Silage Research Articles

Effects of row spacing and plant density on silage yield of corn (Zea mays L.cv.sc704) in two plant pattern in North of Iran

In order to investigate the effects of row spacing and plant density on silage yield corn in two plant pattern, an experimental design was a randomized complete block in a factorial, treatments arrangement with three replications in north of Iran in 2009. Row spacing was included 65, 75 and 85 cm that evaluated in plant density 70000 and 80000 plant in ha-1 and plant pattern were conventional row (linear) and new two rows (zigzag). The results indicated that row spacing and plant density did not significantly affect in biological yield and silage yield. New two rows had more biological yield (24%) than conventional row. New two rows pattern increased a plant fresh and dry weight, because plant height, stem diameter, ear length and ear diameter were high. There is negative between plant height and stem diameter. New two rows had increased silage yield of 29% related to conventional row. Difference was 3707 kg ha-1 between new two rows and conventional rows. High row spacing increased leaf fresh weight (10.4%) and stem fresh weight (4.7%), but decreased ear fresh weight (4.6%) relation to low row spacing. High plant density increased leaf fresh weight (1.3%) and stem fresh weight (7.1%) ear fresh weight (6.7%) relation to low plant density. We conclude that silage corn responds to plant pattern and new two rows is higher for biological yield than conventional rows. Finally, new two rows had greater biological yield(19.1 Mg ha–1) and silage yield (53.3 Mg ha–1) than conventional row, increasing the probability of corn silage harvest before a fall frost. Key words: Forage, biological yield, conventional row, plant height.

Olive cake, citrus pulp and wheat straw silage as an ingredient in lamb diets: 1. Effects on growth and carcass characteristics

In the Mediterranean area the olive cake and the citrus (orange) pulp are two important agro-industrial by-products. Their elimination can have high costs. These two by-products are used separately or as part of mixture in animal feeding since many years (Accardi et al., 1979; Dattilo and Congiu, 1995; Hadjipanayiotou, 1999; Scerra et al., 2001)...

Administration of biogenic amines to Saanen kids: effects on growth performance and meat quality

Biogenic amines are low molecular weight organic bases present in all organisms. The most common are putrescine, cadaverine, spermine, spermidine, histamine, tryptamine and β- phenylethylamine. In low concentrations they are essential for the normal growth and differentiation of cells (Bardocz et al., 1995), but in larger quantities are harmful to humans and livestock. Biogenic amines are naturally present in silage; however their presence in high concentrations may be a sign of undesirable changes in the fermented forage and has been linked to low feed intake in ruminants (Van Os et al., 1996; 1997)...

The effects of Sepiolite-SPLF on heavy pigs fed liquid diets

Liquid feed delivery systems for pigs have tended to be more common in areas where liquid by-products (i.e. dairy whey) are readily available and where the size of the production unit can justify the capital expenditure involved. The potential advantages of liquid feeding include: a) reduction of feed loss during handling and feeding; b) improvement in the pig's environment due to the reduction of dust in the atmosphere; c) improved pig performance and feed conversion rate (Jensen and Mikkelsen, 1998; Dell’Orto et al., 1992); d) flexibility in raw material use (opportunity to utilise more economic food source, i.e. silages); e) improved dry matter intake in lactating sows. However, very few studies have been done concerning technical quality of the liquid feed with respect to homogeneity, fluidity and sedimentation (Hoppenbrock et al., 1998)...

Winter-feeding systems for gestating sheep II. Effects on feedlot performance, glucose tolerance, and carcass composition of lamb progeny1

Mature pregnant crossbred ewes (n = 90) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment and were assigned to 1 of 3 winter-feeding systems differing in primary feed source: haylage (HL), limit-fed corn (CN), or limit-fed dried distillers grains (DDGS). Effects of these winter-feeding strategies on postweaning progeny performance were determined. Lamb progeny (n = 96) were weaned at 61 ± 4 d of age and fed a common high-concentrate diet. Lambs were assigned to feedlot pen (n = 18) based on dam mid-gestation pen. Growth rate, DMI, and ADG were determined for the first 40 d of the finishing period. At 96 ± 4 d of age, 1 wether lamb was randomly selected from each pen (n = 18) for a glucose tolerance test. The experiment was terminated, and lambs were slaughtered individually when they were determined to have achieved 0.6-cm 12th-rib fat thickness. After a 24-h chill, carcass data were collected and a 2.54-cm chop was removed from each lamb from the LM posterior to the 12th rib for ether extract analysis. Additional carcass measurements of bone, muscle, and fat from the shoulder, rack, loin, and leg were collected on 35 carcasses. At weaning, lamb BW was not different among treatments, whereas final BW tended to be greater (P = 0.09) for lambs from ewes fed DDGS and CN during gestation than from those fed HL. Overall lamb growth rate from birth to slaughter was not different among treatments. Lambs from ewes fed DDGS vs. CN or HL tended to have a greater initial insulin response (P = 0.09). Dressing percent was less (P = 0.04) in lambs from ewes fed DDGS, but no difference (P = 0.16) was detected in HCW among treatments. As expected, 12th rib fat thickness was similar among treatments, whereas LM area was largest to smallest (P = 0.05) in lambs from ewes fed CN, HL, and DDGS, respectively. Proportion of internal fat tended to be greatest to smallest (P = 0.06) in lambs from ewes fed DDGS, CN, and HL, respectively. Calculated boneless trimmed retail cuts percentage was less (P = 0.04) in lambs from ewes fed DDGS than CN or HL. Loin muscle weight as a percentage of wholesale cut tended (P = 0.10) to be greater in lambs from ewes fed CN and HL than DDGS, whereas other muscle, bone, and fat weights and proportions were similar (P > 0.24) among treatments. Prepartum diet during mid to late gestation of ewes altered postnatal fat and muscle deposition and may be associated with alterations in insulin sensitivity of progeny.

Winter-feeding systems for gestating sheep I. Effects on pre- and postpartum ewe performance and lamb progeny preweaning performance1

Mature pregnant crossbred ewes (n = 90) were used in a randomized complete block design and assigned to 1 of 3 winter-feeding systems differing in primary feed source: haylage (HL), limit-fed corn (CN), or limit-fed dried distillers grains (DDGS). Effects of these winter-feeding strategies on ewe and lamb performance were determined. Diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC (1985) nutrient requirements during gestation and were fed from about d 60 of gestation until parturition. All ewes were fed a common diet postpartum. Every 2 wk during gestation, BW and BCS were collected and diets were adjusted to maintain similar BW gain for ewes fed CN and DDGS vs. HL. At 80 and 122 d of gestation, jugular blood samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 9 h postfeeding to measure plasma glucose, insulin, NEFA, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations. At birth, 6 lambs per treatment were killed to measure body composition. At 28 ± 2 d postpartum, milk yield was measured. Lambs were weaned at 61 ± 4 d of age. During mid gestation (d 60 to 115), BW gain of ewes was similar among treatments; however, at d 115 of gestation ewes fed HL had a smaller (P = 0.04) BCS than ewes fed DDGS or CN. Plasma glucose concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.004) in ewes fed CN than in those fed HL or DDGS just before feeding on d 80 and 122 of gestation, whereas ewes fed DDGS vs. CN or HL had greater (P ≤ 0.04) plasma insulin concentrations at 3 h postfeeding. At parturition, ewe BW was greatest for DDGS, least for HL, and intermediate for CN (P ≤ 0.003). Ewes fed CN and DDGS had greater BCS at parturition than those fed HL, but by weaning, ewes fed DDGS had greater BCS (P ≤ 0.05) than those fed CN or HL. Birth BW tended (P = 0.09) to be heavier for lambs from ewes fed CN and DDGS than from those fed HL prepartum, but there was no difference (P = 0.19) due to ewe gestation diet on lamb BW at weaning. At birth, lamb muscle, bone, organ, and fat measures were not affected (P > 0.13) by treatment. Ewe milk production and lamb preweaning ADG were also similar (P > 0.44) among treatments. Prepartum dam winter feed source did not have detrimental effects on pre- or postpartum ewe performance, but altered prepartum maternal nutrient supply during gestation, which affected birth weight but not preweaning growth or mortality.

Kinetics fermentation and gas production of the neutral detergent-soluble fraction of fresh forage, silage and hay of Avena sativa

Neutral detergent treatment to evaluate the structural polysaccharides (NDF) removes soluble sugars, pectin substances, starch and the non-carbohydrate fraction (Van Soest, 1991). Despite the widely recognized importance of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrates (NDS) in the early stages of forage digestion, little is known about their digestion kinetics because most in vitro methods have studied the disappearance of insoluble cell wall components. However, knowledge of the degradation characteristics of both fractions is very important to formulate balanced diets for high-yielding animals. Using the in vitro gas production system........

Biology and survival of broom corn millet (<i>Panicum miliaceum</i>) seed

The wild type of broom corn millet (Panicum miliaceum) is a serious emerging weed currently prevalent in New Zealand sweet corn (Zea mays) crops This study shows its seed is nearly twice the weight of other common grass weeds and can germinate in the temperature range 1634C with 50 germination at 26C and greatest germination occurring at 31C At 15C it took 8 days for seedlings to emerge but required only 4 days at 25C Seed was able to emerge from depths of up to 170 mm in a range of soils Experiments showed that broom corn millet seed can persist in the soil for longer than 2 years in the field but is killed in silage stack and bales Immersion in stock effluent for up to three months reduced seed germination to less than 40 These characteristics are discussed in relation to herbicide and management control options for this weed

A study on the food habits of Sika Deer (Saanen) fed with roughage sources

Abstract : The object of this experiment was to investigate the food habits of sika deer fed with various roughage sources. The experimental trials were conducted at Unbong Animal Genetic Resources Station in 2008. The experimental roughages include five sources and 25 species in all; grasses and legumes: 5 species (mixed grasses, orchardgrass, tall fescue, alfalfa, white clover), native grasses and weeds: 5 species (mixed native grasses, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss, Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) Tanaka, barnyard grass, short awn, forage crops (hay, silages and straw): 5 species (barley + hairy vetch, Wheat + hairy vetch, rye silage, barley silage, baled rice straw), browse and fallen leaves: 5 species (mixed browse, oriental white oak, Quercus serrta Thunb., oriental cherry fallen leaves, Japanese chestnut fallen leaves), and imported hays and straws: 5 species (timothy hay, tall fescue straw, annual ryegrass straw, klinegrass hay, alfalfa hay). Five sika deer were used as experimental animals and the averaged body weight was 95+5.4kg. The chemical composition and dry matter digestibility of each roughage source and species were significantly different at the sampling area, plant species, growth stages and cutting period(p<0.05). The sika deer ate more roughages which had low fibrous contents, but high dry matter digestibility. Among all the 25 species of roughages, the favorite intake roughage sources ranking by sika deer was observed like this: browse and fallen leaves (32.2%), grass and legumes (27.0%), native grasses and weeds (22.0%), imported hays (12.9%) and forages crops (5.5%) respectively. Although, the sika deer ate more browse leaves, but ate more roughage which had low fibrous contents (NDF and ADF), but high drymatter digestibility. On the other hand, compared to each roughage source, total intake amount by sika deer was showed as browse and fallen leaves (32.2%). Based on the result, the food habit of sika deer seems to be closer to the typical browser.

飼料用サトウキビサイレージの給与が黒毛和種去勢牛の育成期における飼料摂取量と増体に及ぼす影響

飼料用サトウキビサイレージの給与が黒毛和種去勢牛の育成期における飼料摂取量と増体に及ぼす影響

Determining Possible Relationships between Yield and Yield-Related Components in Forage Maize (Zea mays L.) Using Correlation and Path Analyses

This study was carried out to determine the optimum plant density and nitrogen rate in maize (Zea mays L.) under the ecological conditions of the Southern Marmara Region. For this purpose, maize was grown at different plant densities and was fertilized with different rates of nitrogen during 2006 and 2007. The dry forage yield, plant height, first ear height, stem diameter, leaf number plant-1, ear number plant-1, leaf ratio, stem ratio, ear ratio, ear diameter, leaf area index, and light interception were measured for all the treatments applied. The values of each parameter mentioned above were reorganized without regard to treatments or with regard to the highest and lowest values of plant density and nitrogen rates and were evaluated to determine the relationships between the dry forage yield and yield-related components. For this purpose, the direct and indirect effects of the corresponding components on dry forage yield were determined by using correlation and path analyses methods. The data averaged over two years, regardless of the treatment effects indicated that the relationship between the dry forage yield and each yield component except for stem ratio was positively significant. Path analysis revealed that most of the yield components had direct effects on the dry forage yield. According to this study, greater priority must be given to first ear height, leaf ratio and light interception to optimize silage maize yield. When the highest and the lowest plant densities and nitrogen rates were considered, it was understood that the nitrogen application had a greater effect on the dry forage yield than the plant density did.

Effects of water desalination on milk production and several blood constituents of Holstein cows in a hot arid climate

Summary Fourteen primiparous Holstein cows (180.0 ± 4.3 days in milk) with a mean (±SD) daily milk yield of 35.0 ± 1.3 kg and a body condition score of 3.2 ± 0.2 were allotted into two groups (n = 7), and were fed a ration consisting of (dry matter basis) 35% corn silage, 25% alfalfa hay and 40% concentrates. Salt was provided free choice. The experiment was performed during the period of heat stress, i.e., when the temperature-humidity index was greater than 72. One group was offered desalinated water containing 570 mg total dissolved solids (TDS) and another group was offered water containing 1400 mg TDS per L. Milk yield was measured weekly, and milk samples were taken on days 21 and 42 for determination of milk composition. Blood samples were taken on days 21 and 42 from the median caudal vein of the tail and the serum concentrations of Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were measured. Ruminal fluid was taken by rumenocentesis on day 42 for determination of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and pH. Milk yield, milk composition, serum concentrations of T3 and T4, Na + , Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , ruminal fluid VFA concentration and pH were not significantly affected by water TDS (P>0.05); however, cows receiving desalinated water produced 2 kg more milk per cow per day. Serum K + concentration was significantly higher in cows consuming saline water (P<0.05). The present data indicated that water with a TDS of 1400 mg per L had no adverse effect on lactating cows; therefore, it is not necessary to desalinate water in the region under study. However, in light of the possible effects of saline water on thyroid hormones, further studies concerning the influence of saline water on the metabolism of high producing cows in hot climates are warranted.

Studies on the Survival of Infective Larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora in Silage Grass Containing Formic Acid

Summary The survival of infective larvae of a mixture of O. Ostertagi and C. oncophora was tested in fresh grass silage with addition of 4 litres of 87% formic acid per ton under field conditions during autumn. At a maximal temperature of + 33 °C and pH 4.2, 10% of the tested larvae were still viable after 40 days. After 50 days, all larvae had lost their viability. Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen uber das Uberleben infektionsfahiger Larven von Ostertagia ostertagi und Cooperia oncophora in ameisensaurehaltiger Grassilage Es wurde das Uberleben infektionsfahiger Larven einer Mischung der Spezies Ostertagia ostertagi und Cooperia oncophora in frischer Grassilage, der 4 Liter 87%iger Ameisensaure pro Tonne zugegeben worden war, gepruft. Der Test fand unter Feldbedingungen wahrend der Herbstmonate statt. Bei einer Maximaltemperatur von + 33 °C und einem pH-Wert von 4,2 waren nach 40 Tagen 10% der getesteten Larven noch lebensfahig. Nach 50 Tagen hatten alle Larven ihre Lebensfahigkeit verloren.

Measuring Apparatus of Cutting Resistance on the Ensilage Cutter

Measuring Apparatus of Cutting Resistance on the Ensilage Cutter

Effects of compaction and maturity stages on sunflower silage quality.

The aim of this research was to determine sunflower silage quality under different compaction conditions of the whole-plant sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) harvested at three different maturity stages. These were the beginning of Anthesis, one-third Milk Line, and Black Line. Five compaction applications (control, vacuum and compaction with 150, 248 and 498 kPa) were carried out in the study. For this purpose, cylindrical plastic mini-silos (5.2 L) were used. The chopped forages were compacted in mini-silos at five pressure levels. Each treatment was ensiled for 50 days in cylindrical plastic mini-silos (5.2 L) silos with three replications. This study showed that compaction level and maturity stage had significant effects on silage quality (p < 0.05). The dry-matter content increased in the silages with maturity. The best results were observed when harvesting at the stage of one-third Milk Line and compaction with the level 498 kPa. Key words: Sunflower silage, maturity stage, compaction level

A Study on Utilization of Mixed Wild Flowers as a Silage Materials

This experiment was conducted to investigate the quality of wild flowers and mixed wild flower silages. Silage materials employed ochardgrass and mixed wild flower (orchardgrass, white clover, Achillea sibirica Ledeb., Coreopsistinctoria Nutt., Rudbeckiabicolor Nutt., Centaureacyanus L.). Six kilograms of silage materials cut from each treatment were divided into 3 containers, packed by vacuum, and fermented for 40 days. The orchardgrass silage showed significantly higher contents of crude protein than that of mixed wild flower silage. But the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents of orchardgrass silage were significantly lower than those of mixed wild flower silage. pH and butyric acid of orchardgrass silage were significantly lower than those of mixed wild flower silage, and significantly higher in lactic acid contents. It appears that water soluble carbohydrates needs to be supplemented, being grounded on the results above, into wild flower materials both with high fiber materials and with low substances which need lactic acid fermentation.

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.

AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DAS SILAGENS DE GIRASSOL, MILHO, SORGO E MILHETO EM DIFERENTES ESPAÇAMENTOS

O experimento foi realizado no Campus da FAFRAM, Faculdade “Dr. Francisco Maeda”, no&#x0D; município de Ituverava – SP, com objetivo de avaliar a qualidade de silagem nas culturas de girassol, milho,&#x0D; milheto e sorgo em diferentes espaçamentos. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, em um&#x0D; esquema fatorial 4 x 4 (4 culturas e 4 espaçamentos), totalizando 16 tratamentos com duas repetições. Cada&#x0D; parcela foi constituída por três metros lineares, espaçadas de 0,50, 0,60, 0,70 e 0,80 metros. Os dados foram&#x0D; submetidos à análise de variância e comparação das médias pelo teste de Tukey, tendo estabelecido o nível de 5%&#x0D; de probabilidade de erro. A análise bromatológica das silagens foi realizada para obter as porcentagens de matéria&#x0D; seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) e nitrogênio. As análises foram realizadas pelo laboratório de bromatologia da&#x0D; Faculdade Dr. Francisco Maeda – FAFRAM. A cultura do sorgo apresentou 28,49 % de matéria seca e a cultura do&#x0D; milheto apresentou 7,32 % de proteína bruta e 1,17 % de nitrogênio, sendo porcentagens significativas. Quanto aos&#x0D; espaçamentos de 0,50, 0,60, 0,70 e 0,80 m as médias de % MS, % PB e % N não foram significativas. Concluiu-se&#x0D; que, a cultura que se destacou nas porcentagens de matéria seca foi o sorgo e nas porcentagens de proteína bruta&#x0D; foi a do milheto. Independentemente dos espaçamentos, as silagens apresentaram boas qualidades.

Prospects for Non-Traditional Plant Species Cultivated for Forage in Lithuania

The changing climate and increasing number of animal species raised, especially in the organic farming systems, require a new approach to the expansion of the range of plant species grown for forage. In Lithuania’s agroclimatic conditions, such plant species as amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet or chumiza (Setaria italica) can be successfully grown for grain and produce almost the same yield and even better chemical composition than conventional oats or barley. In 2006-2007, two trials were conducted at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture, where one amaranth, three proso millet, two foxtail millet and some other species’ cultivars and accessions were grown for green mass and dry matter yield. Using almost the same agrotechnics as for spring cereals, two cuts were taken annually. Green mass, dry matter yield and chemical composition showed that many of the tested cultivars and accessions of the non-traditional plants for our agroclimatic region in both dry 2006 and wet 2007 year produced rather high yield and can be used as forage for many animal species as green mass, hay or silage.

Cinética de fermentação ruminal de silagens de milheto

Avaliaram-se a degradabilidade da matéria seca e a cinética de fermentação ruminal das silagens de três genótipos de milheto (BRS-1501, NPM-1 e CMS-3), por meio da técnica in vitro semi-automática de produção de gases. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas. Para a comparação dos genótipos, foi utilizado o teste SNK (P&lt;0,05), e os parâmetros da cinética de fermentação foram ajustados ao modelo unicompartimental de France. A partir de 24 horas, a silagem do genótipo BRS-1501 foi a que apresentou maior produção acumulativa de gases. Os valores de degradabilidade da matéria seca apresentados às 96 horas de fermentação foram de 53,9% para a silagem do BRS-1501, 51,7% para a silagem do CMS-3 e 49,1% para a silagem do NPM-1, sendo este o material com menor degradabilidade (P&lt;0,05). Os potenciais máximos de produção de gases variaram de 145,18 para o genótipo CMS-3 a 155,02ml/g de MS para o BRS-1501. A silagem do genótipo BRS-1501 destacou-se entre as demais, em função do seu maior potencial de produção de gases e degradabilidades efetivas.