Silage Varieties Research Articles

Foliar fungicide (pyraclostrobin) application effects on plant composition of a silage variety corn

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of foliar fungicide applied at various times during the growing season of corn on the chemical composition of corn leaves, corn ears, and corn stalks. Treatments were replicated once and assigned to 1 of 8 0.4-ha plots of corn, as follows: control (CON), corn receiving no foliar fungicide application; treatment 1 (V5), where corn received a mixture of pyraclotrobin and fluxapyroxad foliar fungicide (Priaxor, BASF Corp.) corn vegetative stage 5 (V5); treatment 2 (V5+R1), where corn received two applications of foliar fungicide, a mixture of pyraclotrobin and fluxapyroxad at V5 and a mixture of pyraclostrobin+metconazole foliar fungicide (Headline AMP; BASF Corp.) at corn reproductive stage 1 (R1); and treatment 3 (R1), in which corn received one application of pyraclostrobin+metconazole foliar fungicide at R1. Evaluators at R1 and corn reproductive phase 3 (R3) reported signs of Gray Leaf Spot and Northern Leaf Blight on the foliage. Twenty-four individual corn plants from each treatment were collected at R1 and R3 for weight and length measurement. At each collection, corn was disassembled into leaves, stalks, flag leaf, and ears for chemical analysis. At R3, corn in V5+R1 and R1 had less yellow leaves than CON and V5 (1.7, 1.5, 0.83 and 0.88 for CON, V5, V5+R1 and R1, respectively; P=0.03), and treated corn were taller than untreated (2.5, 2.9, 3.1, and 2.8m for CON, V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively; P=0.02). Fungicide treated corn stalks had greater lignin content (56, 64, and 50g/kg DM for V5, V5+R1, and R1, respectively) compared with untreated (46g/kg DM; P=0.03), with the greatest concentration from corn stalks in V5+R1. Fungicide treated corn leaves had less ADF content (331, 283, and 330g/kg DM for V5, V5+R1, and R1; P=0.01) and NDF content (584, 524, and 554g/kg DM for V5, V5+R1, and R1; P=0.02) compared with untreated leaves (333g/kg DM ADF; 569g/kg DM NDF, respectively). In conclusion, results suggest that applications of foliar fungicide at V5 and R1 together may have a synergistic interaction on the fibrous content within the corn leaves, producing a higher quality feedstuff for ruminants when fungal disease is present.

0483 Comparison of barley silage with varying digestible fiber content to corn silage on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial protein synthesis using RUSITEC technique

The objectives of this study were to assess the magnitude of differences among barley silages with different in vitro NDF digestibility (ivNDFD) in comparison with corn silage in 1) predicted carbohydrate digestibility 2) rumen fermentation characteristics and 3) microbial protein synthesis using Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC). The experiment was carried-out in a completely randomized block design with four treatments. The four whole-plant silages utilized in this study were: CS-TMR = corn silage (30h ivNDFD = 32%), HNDFD-TMR = barley silage with high ivNDFD (30h ivNDFD = 37%), INDFD-TMR = barley silage with intermediate ivNDFD (30h ivNDFD = 28%), and LNDFD-TMR = barley silage with low ivNDFD (30h ivNDFD = 26%). Results from RUSITEC showed that nutrient disappearance, rumen fermentation characteristics, and microbial protein synthesis did not differ among diets that contained different varieties of barley silage (P > 0.1). However, CS-TMR tended to have a higher microbial protein yield than all barl...

The effect of ensiling on variety rank of maize silage

O variety trials with maize silage determine quality parameters in fresh (i.e., unconserved) samples. However, farmers use silage as daily component of cattle diet. Quality changes (crude protein and starch content, NDF, organic matter (OMD) and cell wall digestibility (DNDF)) during ensiling have been studied extensively. It is as yet unclear if the variety rank based on the quality of fresh maize samples is similar with the variety rank based on the quality of ensiled maize samples. In our research, eight maize silage varieties were monitored at six harvest dates (from 250 to 400 g/kg dry matter content) in Merelbeke (Belgium). At each harvest date, fresh samples were taken and half of the sampled material was ensiled in laboratory silos for three months. We analyzed the data with Analyses of Variance and concluded that the variety rank was stable at any harvest date if the interaction between variety and ensiling was not significant. Quality changes during ensiling resulted in a change of variety rank depending on the dry matter content at harvest. Reporting variety ranks based on fresh material continues to be a good practice for crude protein and starch content. However, changes in variety ranks based on OMD, NDF and DNDF occurred at a higher frequency. For each quality parameter, a stable variety rank was only guaranteed at the first harvest date corresponding with a dry matter content of 250g/kg.

What is the best additive to use at the ensiling of sugarcane SP81-3250?

Our objective was to determine the best additive to use for the ensiling of sugarcane SP81-3250 based on the nutritional properties and aerobic stability of the silages. The additives evaluated were (1) and (2): salt (NaCl) at rates of 1.0 or 2.0 kg/100 kg fresh sugarcane (as-is basis), respectively; (3) and (4): quicklime (CaO) at rates of 1.0 or 2.0 kg/100 kg fresh sugarcane, respectively; (5) and (6): commercial inoculants Silobac® and Maize All®; and a control treatment. The addition of quicklime reduced the NDF and ADF contents of the silages by 11% compared with the control treatment, but did not increase the digestibility. On the other hand, after 24 h of in vitro fermentation, the application of 1.0 and 2.0% salt reduced the gas production by 34.15 and 33.55 mL/g OM, respectively, and the IVOMD was reduced 5.74 and 5.90%, respectively, compared with the untreated silage. Moreover, the addition of quicklime elevated the pH of the sugarcane silages, with a trend towards an increase in the DM recovery. In contrast, the bacterial inoculants did not alter the pH values, but there was an upward trend for a DM recovery. After the silos were opened, the silages that were treated with salt (independent of the dose) and 1.0% quicklime exhibited greater stability. We recommend applying 1.0 kg of quicklime to each 100 kg of sugarcane at the time of ensiling to improve the nutritional characteristics of sugarcane silage variety SP81-3250.

Cinética de fermentação in vitro de silagens da parte aérea de mandioca

Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a cinética de fermentação ruminal das silagens de diferentes frações da parte aérea de variedades de mandioca, pela técnica semiautomática de produção de gases. O experimento foi conduzido em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, arranjado em um esquema fatorial 4x3, sendo quatro variedades de mandioca (Amarelinha, Sabará, Olho roxo e Periquita) e três frações da parte aérea (terço superior, sobra de plantio e planta inteira). O material foi ensilado em silos experimentais de PVC, sendo abertos após 56 dias de fermentação. Amostras das silagens foram coletadas e submetidas à pré-secagem, moídas e em seguida procedeu-se ensaio de produção de gases in vitro. As leituras de pressão dos gases produzidos durante as fermentações foram realizadas às 0; 4; 6; 8; 10; 12; 15; 18; 21; 24; 30; 36; 48; 72 e 96 horas após o início das incubações. As leituras de pressão dos gases foram realizadas por intermédio de transdutor de pressão e, posteriormente ajustadas para o volume de gases. O maior desaparecimento ruminal da MS ocorreu nos tempos entre zero e 24 horas. As maiores produções de gases por hora foram obtidas aproximadamente às 48 horas de fermentação para a variedade Olho Roxo na fração planta inteira. As silagens das diferentes variedades e frações da parte aérea de mandioca apresentaram o mesmo potencial de produção de gases. Entretanto, as silagens da variedade Amarelinha nas frações da parte aérea terço superior e sobras de plantio apresentaram melhores degradabilidades efetiva e potencial.

Methane yield through anaerobic digestion for various maize varieties in China

The methane potential of nine varieties of fresh maize harvested at three different times and of maize silage was experimentally determined in batch assays. The ultimate methane productivity in terms of volatile solids (VS) was determined as 213.94–313.63, 195.88–334.81mL/g VS from several fresh and silage maize in three stages, respectively. The average specific methane yield of wax ripeness stage for fresh maize and full ripeness stage for silage maize were higher than that of other stages, respectively. The high-oil varieties of fresh maize and silage varieties of ensiling maize could produce more methane than general varieties in the same ripeness stage. Methane yield of ensiled materials was higher than fresh material. The methane yields of fresh and silage maize in full ripeness stage were ranged 5656–7956 and 4633–8915m3/ha, respectively. The corresponding maximum of methane yield came from fresh HO5580 and silage CAU No. 4.

Nutritional Evaluation of Two Promising Varieties of Forage Sorghum in Sheep Fed as Silage

Two promising varieties of forage sorghum viz. HD-15 and J. Sel-10 were identified for their higher forage yield (350- 400 quintals per hectare) compared to traditional/existing variety, HC-136 at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. Silage of these three forage sorghum varieties viz., HD-15, J.Sel-10 and HC-136 were prepared in three concrete silos for their nutritional evaluation in sheep. Twelve adult Muzaffarnagari Ewes, divided into three equal groups of 4 each, were offered a particular variety of sorghum silage ad libitum over a period of 30 days followed by a 6 day metabolism trial and a collection of rumen liquor and blood samples. The HD-15 variety of forage sorghum silage contained higher crude protein (CP) than both the J.Sel-10 and HC-136. Average daily dry matter (DM) intake (% of live weight) differed significantly (p<0.05) in sheep that were fed the different varieties of silage, with the maximum amount in HD-15 (2.55) followed by J.Sel-10 (2.49) and HC-136 (1.84). The average apparent digestibility of all the nutrients was low in the sheep that were fed the HC-136 variety of sorghum silage when compared to both HD-15 and J.Sel-10. However, digestibility of organic matter (p<0.05) and crude protein (p<0.01) was significantly low in the HC-136 variety. The average daily nitrogen retention was-0.19, 2.15 and 0.42 g in HC-136, HD-15 and J.Sel-10, respectively which differed significantly (p<0.01). The average digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents (%) of the silage varieties were higher in HD-15 (3.14 and 55.3) than HC-136 (0.25 and 58.6) and J.Sel-10 (1.58 and 55.3) varieties. On comparing to the maintenance requirements (ICAR, 1985) for dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients, both the improved varieties (HD-15 and J.Sel-10) almost met the requirements except crude protein, which met only 73.3% of the requirement by J.Sel-10, while the HC-136 variety was unable to meet the requirements. The average rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids concentrations were comparable among the groups. However, concentrations of nitrogen metabolites were higher in the animals fed the HD-15 variety of silage. Varieties of sorghum silage also did not have any influence on the concentration of the blood metabolites. It was concluded that the HD-15 variety of sorghum silage was nutritionally superior to both J.Sel-10 and HC-136 silage. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 12 : 1715-1720)

Effect of Variety and Stage of Maturity on Nutritive Value of Whole Crop Rice Silage for Ruminants: In situ Dry Matter and Nitrogen Degradability and Estimation of Metabolizable Energy and Metabolizable Protein

The effect of eight varieties of whole crop rice silage (WCRS) harvested at four stages of maturity were investigated for in situ DM and N degradability, ME and MP yield and content in an 8×4 factorial experiment. The varieties were Akichikara, Fukuhibiki, Habataki, Hamasari, Hokuriku 168, Kusanami, Tamakei 96 and Yumetoiro. Hamasari and Kusanami were forage varieties while all others were grain varieties. Forages were harvested on 10, 22, 34 and 45 days after flowering, ensiled and kept in airtight condition. Between 45 and 49 days after ensiling, silages opened, chopped and milled green to pass through 4 mm screen. Samples were incubated in the rumen of two Holstein steers for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h over eight 4 d periods. Bags at 0 h were washed in a washing machine. Variety affected DM (p 0.05) for DM 'b', DM 'c', DM 'a+b' and N 'c'. Effective DM degradability was higher in grain varieties than forage varieties and degradability increased with maturity. N availability decreased only slightly with maturity. Variety was the key factor for N degradability characteristics of WCRS since variety accounted for most of the total variation for degradability characteristics. Both ME and MP content and yield were higher (p<0.001) in grain varieties, and they increased (p<0.001) with the maturity. The results clearly demonstrated that the grain type varieties contained higher ME and MP content than forage varieties, and increase in maturity increases both ME and MP content of WCRS. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 11 : 1541-1552)

Effects of rapeseed silage variety and dietary level on digestion and growth performance of beef steers.

A digestion and ruminal fermentation trial involving five ruminally cannulated steers assigned to a 5 x 5 Latin square with a 2 x 2 + 1 arrangement of dietary treatments was conducted to evaluate the effects of variety of rapeseed silage (RS) containing either a high (HG) or a low (LG) glucosinolate concentration when fed at 100 or 50% of diet DM. A bromegrass hay-corn-soybean meal mixture, which was expected to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous with the RS, was used as the control (C) treatment and replaced RS in the 50% diets. In situ disappearance of substrate from both RS varieties was measured in ruminal environments created by each diet. No dietary treatment x RS substrate interactions were observed for any in situ variable. Total tract digestibility and extent of in situ disappearance of both DM and NDF were greater (P less than .01) for HG than for LG. In situ DM and NDF disappearance at 8, 16 and 24 h was greater (P less than .01) for RS than for the C diet. Similarly, total tract DM digestibility was greater (P less than .01) for RS (61.0%) vs C (56.0%) diets. Diets with 50% RS had greater (P less than .01) NDF digestibility (50.4%) than 100% RS (43.6%) diets. Variety of RS had no effect on particulate passage rate. In a 77-d growth trial with 60 beef steers, ADG was greater (P less than .01) for HG vs LG (.46 vs .36 kg), 50 vs 100% (.52 vs .31) and C vs RS (.64 vs .41) diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of Sodium Hydroxide Treatment of Sorghum Silage on Lactation of Cows and on In Vitro Digestion

About 40 t of chopped sorghum forage (silage variety) was treated with 4% (by weight dry) sodium hydroxide at ensiling in a plastic bag. Another 40 t of the forage was ensiled without treatment in the same bag. Early in fermentation pH was higher in treated forage, but by day 21 pH was about 4.0, and amounts of acid were similar in treated and control silage. In a feeding trial eight cows receiving treated silage after 6-wk ensiling produced 21.2kg milk with 2.83% fat; eight cows fed control silage produced 19.9kg milk containing 2.77% fat. Mean in vitro dry matter disappearance was 58.8 and 52.1% for weekly samples of treated and control silage. Freeze-dried samples of both treated and control silages were treated with an additional 4% sodium hydroxide and 1% nitrogen from urea (by weight dry) in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Laboratory treatment with alkali increased in vitro dry matter disappearance of dried sorghum silage and interacted significantly with nitrogen supplementation. Apparently treatment of wet sorghum forage with 4% dry sodium hydroxide produced a satisfactory feed but did not achieve maximum improvement in in vitro dry matter disappearance of the silage.

Adaptation of silage maize varieties under extreme northern growing condions in Finland

Trials with maize varieties from various places in the world were started in 1975. In preliminary trials in 1975, 280 varieties were tested. Between 19 and 23 varieties were selected for ordinary variety tests in 1976—78 at the University farm in Siuntio. Weather conditions, particularly average daily temperatures in 1975 were better than the long term averages, and in 1976—78 far below the average growing conditions. Dry matter yields of the seven harvested silage varieties in 1975 varied between 5.8 and 11.5 tons/ha. In 1976—78 the variation in DM yields was 3.8—8.0 tons/ha among 19—23 varieties. In 1975, 44 varieties out of 280 produced mature seed. Only one variety matured in 1978, but none in 1976—77. The developmental stage of silage maize is primarily determined by ear percentage and secondarily by DM %. In 1975 the average ear % of seven varieties was 49.1 %, in 1978 18.1 % and in 1976—77 only 4.0—5.7 % in DM. As a result of the variety tests promising varieties from Yugoslavia, France and Germany could be found. It can be concluded from the long term temperature data that with very early hybrid varieties a mature grain yield can be harvested twice in ten years. Good quality silage material can be harvested six times in ten years and a satisfactory crop can be obtained eight times in then years. The limiting factor for the growth and development of maize in Finland is the low average temperature of the growing season. Important but less significant is the length of the vegetative period, which is determined by the first killing frost in the fall. The temperature deficit is particularly critical at the beginning of the growing season.

Wheat, barley, and oat silages for beef cattle (1978)

Wheat, barley, or oat silages can provide excellent alternatives to corn and sorghum silages for beef cattle. Wheat, barley, oat, and corn silages were fed to steers in seven trials for the past five years (Prog. Rpt. 210, 230, 262 and 291, Kansas Agr. Expt. Sta.). The forages were whole plant and had been harvested in the dough state except as indicated. Silage was made in concrete silos (10 x 50 feet). When necessary, water was added to provide a moisture content of at least 60% in the ensiled forage. Cereal silage varieties included soft red winter, awnless wheats, Blue Boy, Blue Boy II, and Arthur, hard red winter, awned wheats, Parker, Eagle and Sage; winter, awned barleys, Paoli and Kanby, and spring oats, Trio and Loci.