. Results emphasize the possibility of the use of a biodegradable coating as an alternative to plastic film for sealing horizontal bunker silos.

Effect of silage type and concentrate level on conjugated linoleic acids, trans-C18:1 isomers and fat content in milk from dairy cows

The objective of the study was to examine how the fatty acid composition of milk especially concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and trans-C18:1 isomers and milk fat percentage were affected by silage type and concentrate level. Forty dairy cows were blocked and randomly assigned to one of four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments and a six week experimental period. Treatments were total mixed rations with maize (M) or grass (G) silage differing in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile and starch content, combined with a high (H) or a low (L) level of concentrate (with or without grain). Treatments had no significant effect on milk, protein and lactose yield, but energy corrected milk yield, milk fat percentage and fat yield was lower and protein percentage higher for maize compared with grass silage diets. Overall, maize silage diets resulted in higher concentrations of CLA isomers compared with grass silage diets, but there was a significant interaction between silage type and concentrate level for concentrations of cis9,trans11-CLA; trans10,cis12-CLA; trans11-C18:1 and trans10-C18:1. A high level of concentrate increased trans10,cis12-CLA and trans10-C18:1 and reduced cis9,trans11-CLA and trans11-C18:1 when maize but not grass silage was provided. The results suggest that high levels of concentrate (grain) do not significantly alter the pattern of PUFA biohydrogenation in the rumen, the concentration of CLA and trans-C18:1 isomers in milk or cause milk fat depression unless combined with forage naturally high in starch and C18:2n-6 such as maize silage.

볏짚 Silage 발효를 위한 효모의 첨가 효과

볏짚의 silage의 발효를 위하여 기질의 물리, 화학적 특성을 고려한 효모 3종 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen, Humicola grisea var. thermoidea, Candida glabrata)을 각각 접종한 구와 무처리 대조구를 포함하여 총 4 처리구를 두고, silage 저장기간별(1, 3, 6, 9, 15, 20일) pH와 조단백질함량 변화, 총 균수 및 균주의 군집상황을 전자현미경으로 조사한 결과는 다음과 같다.Silage의 pH 변화는 무처리구에서는 발효 전 기간동안 약 5.47~5.67 범위로서 전혀 변화가 없었으나 효모 첨가구에서는 발효 6일째부터 약 4.3대로 크게 떨어진 이후, 발효 20일까지 계속 유지되었다. Silage의 조단백질 함량은 무처리구의 경우, 전 기간 동안 일정하였으나 효모 처리구는 발효 6일째부터 증가하기 시작하였는데, 발효 15일째를 기준으로 효모처리구가 대조구에 비해 약 38~41% 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 단백질 함량의 증가는 발효가 진행됨에 따라 효모 처리구에서 SCP가 다량 합성되었기 때문이라는 것을 생균수 측정과 전자현미경 사진 관찰을 통하여 확인하였다.본 시험에서 사용된 효모 Saccharomyces cer- evisiae Hansen과 Candida glabrata는 볏짚 silage 발효 균주로서 유용하게 활용될 수 있음을 알 수 있었다. Three species of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Humicola grisea and Candida glabrata were assumed as microbial inoculants for fermentation of rice straw silage. Four types of silage innoculated with three yeasts including control (non-treatment) were opened on day 1, 3, 6, 9, 15 and 20 after ensiling, and analyzed for fermentation status (pH, crude protein, microbial counts) and the microbial population attached with silage texture using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The results obtained were summarized as fallow; The pH of silage juice was decreased to 4.3 after 6th day of fermentation in the treatments innoculated with yeast, but was not changed at the ranges of 5.47 to 5.67 in control. Crude protein concentration of silage was increased by 38～41% with yeast inoculation compared to control. From SEM observation, it could be confirmed that crude protein concentration of silage was increased by microbial growth and SCP synthesis. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida glabrata could be used as useful fermenters of rice straw silage.

Effects on Performance of Sulla and/or Maize Silages Supplements for Grazing Dairy Cow

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of either maize or sulla silage supplementation to grazing dairy cows in summer. Forage mixtures used in the four week trial were based on previous experimental results but inclusion of rumen fistulated cows in five treatments enabled rumen sampling and use of in sacco incubations to determine the diet effects on digestion kinetics. Sulla and maize silages were used to supplement pasture and to meet minimum requirements for dietary protein concentration. Five groups often cows were grazed on a restricted daily allowance of 18 kg dry matter (DM) pasture/cow to simulate a summer pasture deficit, and four of these five groups received an additional 6 kg DM cow -1 d -1 of silage (sulla, maize, or sulla and maize silages). A sixth group was given a relatively unrestricted (38 kg DM cow -1 d -1 ) pasture allowance. The silage mixtures and pasture were incubated in sacco during the final week of the trial. The pasture was of high nutritive value and not typical of usual summer conditions, which favoured a response to quantity rather than quality of silage supplements. There was no difference in cow performance with the four silage supplements and the low milk solids (MS) production (about 1.0 kg MS d -1 ) relative to full pasture (1.3 kg MS d -1 ) showed the principal limitation to performance was dry matter intake. Milk composition was not affected by silage type and the low level of pasture substitution (0.29) suggested metabolizable energy (ME) was the principal limitation to performance. Samples of rumen liquor and in sacco data demonstrated significant effects of supplement; DM degradation rates (k) was highest (0.084 h-') when cows were fed 6 kg sulla silage whereas diets with a high proportion of maize silage were slowly degraded (p<0.01).

Recovery of carotenoids from ensilaged shrimp waste

A method for fermentation of shrimp waste was standardized using a statistically designed experiment, with respect to three variables namely, levels of glucose and starter culture and time of fermentation. The optimized levels for achieving the desired pH was 20.5% glucose, 19.5 × 10 4 cells/g of starter culture and fermentation time of 70 h. Recovery of carotenoids from fermented and acid ensiled shrimp waste was assessed during 75 days of storage. Acid ensilaging resulted in the reduction of solvent extraction yield of carotenoids from 43.09 to 26.76 μg/g by the end of 75 days of storage. The yield of oil extracted carotenoids was higher in both types of silage at the end of 75 days storage compared to the initial yield, being 31.30 μg/g in fermented silage and 26.18 μg/g in acid silage. The results indicated the usefulness of fermentation as a method for stabilization and recovery of carotenoids in the shrimp waste.

An outbreak of iritis and uveitis in dairy cattle at pasture associated with the supplementary feeding of baleage

Abstract Ocular disease associated with infection by Listeria monocytogenes has been reported in the veterinary literature for over 30 years (Kummeneje and Mikkelsen 1975), however it remains a poorly-defined condition (Morin 2004). Ocular listeriosis has generally been reported as having a similar disease pattern to that associated with listerial abortion or meningoencephalitis, i.e. the disease is primarily sporadic in occurrence although outbreaks can occur (Morgan 1977; Bocklisch et al 1991; Khodakaram-Tafti and Ikede 2005). However, Watson (1989) reported an outbreak of iritis and anterior uveitis in housed cattle linked to ocular infection with L. monocytogenes and associated with the feeding of silage. Since then, bovine iritis, commonly referred to as ‘silage eye’, has been increasingly recognised as a syndrome in dairy cattle in the United Kingdom (UK). Indeed, outbreaks of iritis are now more commonly reported by veterinarians in the UK than infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (Watson 2004), ...

Effects of phenylalanine fermentation byproduct and sugarcane molasses on fermentation quality and rumen degradation of whole crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage in situ

AbstractPhenylalanine fermentation byproduct (PFB) is generated by purifying phenylalanine products from microbial fermentation in the food industry. We examined the function of PFB as an ensiling agent to improve the silage fermentation and nutritive value of forage crops. We investigated the fermentation quality and rumen degradability of whole crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) silage in situ. We ensiled this type of silage in a laboratory scale using five compositional ratios (v/v) of PFB (20%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 80%) and a mixture of sugarcane molasses (SCM). Controls included the same volumes of water as the mixture of sugarcane molasses. The following strains Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (IFO12007), Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. mesenteroides (IFO12060), Lactobaccillus plantarum (IF014713), Pedioccocus acidilactici (IFO3858), Clostridium butyricum (IFO3858) and silage yeast (strain MY; separated from whole crop rice silage in this laboratory) were cultivated at 30°C in the recommended media containing a substituted carbon source depending on the compositional ratios of PFB and SCM mixtures. The growth of these strains was determined by measuring the optical density at 600 nm (OD600). The growth of the lactic acid bacteria significantly (P &lt; 0.001) increased in the presence of all PFB additives as compared with the control. The growth of C. butyricum was significantly increased, whereas that of silage yeast was decreased under all conditions. The concentrations of lactate and total organic acids were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.001) whereas those of acetate were lower in all PFB silages. These results indicated that PFB improved the silage fermentation of forage crops. With leaf and stem fractions, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content was significantly (P &lt; 0.001) decreased by the PFB additive and the rumen degradability of DM and NDF in situ was also significantly increased (P &lt; 0.01 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively).

Comparing the Fatty Acid Composition of Organic and Conventional Milk

During a 12-mo longitudinal study, bulk-tank milk was collected each month from organic (n=17) and conventional (n=19) dairy farms in the United Kingdom. All milk samples were analyzed for fatty acid (FA) content, with the farming system type, herd production level, and nutritional factors affecting the FA composition investigated by use of mixed model analyses. Models were constructed for saturated fatty acids, the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to monounsaturated fatty acids, total n-3 FA, total n-6 FA, conjugated linoleic acid, and vaccenic acid. The ratio of n-6:n-3 FA in both organic and conventional milk was also compared. Organic milk had a higher proportion of PUFA to monounsaturated fatty acids and of n-3 FA than conventional milk, and contained a consistently lower n-6:n-3 FA ratio (which is considered beneficial) compared with conventional milk. There was no difference between organic and conventional milk with respect to the proportion of conjugated linoleic acid or vaccenic acid. A number of factors other than farming system were identified which affected milk FA content including month of year, herd average milk yield, breed type, use of a total mixed ration, and access to fresh grazing. Thus, organic dairy farms in the United Kingdom produce milk with a higher PUFA content, particularly n-3 FA, throughout the year. However, knowledge of the effects of season, access to fresh grazing, or use of specific silage types could be used by producers to enhance the content of beneficial FA in milk.

Supplementing fresh pasture with maize, lotus, sulla and pasture silages for dairy cows in summer

AbstractA trial was conducted to compare benefits obtained from feeding four types of silage. There were two silages that contained condensed tannins (CT)—lotus (Lotus corniculatus) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium)—maize silage or traditional ryegrass pasture silage, all fed at 5 kg dry matter (DM) cow−1 day−1 with restricted pasture (RP). Cows on the RP (control) treatment and those fed the silage treatments were offered an allowance of 25 kg pasture DM cow−1 day−1, while the full pasture (FP) cows were offered 50 kg pasture DM cow−1 day−1. Silage supplementation increased both DM intake and milk yield compared with cows given RP only. Cows on the lotus silage supplement and the FP treatment had significantly higher milk production than the other silage supplemented cows (P &lt; 0.001). For cows given lotus silage, the high milk yield was probably due to a combination of the higher nutritive value of the silage and possibly to the protein‐sparing effects of the lotus condensed tannins because the total DM intake of cows fed the lotus silage was the same as that of cows given the pasture and maize silages (P &gt; 0.25). The high milk yield of the FP treatment was mainly a result of the cows having a higher intake of pasture than cows on all the other treatments. This study demonstrated the potential benefit of silage supplementation, particularly with lotus silage, for increased milksolids yield in summer when low pasture growth rates and quality may otherwise limit production. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

Effects of silage made from primary or regrowth grass and protein supplementation on dairy cow performance

The effects of protein supplementation on silages made either from primary or regrowth grass ( Phleum pratense– Festuca pratensis) and interaction effects between the silage type and protein supplementation were studied in an experiment with dairy cows. The silages were fed ad libitum and supplemented with concentrates (11 kg/day) containing different proportions of grain and rapeseed cake (RSC) R0 (100/0), R1 (890/110), R2 (780/220) and R3 (670/330), and having different crude protein (CP) contents (g/kg DM) 138 (R0), 162 (R1), 186 (R2) and 211 (R3). A cyclic cross-over design experiment was conducted with 16 cows, 8 diets and 4 periods. The silage made from primary grass (PG) had higher energy (11.3 vs. 10.0 ME) and CP (234 vs. 156 g/kg DM) contents compared to silage made from regrowth grass (RG). On PG diets the cows consumed 1.4 kg DM more silage and produced 2.4 kg more milk and 94 g more milk protein than cows on RG diets, but utilization of energy and absorbed amino acids (AA) was lower ( P < 0.001) compared to those on RG diets. Increased RSC content in the diets increased the intake of silage (from 9.4 to 10.7 kg DM) and absorbed AA (from 1748 to 2051 g) and the milk yield (2.3 kg, P < 0.01) linearly. Concerning the energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield, there was a linear effect ( P < 0.001), a tendency to a quadratic effect ( P = 0.09) and a cubic effect ( P < 0.05). In the protein yield there were both linear ( P < 0.001) and quadratic ( P < 0.05) effects. Utilization of CP decreased linearly ( P < 0.001). There was a significant interaction effect on energy utilization ( P = 0.035), because when the two highest levels of RSC were included in the PG diets, the energy utilization decreased. There was no interaction effect on the utilization of absorbed AA.

Corn Grain Endosperm Type and Brown Midrib 3 Corn Silage: Site of Digestion and Ruminal Digestion Kinetics in Lactating Cows

Interactions of endosperm type of corn grain and the brown midrib 3 (bm3) mutation in corn silage on ruminal kinetics and site of nutrient digestion of lactating dairy cows were evaluated. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated cows (72±8 d in milk; mean±SD) were used in a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design experiment with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were corn grain endosperm type (floury or vitreous) and corn silage type (bm3 or isogenic normal). Diets contained 26% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 30% starch. Interactions of treatments were not observed for any measure of digestibility, but digestion kinetics of starch and fiber did interact to affect digestible organic matter intake by affecting dry matter intake. Rate of ruminal starch digestion was faster and rate of ruminal starch passage tended to be slower in diets containing corn grain with floury vs. vitreous endosperm, resulting in a mean increase of 22 units for ruminal starch digestibility. Although compensatory postruminal starch digestion decreased differences among treatments for total tract starch digestibility, starch entering the duodenum was more digestible for grain with floury endosperm compared with vitreous grain, resulting in greater total tract starch digestibility for floury compared with vitreous corn grain. Fermentation rate of potentially digestible NDF was not affected by either bm3 corn silage or greater ruminal starch digestion of floury grain. Brown midrib corn silage increased total tract NDF digestibility vs. control silage by numerically increasing ruminal and postruminal digestibility of NDF. Endosperm type of corn grain greatly influences site of starch digestion and should be considered when formulating diets.

Corn Grain Endosperm Type and Brown Midrib 3 Corn Silage: Ruminal Fermentation and N Partitioning in Lactating Cows

Interactions of endosperm type of corn grain and the brown midrib 3 mutation (bm3) in corn silage on ruminal fermentation and microbial efficiency of lactating dairy cows were evaluated. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated cows (72±8 d in milk; mean±SD) were used in a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design experiment with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were corn grain endosperm type (floury or vitreous) and corn silage type (bm3 or isogenic normal). Diets contained 26% neutral detergent fiber and 30% starch. Increasing ruminal starch digestibility by replacing vitreous corn grain with floury grain reduced mean and minimum ruminal pH. Brown midrib 3 corn silage reduced mean and minimum ruminal pH and increased total volatile fatty acid concentration. Ruminal pH was positively associated with rate of valerate absorption. Although floury endosperm reduced acetate:propionate ratio in both control and bm3 corn silage diets, it had a greater effect on reducing acetate:propionate ratio for control silage compared with bm3 corn silage. Nonammonia N flow to the duodenum did not differ among treatments and no effects of treatment were detected for microbial N and nonammonia, nonmicrobial N flow. Although treatment effects on ruminal fermentation and ruminal pH were observed, few interactions of treatment were detected and treatments did not affect flow of N fractions to the intestines.

Corn Grain Endosperm Type and Brown Midrib 3 Corn Silage: Feeding Behavior and Milk Yield of Lactating Cows

Interactions of endosperm type of corn grain and the brown midrib 3 mutation (bm3) in corn silage on feeding behavior, productivity, energy balance, and plasma metabolites of lactating dairy cows were evaluated. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated cows (72±8 d in milk; mean±SD) were used in a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design experiment with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were corn grain endosperm type (floury or vitreous), and corn silage type (bm3 or isogenic control). Diets contained 26% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 30% starch. Floury endosperm grain decreased dry matter intake (DMI) 1.9kg/ d compared with vitreous grain when combined with control corn silage but did not affect DMI when combined with bm3 corn silage. This interaction of treatments occurred because of changes in meal size; floury endosperm grain decreased meal size in control silage diets but increased meal size in bm3 corn silage diets. Ruminal pool sizes reflected DMI differences among diets, suggesting that ruminal fill was not the primary limitation on intake. Brown midrib 3 corn silage reduced rumination time per day and number of rumination bouts per day. Floury endosperm grain decreased 3.5% fat-corrected milk by 1.2kg/d when combined with control silage but increased 3.5% fat-corrected milk by 2.1kg/d when combined with bm3 corn silage. Starch and fiber digestibility interact to affect feeding behavior and milk production and production response to bm3 corn silage depends on the grain source that is fed.

Antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria included in inoculants for silage and in silages treated with these inoculants

To determine antibacterial activity in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) silage inoculants and in wheat and corn silages which were treated with these inoculants. Wheat and two corn silages were prepared in 0.25 l sealed glass jars. Inoculant treatments were prepared for each type of silage with each of 10 LAB silage inoculants at inoculation rate of 10(6) CFU g(-1). Untreated silages served as controls. Antibacterial activity was determined in the inoculants and in their respective silages with Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibacterial activity was detected in nine of the 10 inoculants whereas such activity in the silages varied. Control silages did not have antibacterial activity. Many LAB silage inoculants have antibacterial activity and in some cases this activity is imparted on inoculated silages. This study was conducted as part of a broader research objective, which is to find out how LAB silage inoculants enhance ruminant performance. The results of this study indicate that LAB silage inoculants produce antibacterial activity, and therefore, have a potential to inhibit detrimental micro-organisms in the silage or in the rumen.

Conjugated linoleic acid concentration in M. Longissimus dorsi from heifers offered sunflower oil-based concentrates and conserved forages

Dietary inclusion of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich plant oils is one approach to improving the fatty acid profile of ruminant meat and meat products from a human health perspective. Whole crop wheat silages represent a possible alternative forage to grass silage for beef production, however, they may adversely impact the fatty acid profile of ruminant muscle since grass silage is rich in C18:3n−3. The first objective of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between an increase in the dietary supply of C18:2n−6 from sunflower oil (SFO) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration in the muscle tissue of beef cattle. The second objective was to investigate the effect of the basal forage type on the muscle fatty acid composition and its response to increasing inclusion of SFO. One hundred and five heifers were blocked according to initial bodyweight and assigned to one of seven silage treatments. The silage treatments were: (1) grass silage (GS), (2) whole crop wheat silage with 38% dry matter (DM) (W1), (3) GS and W1 at a ratio of 1:2 (DM basis) (W1GS) (4) GS and W1 at a ratio of 2:1 (DM basis) (GSW1), (5) whole crop wheat silage with 52% DM (W2), (6) GS and W2 at a ratio of 1:2 (DM basis) (W2GS), (7) GS and W2 at a ratio of 2:1 (DM basis) (GSW2). Within each silage treatment, 5 animals were assigned to one of three concentrate rations, differing in the content of SFO. The levels of inclusion of SFO in the concentrate were 0, 55, 110 g/kg concentrate. Inclusion of SFO in the diet led to an increase in the n−6:n−3 fatty acid ratio in muscle. In animals fed grass silage or mixed silages the n−6:n−3 ratio was lower in muscle compared with those fed whole crop wheat silages, with the exception of animals fed 55 g SFO/kg, for which feeding W1GS led to a higher ratio than W1. Other than the n−6:n−3 ratio there were no significant interactions between the effect of type of silage and the level of SFO on the concentration of fatty acids in intramuscular fat. Increasing the inclusion of SFO led to a linear increase in the CLAcis-9,trans-11 and PUFA concentration in intramuscular fat (P<0.001). This study confirmed the potential for modification, and improvement from a human health perspective, of the fatty acid composition of beef muscle by dietary manipulation.

Prediction of Fermentation Parameters in Grass and Corn Silage by Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Prediction models were developed for determination of lactic acid (Lac), acetic acid (HAc), pH, NH3 N, and ethanol (EtOH) in grass and corn silages by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Generally, Lac, pH, and NH3 N concentrations in original sample material could be determined with a better accuracy when NIR measurements were performed on dried material rather than on wet material. The difference could only partly be explained by the repeatability error of NIR measurements for compounds stable with respect to drying. The HAc concentration was determined slightly more accurately when measurements were performed on wet material. The respective ratios between analytical concentration range expressed as standard deviation and the root mean square error of cross validation (RMSECV) were 4.9, 2.0, 3.7, and 3.1 for Lac, HAc, pH, and NH3 N measured on dried grass silage, and 3.3 for EtOH measured on wet grass silage. The corresponding standard deviation:RMSECV for corn silage were 4.7, 1.9, 2.4, 2.9, and 4.0. The content of Lac was affected only slightly by drying at 80°C, whereas the effects on NH3 N and HAc were more pronounced, depending on silage type.

Effect of silage type and energy concentration on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk fat from dairy cows

Effect of silage type and energy concentration on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in milk fat from dairy cows

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

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

Effects of a bacterial silage inoculant on corn silage fermentation and nutrient digestibility

Two type silage were prepared, the control had no additives and the other silage with a bacterial inoculant (BONSİLAGE ®. Both of them were stored in 100 kg capacity plastic containers for two months and silage pH, organic acids and nutrient digestibility were investigated. In control and inoculated silage pH were 3.90 and 3.63 ( P<0.05), amount of lactic acid 16.75 and 22.45 g kg −1 DM ( P<0.05), acetic acid 49.48 and 51.65 g kg −1 DM, and butyric acid 7.12 and 5.44 g kg −1 DM ( P<0.05), respectively. Eight Morkaraman sheeps, 2 years old, were used to determine nutrient digestibility of corn silages. In control and inoculated silages, the degrees of digestibility of DM were 59.73, 68.53%, OM 64.10, 66.95%, CP 48.39, 50.30%, NDF 63.35, 66.11%, and ADF 55.33, 59.35%. In conclusion, corn silage fermentation and digestibility of DM and NDF were increased ( P<0.05) by the bacterial inoculation