From horticultural waste to feed: Circular economy potential of cucumber-straw silage in Mediterranean lamb production through integrated in vitro, in vivo, and life cycle assessment.

Indigestible markers continue to be among the best tools available for estimating intake, especially when individual animal feeding cannot be feasibly measured. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a commonly used external marker for estimating fecal output. Estimates of digestibility are still required to estimate intake, which can be obtained through feed chemical analysis or by using internal markers. The objectives were: 1) test potential diet and dosing effects of TiO2 for intake estimates; 2) compare intake estimates from two fecal sampling regimes (i.e., intensive vs. less intensive); and 3) determine accuracy of intake estimates using TiO2 as a fecal output marker and different in vitro or in vivo methods of estimating diet digestibility. In vitro methods to determine digestibility included in vitro DM digestibility and in vitro OM digestibility. In vivo methods to determine digestibility included indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and acid detergent insoluble ash (ADIA). Treatment were arranged as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included 2 diets, 2 TiO2 dosing schemes, and 2 fecal sampling regimens. Diets were grass haylage (HLG) and a total mixed ration (TMR). Dosing was once (1×) or twice (2×) daily administration of bolus containing TiO2. The 1× treatments received 2 capsules every morning, while the 2× received 1 capsule in the morning and 1 in the afternoon, both receiving 10 g of TiO2/d. Fecal samples were collected either 3 times daily over 4 d with times shifted each day (4 × 3), or twice daily at the same times each day (AMPM). Intake for TMR was overestimated by up to 4 kg/d using iNDF as an internal marker, independent of the dosing scheme and fecal composite type. For HLG, intake was underpredicted by up to 2.6 kg/d. Increasing dosing regimen, along with an intensive fecal collection period did not improve the accuracy of the intake estimates. Coupling fecal excretion estimates from TiO2 with in vitro methods for diet digestibility can provide accurate intake estimates. Both iNDF and ADIA provided accurate intake estimates. Using ADIA may be preferable due to it not requiring cannulated cattle and needing less labor than iNDF. Reasonably accurate intake estimates can be obtained under the evaluated conditions using less intensive dosing and sampling strategies, provided that digestibility estimation methods are appropriately selected and validated.

BackgroundSustainable livestock production is essential for meeting the growing global protein demand while minimising environmental impacts. Exploring alternative forages that enhance nutrient utilisation and reduce reliance on imported feeds is a potential strategy. Condensed tannins (CTs) can bind to proteins in the rumen, protecting them from ruminal degradation resulting in decreased ammoniacal N and enhanced nitrogen uptake in the hindgut. This pioneering research is the first to explore the potential of willow (Salix) as an alternative feed for ruminant nutrition. The study involved feeding ewe hoggets a control grass silage (SIL) or a SIL mix containing a 20% dry matter (DM) dietary inclusion of leaves from two willow varieties to investigate the impact the willow CTs have on rumen fermentation, microbial populations, and metabolomic profiles. Willow treatments: Beagle (BG) and Terra Nova (TN) had an overall CT inclusion (CTI) of 1.1 and 0.1% DM with the control diet containing no CTs in a three-treatment x three-period Latin square design.ResultsAlthough total dry matter and fibre intake were higher in BG and TN, there was no significant difference in ruminal CH4 production between the treatments. However, fermentation was affected, with BG and TN showing lower acetate production and reduced total volatile fatty acid production compared to SIL. CTs may have impaired fibre digestion, as SIL had higher Fibrobacter abundance than BG. Heatmap visualisation indicated higher carbohydrate metabolite concentrations in SIL, with reduced metabolism observed in TN and BG. Ruminal ammonia did not differ significantly among treatments, despite higher nitrogen intake in BG and TN treatments. Proteolytic bacteria levels were similar across treatments, but TN and BG had higher ruminal metabolites associated with protein metabolism upon visualisation through heatmap analysis. TN showed higher abundance of Prevotella and Fibrobacter than BG, which had 10 times higher CT content and a greater prodelphinidin proportion.ConclusionFeeding CT-containing willow enhanced feed intake, altered rumen microbiome composition and suggested visual changes in the analysis of protein metabolism, offering potential benefits for animal performance. While a reduction in CH4 was not observed, this study highlights the potential of willow to alter ruminant nutrition while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-025-00444-6.

Factor of utilisation of electric power or electric capacity factor (CF) is low in agricultural biogas plants in Latvia due to low input biomass quality and/or biogas plants management practices. Different parameters of the silage in input biomass and in digestate output were analysed using statistical methods for 15 agricultural biogas plants in Latvia. Samples of silage were obtained from operating biogas plants and were analysed in certified laboratory. Multivariate statistical modelling of the factors was carried out to find determinants of the CF. Results of modelling showed that most important factors influencing CF value was ash percentage in silage (ASH) and proportion of silage (SIL) in input biomass of biogas plants explaining 34.7% of the variations in CF of the biogas plants with maximum probability 92.2 %.The comparison of two subgroups of biogas plants differing in total solids (TS) content in input silage with the first subgroup including biogas plants with silage TS content higher than 29.9 % and the second subgroup with silage TS content below 29.9 %, showed significant differences in mean CF values 0.812 or 0.645 (difference 20.6 %) in first or second subgroups, respectively, with probability above 95 %. Recommendations are to maintain the TS content of silage above 29.9 % and to reduce biodegradation of silage during storage, for example by covering silage heaps with oxygen-proof plastic film and reducing the opening time of heaps during removal of silage.

The use of indigestible markers continues to be among the best tools available for estimating dry matter intake (DMI) in situations where individual animal feeding cannot be feasibly measured. The constant animal handling required for dosing markers and subsequent fecal sample collection required are often limiting, especially when grazing or when animal handling facilities are not accessible. Identifying strategies for more efficient use of labor while not sacrificing the accuracy of DMI estimates are important for further application of these techniques. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Test potential diet and dosing effects of C32 n-alkane for intake estimates; 2) Compare intake estimates from 2 contrasting (i.e., intensive vs. less intensive) fecal sampling regimes; and 3) Determine whether intake estimates differ when 2 different n-alkane pairs (C31:C32 or C32:C33) are used. The study was laid out using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were 2 diets, 2 n-alkane marker dosing regimens, and 2 fecal sampling regimens. Diets were grass haylage (HLG) and a total mixed ration (TMR). Daily intakes were recorded using Calan gates. Alkane dosing was once (1×) or twice (2×) daily dosing of a bolus containing dotriacontane (C32) n-alkane. The 1× treatments received 2 capsules every morning, while the 2× treatments received 1 capsule in the morning and 1 in the afternoon, both receiving 933mg of C32/d. Fecal samples were either taken 3 times daily over 4 d with times shifted each day (4 × 3), or twice daily at the same times each day (AMPM). The results indicate the use of C32:C33 n-alkane pairs were not accurate for predicting DMI (Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient [CCC] all < 0.5). The C31:C32 n-alkane pairs provided accurate estimates of DMI, having adequate agreement (CCC >0.6) between predicted and observed DMI estimates. Strategies for dosing either 1× or 2× daily were both accurate, within the confines of the experiment. In terms of fecal sampling, there was no discernable advantage for the intensive (4 × 3) sampling regimen compared to the twice daily (AMPM) sampling. In addition, intake estimates were similar with either the 1× or 2× dosing regimens. For studies conducted under similar conditions, it may be suitable to adopt 1× dosing regimen with twice-daily fecal sampling schedules.

Daily harvesting of fresh grass for housed livestock when its nutritive value is high (Zero-grazing) is a labour-intensive process which requires a consistent supply of grass at the optimum growth stage. An alternative approach which may save on labour and require less time spent on grassland management each day, involves harvesting and ensiling herbage on a number of occasions (every 4 weeks approximately) during the growing season when it is at the same nutritive value as herbage used for zero-grazing. This study examined the impact of these two approaches to dairy cow performance. Thirty-six mid-lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were offered either zero-grazed fresh grass (ZG), or grass silage (SIL) prepared from the same sward harvested at a similar growth stage, over a single season. Fresh grass was harvested daily and offered to ZG cows for a 12-week period. During this period, the same sward was harvested once weekly and ensiled in round bales. Following a five-week ensilage period, the silage was offered to cows on SIL for a 12-week period. All cows were also offered 8.0 kg concentrate per day. Zero-grazed grass and grass silage had a mean metabolisable energy content of 11.0 and 11.3 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Mean forage DM intake (DMI) and total DMI were greater for cows on ZG (P < 0.001) compared to SIL, with intakes during weeks 8–12 of the experiment lower with SIL compared to ZG (P < 0.001). Cows on ZG had a higher milk yield, milk protein concentration, milk fat plus protein yield and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield (P < 0.001) than cows on SIL. With the exception of milk yield (where the difference was primarily observed during weeks 8–12 of lactation), these differences were observed most weeks during the study period. Milk fat concentration was unaffected by treatment (P > 0.05). Milk of cows on ZG had higher concentrations of total monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001), total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs, P < 0.001) but lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFAs, P < 0.001) compared to cows on SIL. Diet had no effect on cow BW or condition score. This study has shown that when harvested from the same sward, milk yield and ECM yield were improved when cows were offered zero-grazed grass compared to grass silage. This difference in performance was likely due to the lower forage intake observed with the grass silage-based diet.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the influence of feeding strategy and grass/clover silage pre-treatment on pig growth performance and carcass traits. In total, 128 pigs weighing 30–110 kg were fed either a commercial control feed or received silage in a pellet (SP) or in a total mixed ratio (TMR) containing chopped silage (SC) or intensively treated silage (SE). Silage replaced 20% of dietary crude protein content (g/kg). Diet affected weight gain (P = 0.001), with pigs fed the SP diet showing best overall growth performance. Pigs fed the SC diet had the lowest weight gain (P = 0.001), while pigs fed the SE diet performed similarly to those fed the control diet. Carcass weight and dressing percentage differed between the diets (P = 0.016 and P = 0.018), but there was no difference in lean meat content (P = 0.832). The results show satisfactory growth performance and carcass traits, indicating that silage can replace other protein sources in growing/finishing pig diets.

Simple SummaryIn recent years, interest has grown in improving the productivity of pure local breeds in Spain using corn silage as an alternative to concentrates. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the lipid oxidation, color and visual color acceptability of meat from the Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed fed with corn silage in total mixed ration. The inclusion of corn silage led to lower lipid oxidation and higher visual color acceptability when the samples were packaged in a modified atmosphere. The use of corn silage could serve as a feeding option for this type of animal without affecting the quality of the derived meat.In order to increase the economic profitability of Avileña-Negra Ibérica beef production, the inclusion of corn silage in total mixed rations was proposed during the fattening period. Twenty-four Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed entire young bulls were used to evaluate the effects of two feeding systems—concentrate (CON) and corn silage (SIL)—and two packaging systems—vacuum (VAC) and modified atmosphere (MAP)—on the lipid oxidation, color evolution and visual color acceptability of meat throughout display with either oxygen-permeable film (FILM) or modified atmosphere (MAP). Two muscles were assessed: Longissimus thoracis (LT) and Semitendinosus (ST). Meat from SIL-fed animals had higher TBA values than CON-fed animals after 7 days in MAP packaging. Lipid oxidation was prevented more effectively by VAC packaging than MAP. Display time highly influenced lipid oxidation, since oxidation rates were lower with VAC than MAP packaging. After 14 days of display in MAP, the LT from CON was lighter than the ST. Meat discoloration after 7 days of display was significantly different between packaging systems. Vacuum-packaged meat kept the same color throughout the storage time. Visual color acceptability for the LT was higher throughout display than for the ST. Samples from the MAP were well accepted by consumers, especially the meat from the SIL group. Alternatively, feeding with corn silage could be used for this type of animals without affecting important aspects of meat quality.

Utilization of Turi leaves (Sesbania grandiflora) and cassava tubers (Manihot esculenta) as a protein source to replace some fish meal can be done by silage of the two ingredients. This silage fermentation process requires adding inoculum from the fermented liquid to obtain good quality silage. This study aims to determine the effect of fermented liquid on the quality of silage made from Turi leaves and cassava tubers for fish feed ingredients through parameters of Titration End Point and pH levels. The research treatment was the addition of fermented liquid for four days with a sugar content of 1% (CT4-1%) in the treatment silage (S_CT4-1%), compared to the initial silage (SA) and the negative control silage (SKN). The results showed a significant (P&lt;0.05) addition of CT4-1% fermented liquid, namely Titration End Point S_CT4-1% a significant increase of 281.9% from 18.33 mL in SA to 70.00 mL in treatment. The pH condition significantly decreased from 5.35 in SA to 4.17 in the treatment. Titration End Point on SKN only increased by 90.9% from 18.33 mL to 35.00 mL, with pH only dropping from 5.35 to 4.31. Study concuded that CT4-1% produced excellent quality silage of Turi leaves and cassava tubers based on TAT and pH levels. This quality can increase the chance of silage of Turi leaves and cassava tubers treated with CT4-1% as a partial substitute for fish meal in fish feed manufacture.

It was aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of three sorghum varieties as a function of the fertilization with poultry litter (PL) and the nutritional value of the silages. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, with five doses of PL (0, 1000, 2000, 3000 e 4000 kg ha -1 ) and three varieties of sorghum (grain, forage and BRS 506). The BRS 506 and forage varieties presented the highest forage yield (P<0.05) as a function of PL fertilization at the 4000 kg ha -1 dose, with an average yield of 51.54 t ha -1 and 44.59 t ha -1 of fresh matter, respectively. Among the silages of the three varieties, BRS 506 presented the lowest pH, 3.49, and DM content close to 35%. The highest crude protein content was observed for the grain sorghum silage. The forage sorghum presented NDF content. The silages of the grain and BRS 506 varieties obtained the highest degradability potentially. The fertilization with 4000 kg PL ha -1 is recommended for the three sorghum varieties. For the silage preparation, the grain variety and BRS 506 presented excellent chemical characteristics and ruminal degradation.

Effects of Hydrothermal Pretreatment on the Nutritional Values and In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics of Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Corn Silage

Selection of Salt-Tolerant Silage Rice Through in vitro Screening and Saltol QTL Analysis

Agriculture is defined as growing of crops and rearing of animals. Animals need the good quality fodder at right time. If good quality feeding is provided to the animals in proper quantities, only then they can be expected to perform at their potential. Shortage of fodder, low yield per acre and fodder scarcity periods greatly reduce the livestock productivity in tropical areas. Best alternative to overcome scarcity period could be the preservation of fodder. These silages are when fed to the animals they provide different nutrients to animals in varying quantities. Silages are considered as an important source of nutrients and carbohydrates for the animals. When feeding animals with silage of any kind, the most critical point having effect on the production of animals is the quality of silage. Keeping in mind the importance of silage in agriculture and livestock sector present review is designed which directly focuses on the role of silage in animal feed and indirectly focuses on how we can improve the quality and quantity of silage.

این پژوهش به ­منظور بررسی اثر سطوح مختلف اسانس ­دارچین (صفر، 60 و 120 میلی­گرم اسانس به ­ازای هر کیلوگرم ماده تر) بر ترکیبات شیمیایی، پایداری­ هوازی و فراسنجه­های تولید گاز سیلاژ یونجه در شرایط آزمایشگاهی انجام گرفت.تیمارهای آزمایشی شامل تیمار یونجه بدون افزودنی (شاهد)، یونجه همراه با اسانس­ دارچین با سطح 60 میلی­گرم بر کیلوگرم و یونجه به­ علاوه اسانس ­دارچین با سطح 120 میلی­گرم بر کیلوگرم بودند. سیلوهای تهیه شده به مدت 60 روز در دمای اتاق نگهداری شدند. پس از باز نمودن سیلوها، ترکیبات شیمیایی تیمارهای مورد آزمایش و همچنین پایداری هوازی سیلاژها اندازه­گیری شد. اندازه­گیری قابلیت تولید­ گاز با استفاده از روش درون آزمایشگاهی با پنج تکرار در ساعت­های 2، 4، 6، 8، 12، 16، 24، 36، 48، 72، 96 و 120 انجام گرفت. داده­های حاصل در قالب طرح کاملا تصادفی تجزیه شدند. نتایج نشان دادکه افزودن اسانس در هر دو سطح به سیلاژ یونجه، میزان pH سیلاژ را به ­طور معنی­داری نسبت به تیمار شاهد کاهش داد (05/0>P). همچنین افزودن اسانس دارچین در سطح 60 میلی­گرم به سیلاژ یونجه غلظت کربوهیدرات­های محلول در آب (80/4 درصد) را نسبت به شاهد (08/4 درصد) افزایش داد (05/0>P). میزان پروتئین خام در تیمارهای مکمل شده با اسانس دارچین افزایش (47/12 درصد) یافت. میزان پایداری هوازی در تیمارهای فرآوری شده با اسانس دارچین نسبت به تیمار شاهد افزایش یافت. افزودن 60 میلی­گرم در کیلوگرم اسانس دارچین موجب کاهش حجم گاز تولیدی (7/128 میلی­لیتر به ازای گرم ماده خشک) در مقایسه با تیمار شاهد (52/136 میلی­لیتر به ­ازای گرم ماده خشک) شد (05/0>P). در مجموع، داده­های بدست آمده نشان­دهنده اثر مثبت اسانس دارچین بر کیفیت سیلاژ یونجه و خصوصیات تخمیری آن بود.

Study on dynamic change of fermentation quality in mixed silages of bamboo shoot shell and rice husk

The purpose of the research is the yield increase of spring wheat under arid steppe of the Orenburg pre-Urals conditions. Stationary long term field experience was laid on the site of the Kuibyshev's experimental production farm located in Orenburg district. Crop rotations and hard spring wheat monocrop have been studied for 30 years. The two-factor experimental design, consisting of four repetitions was developed. The results of long-term stationary studies for 1990-2019 involving five rotations and hard spring wheat monocrop are presented. Weather conditions, the precursor type and nutrient status are the major factors affecting the hard spring wheat yield. The number of hyperarid years when hard spring wheat yield was less than 5 C per 1 ha in the first rotation amounted to 1 year, in the second - 2, in the third and the fourth - 3 years, in the fifth - 5 years. A significant hard spring wheat increase in yield on the basis of fertilized ground over 30 years was noted on weedfree fallow - 6 years, conservation tillage - 10, green manured - 8, winter - 12, corn - 13 and peas - 4 years, monocrop - 10 years. The highest yield of hard spring wheat for five rotations was on weedfree fallow, conservation tillage and green manured areas (average for two nutrient status), respectively, 11.4, 11.4 and 11.6 C per 1 ha, after winter crops - 10.3 C, corn for silage - 9.3 C, peas - 9.0 C and monocrop - 7.7 C per 1 ha. The yield increase from the fertilized ground was obtained within five rotations respectively for these precursors: 0.4, 0.6, 0.6, 1.0, 0.8, 0.3 and 0.9 C from 1 ha. The research was carried out in accordance with the plan for 2020-2021developed by the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «Federal Scientific Center of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences» (№ 0761-2019-0003).

In order to achieve an attractive and differentiated product for the consumer and to optimize and to maximize profitability for the farmers within the EU Protected Geographical Indication “Carne de Ávila”, 24 yearling males of Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed were used to evaluate the effect of 2 feeding systems, concentrate (CON) and maize silage (SIL), and 2 packaging systems, vacuum (VAC) and modified atmosphere (MAP), on fatty acid composition, proximate analysis, water holding capacity and consumer acceptability of meat in 2 muscles: Longissimus thoracis (LT) and Semitendinosus (ST). Animals fed with concentrate showed higher carcass weight. However, feeding did not affect the proximate analysis of the meat. The use of maize silage improved the amount of conjugated linoleic acid and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the relation n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA. In LT muscle, feeding influenced texture, samples from SIL being more tender. The VAC packaging showed higher cooking losses than MAP in both muscles. Aging increased tenderness and cooking losses but decreased thawing losses. LT samples from SIL feeding were better accepted by consumers and VAC packaging showed higher scores than MAP. We can conclude that the use of maize silage could be an alternative feeding for this type of animals improving some aspects of the quality of the meat.

The article presents the results of research on studying the influence of plant standing density and level of mineral fertilization on the productivity of sugar maize of hybrid Moreland F1 on sod-podzolic soils under conditions of Ivano-Frankivsk region. It was found that the highest field germination of seeds was observed in the variant with application of mineral fertilizers in the dose N135P90K125+N60+N30, and the lowest - in the control without fertilizers. Application of mineral fertilizers was favorable for better plant survival, which was 82.5-84.9%. The best indices of harvest structure were provided by the crops of sugar maize under agro-technical complex with nutrition background N135P90K125+ N60+ N30 and plant density 60 thousand/ha, namely: quantitative yield of grain from the commodity cob - 445.2 pieces; dimensions of commodity cob without covers - 17.1 cm in length and 4.3 cm in diameter; weight of commodity cob - in covers 181.6, without covers - 138.7 g; mass yield of grain from the commodity cob - 65.5 g. The highest level of crop yield was achieved with fertilization background N135P90K125+N60+N30 and plant density of 70 thousand/ha, namely 5.56 t/ha. Keywords: Sugar maize; Plant standing density; Mineral fertilizers; Yield References Vihrachov V. M., Berdin, S. I. (2010). Use of modeling to optimize the density of corn stalks for silage using natural soil fertility. Visnik Sumskogo NAU, seriya “Agronomiya i biologiya“, 4 (19), - P. 67-71. Pysarenko V. A., Lavrynenko Yu. O., Pysarenko P. V. (1999). Ways to improve corn technology for grain irrigation under conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Ahrarnyi visnyk Prychornomor’ia: Zbirnyk naukovykh prats. Silskohospodarski nauky. Odesa, 3 (6), II, - P. 63-67. Hlushko T. V. (2010). Yields of corn hybrids of different groups of ripeness on grain depending on the background of nutrition and biological products. Zroshuvane zemlerobstvo. Zbirnyk naukovykh prats. Kherson: Ailant, V. 55, - P. 15-27. Tsykov V. S. (1998). Corn - for food and industrial purposes. Propozytsiia, V. 7, - P. 20-23. Radchenko M. V., Butenko A. O., Glupak Z. I. (2018). Effect of fertilizer system and efficiency of growth regulator on buckwheat productivity in the conditions of the northeastern forest-steppe of Ukraine. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology. 8(2), N€. 89-94. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15421/2018_314. Zhuzhukin V. I. (1992). Sugar corn s a promising vegetable crop. Stepnye prostory, V. 5, - P. 32-38. Karpenko O. Yu., Rozhko V. M., Butenko A. O., Masyk I. M., Malynka L. V., Didur I. M., Vereshchahin I. V., Chyrva A. S., Berdin S. I. (2019). Post-harvest siderates impact on the weed littering of maize, 2019, 9(3), 300-303. DOI: 10.15421 / 2019_745 Skubytskyi I. I. (1994). Corn reaction. V. 79-80, - P. 16-21. Litvinov D. V., Butenko A. O., Onychko V. I., Onychko T. O., Malynka L. V., Masyk I. M., Bondarieva L. M., Ihnatieva O. L. (2019). Parameters of biological circulation of phytomass and nutritional elements in crop rotations. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 9(3), 92-98. DOI: 10.15421 / 2019_714 Marenichenko M. V. (2005). Influence of plant standing density and nutritional background on corn yield on hybridization plots. Biuleten Instytutu zernovoho hospodarstva UAAN, V. 23-24, - P. 65-68. Butenko A. O., Sobko M. G., Ilchenko V. O., Radchenko M. V., Hlupak Z. I., Danylchenko L. M., Tykhonova O. M. (2019). Agrobiological and ecological bases of productivity increase and genetic potential implementation of new buckwheat cultivars in the conditions of the Northeastern Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 9 (1), - P. 162-168. Lytvynov S. S. (2011). Methods of field experience in vegetable growing. Moskva: RASHN VNIIO, 650 N€. Bondarenko H. L., Yakovenko K. I. (2001). Methodology of experimental business in vegetable growing and melons. Kharkiv: Osnova, 366 p. Abramenko V. H., Malychenko L. P. (1966). Features of biology and agricultural engineering of sweet corn during irrigation in the northern partof theVolga-Akhtuba flood plain. Ediblecorn. Moskva, - P. 28-32. Lykhochvor V. V., Prots R. R. (2002). Maize. Lviv: NVF "Ukrainski tekhnolohii", 48 N€. Kolisnyk O. M., Butenko A. O., Malynka L. V., Masik I. M., Onychko V. I., Onychko T. O., Kriuchko L. V., Kobzhev O. M. (2019). Adaptive properties of maize forms for improvement in the ecological status of fields. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 2019, 9(2), - P. 33-37. Pashchenko Yu. M. (2010). Corn sugar - hybrids, cultivation technology, seed production: scientific and methodological recommendations. Dnipropetrovsk: Instytut zernovoho hospodarstva NAAN Ukrainy, 24 p.

Evaluation of inclusion of hay, dampened hay, and silage in receiving diets of newly weaned beef calves

Silomais ist eine wichtige Kulturpflanze in Deutschland. In dieser Kultur ist Echinochloa crus-galli eine der Hauptunkrautarten. Fur die Unkrautkontrolle im Mais gehort der Einsatz von Herbiziden zur gangigen Praxis, dies beeinflusst Nichtzielorganismen und die Umwelt jedoch negativ. Samenpradation gehort zu den wichtigen Okosystemdienstleistungen, deren Wert innerhalb der Unkrautkontrolle jedoch unbekannt ist. Um das gesellschaftliche Bewusstsein fur Okosystemdienstleistungen zu steigern, ist es unser Ziel den wirtschaftlichen Nutzen dieser Leistung zu berechnen. In welchem Umfang Landwirte von den Samenpradatoren profitieren konnen, ist von der Unkrautkontrolle abhangig. Es werden Anbaudaten landwirtschaftlicher Praxisbetriebe in Nordostdeutschland analysiert, um Muster in den Herbizidanwendungen zu charakterisieren. Erganzt durch Daten aus einem Feldexperiment wird in dieser Fallstudie der wirtschaftliche Nutzen von Samenpradatoren fur den Maisanbau 2013 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern eingeschatzt. Diese Fallstudie reprasentiert die erste okonomische Einschatzung der Okosystemdienstleistung Samenpradation.