Wet Alfalfa Research Articles

Effect of sodium lignosulfonate and propionic acid application rate on dry matter losses, nutritional composition, in vitro gas production, and fungal populations of high moisture alfalfa hay mini bales

This study evaluated the effects of application rate (AR) of sodium lignosulfonate (MBL) and propionic acid (PRP) on high moisture alfalfa hay spoilage during storage and its nutritive value. Treatments (TRT; MBL and PRP) were applied at four AR: 0 (CON), 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg (fresh basis) to alfalfa hay at 68.5 % dry matter (DM), packed into mini bales and stored for 33 d. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 TRT × 4 AR factorial arrangement. At d 33, DM losses were decreased by PRP at 5 and 10 g/kg (x¯=0.9), vs. CON (6.92) and MBL (6.63 ± 1.13 %). Visual moldiness (0–10 ranking) and mold counts were also decreased by PRP at 5 (2.4 and 5.30) and 10 g/kg (0 and 2.7) relative to CON (6.0 and 7.13) and MBL (5.85 ± 0.67 and 7.21 ± 0.31 log cfu/fresh g, respectively). Both TRT kept aNDF and ADF concentrations low at 2.5 g/kg AR (464 and 319) and to a greater extent at 10 g/kg (442 and 307), relative to CON (494 ± 8.1 and 333 ± 4.71 g/kg DM, respectively; P<0.001). Both TRT increased apparent in vitro DM digestibility at all AR relative to CON (x¯=543 vs. 501 ± 12.0 g/kg of DM, respectively), but, compared to MBL, PRP also increased the asymptotic maximal gas produced (188.4 vs. 179.7 ± 4.82 mL/g of incubated DM), the rate of gas production (9.46 vs. 8.72 ± 0.45 %/h), and total volatile fatty acids (117.5 vs. 114.8 mM, respectively; P<0.035), due to its greater concentration of nutrients. In conclusion, MBL failed to prevent spoilage of high moisture alfalfa hay while PRP was effective at doses >5 g/kg. However, MBL prevented the increase of aNDF and improved in vitro DM digestibility to the same extent as PRP, possibly due to its strong surfactant properties.

Design of High Moisture Alfalfa Drying Experimental Bench and Thermodynamic Simulation of Drying Process

Design of High Moisture Alfalfa Drying Experimental Bench and Thermodynamic Simulation of Drying Process

The Investigation of the Fermentative, Chemical and Microbial Effects of Grape and Tangerine Pomace Added to High Moisture Alfalfa Silage

This study investigated the impact of grape pulp (GRP) and tangerine pulp (TNP) supplementation (10% each) on alfalfa silage quality. The control silage received no additives. After a two-month fermentation period, silage samples were analyzed for chemical composition, fermentation quality, microflora, and organic acids. According to our results, both silage additives effectively lowered pH levels and isobutyric acid, while increased Fleig score and lactic acid levels compared to control group. However, GRP supplementation significantly increased the levels of crude protein (CP), yeast-mold colony count, and butyric acid levels. Conversely, TNP supplementation resulted in higher levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), valeric acid and lower acetic acid levels in the alfalfa silage samples. In conclusion, both GRP and TNP supplements have distinct effects on the chemical composition, silage quality, microflora, and organic acid profiles of alfalfa silage. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing alfalfa silage production and its utilization in animal nutrition. Further research could explore optimal inclusion rates and potential synergistic effects with other additives to enhance silage quality.

PSIII-11 Effects of Inoculation of Alfalfa Hay with Pediococcus Pentosaceus and α-Amylase on Hay Temperature, Microbial Ecology, Nutrient Composition, and Feed Value

Abstract Haying in the Midwest is challenging, with excessive spring and early summer precipitation followed by unpredictable rain events throughout the growing months, forcing farmers to be innovative and resort to novel haying practices. High moisture haying with lactic acid bacterial (LAB) inoculants allows farmers to harvest earlier with less expenditure. This study examined how inoculating high-moisture alfalfa hay with Pediococcus pentosaceus and α-amylase (Magniva for Hay; Lallemand Animal Nutrition, Milwaukee, WI) affected hay temperature, microbial ecology, nutritional content, and feed value. Alfalfa was harvested at the late flowering stage and allowed to wilt in windrows for two days until the moisture level dropped to 20-25%, at which point half of the field was baled (20 bales) with the inoculant at 1.25 L ton-1, providing 1.0 × 106 cfu g-1 fresh forage of Pediococcus pentosaceus (NCIMB 12675) and 2.5 × 106 units of α-amylase (INOC). Uninoculated alfalfa baled at 15–18% moisture (20 bales) served as control (CON). The hay bales were stored under cover and sampled using a hay corer on days 0, 60, 120, and 180 to evaluate nutrient composition, microbial ecology, and feed value. Dallas Thermochron iButton sensors (Embedded Data Systems, Lawrenceburg, KY) were inserted into the center of hay bales during day 0 sampling (20 sensors per treatment) to measure the temperature every 4 h over 180 days. The core holes were air-tightened with alfalfa hay after installing the iButton sensors. SAS (SAS Institute Inc., 2012) mixed model technique was used to assess repeated measurements with treatment (T), day (D), and T × D effects. CON had greater LAB counts (log10 cfu g-1 DM) than INOC (7.45 vs. 7.11; P = 0.03) during storage. On days 0, 120, and 180 of storage, INOC had lower yeast counts (P &amp;lt; 0.02) than CON (T × D interaction). INOC exhibited higher core temperatures (P &amp;lt; 0.03) than CON on days 14, 21, and 28 of storage, peaking at 46.7°C on day 14. INOC reported lower DM than CON on days 60 and 120 of storage (P &amp;lt; 0.03). INOC had a higher CP concentration (18.0 vs. 16.9; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) than CON throughout storage. On days 60, 120, and 180 of storage, INOC had increased ADICP and NDICP (% DM) concentrations than CON (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Results indicated that inoculation of high moisture alfalfa hay with LAB inoculants is a viable alternative for farmers in the Midwest severely impacted by unpredictable weather events due to global warming. Further studies will provide detailed information on nutrient degradability and utilization for livestock production.

Effects of small-scale silo types and additives on silage fermentation and bacterial community of high moisture alfalfa on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Alfalfa is cultivated throughout the world, but its preservation remains challenging to small farms in cold climates. This study aimed to investigate the effects of small-scale silo types and additives on the silage quality of high moisture alfalfa on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Alfalfa with moisture of about 80% was ensiled in small farm bucket silos (FBS) or wrapped bale silos (WBS) at ambient temperature (5–15 °C) for 180 days. At ensiling, forage was treated without any additive (CK) or with a chemical additive (SB; a mixture of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and sodium nitrite) or a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant (PBB; a mixture of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium brevis and Pediococcus pentosaceus). Among the CK silages, higher (P < 0.05) acetic acid levels, bacterial diversity indices and relative abundance of L. plantarum were found in WBS vs FBS. Overall, silage treated with SB had the highest crude protein (CP) content, the lowest amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents and dry matter (DM) loss. Compared with CK, treatments with SB and PBB increased (P < 0.05) lactic acid content and decreased (P < 0.05) final pH value and butyric acid content of silage. In addition, treatment with PBB reduced (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Lactilactobacillus sakei and increased (P < 0.05) the similarity of silage samples from different silos. There was negligible difference in fermentation quality of silage occurred between the types of silos. However, small WBS tended to increase the relative abundance of L. plantarum for more desirable silage fermentation. Application of additives at ensiling enhanced the preservation of silage nutrients with low DM loss. Based on the above results, small WBS were recommended for producing high-quality alfalfa silage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Effect of lignosulfonates on the dry matter loss, nutritional value, and microbial counts of high moisture alfalfa silage

In this experiment, we evaluated the effects of sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and magnesium lignosulfonate (MgL) applied independently at 0, 5, 10, and 15 (g/kg, fresh weight basis) and an inoculant (INO) on high-moisture (DM: 219 g/kg, fresh weight basis) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage nutrient preservation. The INO consisted of Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus plantarum applied at a rate of 4.95 and 4.00 log cfu/g (fresh weight basis), respectively. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD; 5 blocks) and linear and quadratic polynomial contrasts were used to determine dose rate effects for NaL and MgL and orthogonal contrasts for INO effects. At d 0, increasing NaL dose from 0 to 15 g/kg increased linearly DM (219–227 g/kg) and decreased linearly mold counts (4.48–3.62 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis). No treatment effects were observed on lactic acid bacteria counts (7.04 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis), water soluble carbohydrates (61.5), and aNDF (432 g/kg of DM). After 229 d of ensiling, both MgL and INO increased DM loss (x¯= 13.7 and 13.7 vs 11.3% of DM) due to a lower production of lactic acid (x¯= 75.5 and 78.3 vs 92.3 g/kg of DM, respectively) which resulted in a higher pH relative to untreated silage (x¯= 4.41 and 4.46 vs 4.33; respectively). Increasing doses from 0 (6.42) to 15 g/kg for both NaL (6.90) and MgL (7.06 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis) resulted in linear and quadratic increases of lactic acid bacteria counts, respectively. These counts were also higher in INO treated silages (6.98 log cfu/g; fresh weight basis), relative to untreated silage. Furthermore, both NaL and MgL decreased in vitro ruminal total volatile fatty acid concentration (x = 87.0 and 93.1 vs 97.1 mM; respectively), compared with the untreated silage. The greater acidification in untreated silage prevented additives tested from reducing the generation of NH3-N (x¯= 110 g/kg of N) during ensiling. Overall, none of the additives tested improved the preservation of high-moisture alfalfa silage nutrients beyond what was observed in untreated.

PSXI-12 Effect of application rate of sodium lignosulfonate and propionic acid on in vitro digestibility and gas production kinetics of high moisture alfalfa hay mini bales

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of application rate (AR) of sodium lignosulfonate and propionic acid on the in vitro fermentation measures of high moisture alfalfa hay. Treatments (TRT) were sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and Propionic Acid (PRP), which were applied at four AR: 0 (CON), 0.25, 0.5 and 1% (w/w fresh basis) to 20% bloom alfalfa hay (second cut) at 68.5% DM and packed into mini bales (10.3×10.8×13cm; 346 kg fresh/m3). The treated bales were stored for 33 days in open-top insulation boxes in a room kept at 22°C, after which they were dried, ground to 1 mm and incubated in vitro for 48hr with ruminal fluid from two ruminally cannulated Holstein cows in lactation. Gas kinetics were recorded using the Ankom RF Gas Production System. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (TRT) x 4 (AR) factorial arrangement, and differences were declared at P ≤ 0.05. Both TRT increased apparent in vitro DM digestibility (DMD) at all AR relative to CON (54.3 vs 50.1 ± 1.20%, respectively). PRP increased asymptotic maximal (188.4) and rate of gas production (9.46) compared to NaL (179.7 ± 4.82 ml/g of incubated DM and 8.72 ± 0.45%/h, respectively). Total VFA were higher for PRP (117.5) vs NaL (114.8), and for both TRT at 1% relative to CON (118.9 vs. 113.8 ± 1.68mM). Acetate (A) was increased by both TRT at 1% (~73.5) and propionate (P) was increased by PRP at 1% (26.1) relative to CON (69.9 ± 1.10 and 24.2 ± 0.29mM, respectively), but the A:P ratio was higher for NaL at 1% (3.02) vs. CON (2.89 ± 0.04). In conclusion, NaL and PRP at 1% improved the rumen in vitro fermentation measures of high moisture alfalfa hay but PRP did so to a greater extent.

181 Effect of Application Rate of Sodium Lignosulfonate and Propionic Acid on DM Losses, Nutritional Composition, and Fungal Counts of High Moisture Alfalfa Hay Mini Bales

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of application rate (AR) of sodium lignosulfonate and propionic acid on high moisture alfalfa hay spoilage during storage. Treatments (TRT) were sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and Propionic Acid (PRP), which were applied at four AR: 0 (CON), 0.25, 0.5 and 1% (w/w fresh basis) to 20% bloom alfalfa hay (second cut) at 68.5% DM and packed into mini bales (10.3x10.8x13cm; 346kg fresh/m3). The treated bales were stored for 33 days in open-top insulation boxes in a room kept at 22°C. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (TRT) x 4 (AR) factorial arrangement, and differences were declared at P ≤ 0.05. At day 0, no differences were observed for DM (68.5 ± 0.61 %), CP (23.2 ± 0.31% DM), and NDF (42.6 ± 0.66% DM), but NaL had more sugars than PRP (0.99 vs. 0.87 ± 0.66% DM) and PRP at 1% reduced mold counts vs. CON (4.71 vs. 4.97 ± 0.05 log cfu/fresh g). At day 33, DM losses were decreased by PRP at 0.5 and 1% (0.9), relative to CON (6.92) and to NaL (6.63 ± 1.13%). Both TRT decreased NDF at 0.25% (46.3) and furthermore at 1% (44.2) relative to CON (49.4), but overall PRP had lower NDF (45.2) than NaL (47.2± 0.81% DM). No differences were observed for sugars and CP. Visual moldiness (0–10) and mold counts were also decreased by PRP at 0.5% (2.4 and 5.30) and 1% (0 and 2.7) relative to CON (6.0 and 7.13) and NaL (5.85 ± 0.67 and 7.21 ± 0.31 log cfu/fresh g, respectively). In conclusion, NaL failed to prevent spoilage of high moisture hay while PRP was effective at doses &amp;gt;0.5%.

Особливості розвитку популяцій люцерни за різних умов вирощування

Особливості розвитку популяцій люцерни за різних умов вирощування

96 Developing and validating near infrared spectroscopy prediction equations for fresh alfalfa using a hand-held device

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a staple in laboratories used to determine forage quality in an affordable and efficient manner compared with standard wet chemistry analysis. The use of hand-held, portable NIRS technology in the field has not been thoroughly developed but could potentially be a tool to measure forage quality at harvest. The objectives of this research were to formulate and validate NIRS predictive equations for in-field use on wet alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) using a hand-held NIRS device (NIR4 Farm, AB Vista, Marlborough, England). In 2019, alfalfa was hand-harvested from an existing stand, sorted by maturity, and chopped to 2.5-cm lengths (n = 100 samples). Alfalfa was scanned as-is by the NIRS device in a climate-controlled room to obtain spectral data. Samples were then ground to 1-mm lengths and thoroughly mixed before performing wet chemistry analysis. Predictive equations were developed using the data gathered through wet chemistry analysis. In 2020, alfalfa was hand-harvested from different existing stands, sorted by maturity, and chopped to 2.5-cm lengths (n = 102 samples). Samples were scanned in the field immediately after harvesting using the NIRS device containing the previously developed equations. Samples were then analyzed using wet chemistry. Data were analyzed using R (version 3.6.2) and significance was set at P < 0.05. Calibration statistics were generated based on the developed prediction equation for crude protein (CP). A linear model and an ANOVA were then used to determine differences between the wet chemistry and NIRS values for CP. Calibration statistics showed that the developed predictive equation for CP could predict results with acceptable accuracy (R 2 = 0.84; Standard Error of Calibration = 1.45). There was no significant difference between wet chemistry and NIRS values for CP ( P = 0.86; R 2 = 0.89; Standard Error of Prediction = 0.77). These findings suggests that the hand-held NIRS could accurately estimate the CP concentration of wet alfalfa. The ability to predict CP indicates that other forage quality parameters may also be predicted by the hand-held NIRS device.

Lactobacillus plantarum Inoculants Delay Spoilage of High Moisture Alfalfa Silages by Regulating Bacterial Community Composition.

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) involved in improving fermentation quality of naturally ensiled alfalfa under poor conditions. High-moisture wilted alfalfa was ensiled without inoculants (CK) or with inoculation of two L. plantarum additives (LPI and LPII). The pH and fermentation products of silage were determined after 30 and 90 days of ensiling. Additionally, the bacterial community compositions were analyzed. The L. plantarum inoculants significantly promoted lactic acid accumulation, and Lactobacillus abundance for both periods. At 90 days, silage in CK exhibited a high pH, a loss in dry matter, and a high concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen. The inoculations of L. plantarum significantly inhibited the growth of Clostridia, and reduced ammoniacal nitrogen concentration in silage (P < 0.05). Thus, inoculation with L. plantarum improved the fermentation quality of alfalfa silage and inhibited the growth of spoilage microorganisms, and further delayed spoilage of alfalfa silage under adverse ensiling conditions.

Effects of moisture content and additives on the ensiling quality and vitamins changes of alfalfa silage with or without rain damage.

We investigated the effects of moisture, rain damage, and additives on fermentation quality and vitamins change in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage. Two moisture content alfalfa (53 and 72% moisture content) were received artificial rain damage. Then, the formic acid and L. plantarum (LP)+sucrose were added. After 30days, silos were opened. The significant interaction between rain damage and moisture content were found for nutrients and fermentation characteristics in alfalfa silage, which showed more rain damage effects occurred in 53% moisture content rather than in 72% moisture content material. Treatment with LP+sucrose had lower pH value, ammonia-N/total N, and higher lactic acid content compared to the other additives. The concentrations of α-tocopherol and phylloquinone increased, but thiamine, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid decreased in alfalfa silage treated with LP+sucrose, especially when the alfalfa was subjected to rain damage. The highly significant correlations were found between pantothenic acid (VB5) and pH, and between VB5 and lactic acid. The improvements in fermentation quality by adding of LP+sucrose was observed after rain damage for either 53% or 72% moisture alfalfa, which can be a guideline for forage processor who ensiles alfalfa after rain damage.

Motherland

Motherland Isabelle Shifrin (bio) Click for larger view View full resolution Photo by Stephen Childs [End Page 82] June of that year was particularly hot, even for the high desert of southern Idaho. The sun glared down fiercely, and the cheatgrass on the hills below the basalt rimrocks all turned yellow earlier than usual, barbed heads nodding in the hot wind. The men who visited from the toothpaste branch of Galaxate Home Products said the mint crop should be good, but my father only said maybe. If you got your weeds, fertilizers, and bugs managed by the Fourth of July, then maybe. [End Page 83] Before that year, all my father’s pipe movers had stayed in institutional- looking green cinder-block housing near some fields we rented on top of a rimrock that overlooked our valley. We always called the ground on top of that rimrock “up on top.” There was beginning to be not enough room in the cinder-block housing up on top to accommodate all the pipe movers, so my father had Beltrán come down and live in a travel trailer at the mouth of the canyon, about a half-mile from our house. Beltrán was the natural choice to move into the valley. For various reasons he was deeply unpopular with the other workers who lived up on top. He had been with us the longest, ever since I was about seven. Maybe it was because of this that he refused to take direction from anyone but my father. He would not even take direction from Inocenzio, our foreman. After Beltrán came down to the valley to live in the travel trailer, my father realized that because he intended to expand the farm, the issue of living space for the workers up on top would likely get worse over time. He hired a contractor from town to build a small two-room house near Beltrán’s travel trailer. The man from town didn’t have time to finish painting the little house’s trim before he had to take another job, so in mid-June, my father told me and my older sister, Cassidy, he’d pay us to finish it. It was a good job. We’d be able to rack up a lot of hours. It was never too soon to start saving for back-to-school. Since Cassidy would be attending high school for the first time, she wanted an extra-cool wardrobe. We thought we’d be able to finish the job in just a few days. My mother agreed that we could do it as long as we got our housework done first. This was chiefly washing dishes and folding laundry, and it usually didn’t take too long. The first day on the job, we took Cassidy’s radio down to the little house. We plugged it into an extension cord and let it blare pop hits while we worked. Even by then, the mid-’90s, reception wasn’t great back there in the canyon. If you angled the wire clothes hanger we’d attached to the radio just right, though, you could hear Prince and Mariah Carey, Boyz 2 Men and Pearl Jam, intermittently coming through the static. It was especially blistering that day, so we started on the house’s shady side. I could smell the cheatgrass around the house baking, emitting a grain-like scent. The sun glared off the steel curve of Beltrán’s tiny trailer nearby, so we avoided looking at it. He wasn’t there at the moment. He was out in the fields working. Still, while I worked, I was dimly aware of [End Page 84] how swelteringly hot it must be inside the trailer. It didn’t have air conditioning or even proper insulation. We all knew Beltrán didn’t like living in the trailer. But it wasn’t because of the heat. He’d found ways of getting around that. During the hottest hours of the day, after he’d finished moving his morning pipas, which amounted to slogging through several miles of wet alfalfa carrying forty-foot irrigation pipes, he napped in...

Effects of mixing Neolamarckia cadamba leaves on fermentation quality, microbial community of high moisture alfalfa and stylo silage.

Summary Neolamarckia cadamba is not only a fodder of high nutritional value, but also a source of natural antimicrobial agent. The silage quality of high moisture alfalfa and stylo with or without N. cadamba leaves (NCL) was investigated, and microbial community after ensiling was analysed. Results showed that the silage samples with NCL have lower pH (4.32 versus 4.88, 4.26 versus 4.71 in alfalfa and stylo silage, respectively), ammonia‐N content (67.5 versus 146, 42.2 versus 95.1 g kg−1 total N) and higher lactic acid (13.3 versus 10.4, 17.3 versus 13.6 g kg−1 dry matter), true protein N (592 versus 287, 815 versus 589 g kg−1 total N). The addition of NCL also influenced the bacterial community distribution. The relative abundance of Clostridium and Enterobacter decreased, whereas Lactobacillus abundance increased when NCL was added. In conclusion, NCL could inhibit undesirable microorganisms in high moisture alfalfa and stylo silage. Mixing with NCL could be a feasible way to improve the quality of silage.

Dynamics of change in fermentation and fatty acid profiles in high moisture alfalfa silage during ensiling at different temperatures

ABSTRACT: The objective of present study was to investigate the dynamics of change in fermentation and fatty acid profiles in high moisture (DM=232g/kg FW) alfalfa silages during ensiling at 45°C, 30°C and 15°C. After ensiling for 1, 3, 7, 21, 39 and 65 days, silages was sampled and examined. Lactic fermentation changing into butyric fermentation in silage ensiled at 30°C and 45°C occurred on ensiling for 21 and 65 days, respectively, as accompanied with high ammonia-N content ( &gt;150g/kg N), which subsequently resulted in a sudden increase of pH (P &lt; 0.05). In contrast, the increase of lactic acid content was observed in silage ensiled at 15°C during ensiling for 65 days (P&lt;0.05). As the ensiling temperature rose, considerable losses in total FA, C18:2n6 and C18:3n3 increased after ensiling for 1 day as compared with alfalfa before ensiling (P &lt; 0.05) mainly due to thermolability of polyunsaturated FA and multiplication of lactic acid bacteria. Contents of total FA, C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 fluctuated in silage stored at 30°C and 45°C during ensiling from 3 to 65 days (P &lt; 0.05), but decreased at 15°C due to the intervention of aerobic bacteria, yeasts and lipoxygenase. Therefore, after ensiling for 65 days, high moisture alfalfa silage ensiling at 15°C had better fermentation quality than at 30°C and 45°C. Temperature had significant influence on dynamics of change in FA profile in alfalfa silage during ensiling.

Effect of additives on fatty acid profile of high moisture alfalfa silage during ensiling and after exposure to air

The objective of present study was to investigate the changes of total fatty acid (FA) content and fatty acid composition in high moisture alfalfa (DM=229g/kg fresh weight) silage treated without (Control) or with Lactobacillus buchneri (LB), L. plantarum (LP), propionic acid additive (PA) and tea polyphenols (TP) during ensiling and after exposure to air. A 750g of alfalfa material was filled into the experimental silo (polyvinyl chloride bottle, 1000mL capacity). After ensiling for 65days at room temperature, a part of silages (200g) was sampled and the others (450g) were exposed to air for 6days. Butyric acid (>30g/kg DM) was more than lactic acid (<1g/kg DM) in the control and TP silages due to the low contents of DM and water-soluble carbohydrates, and high buffer capacity, indicating poor fermentation quality. LB, LP, and PA promoted lactic fermentation, restrained butyric fermentation and thus improved fermentation quality of silages. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) lipolysis and saturated fatty acids (SFA) synthesis occurred in the control silage during ensiling, mainly the lipolysis of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 and synthesis of C6:0. Compared with the control, LB, LP, and PA restrained butyric fermentation and synthesis of C6:0, meanwhile LB and LP did not relieve the lipolysis of UFA while PA relieved it; TP relieved synthesis of C6:0 and had a slight lipolysis of UFA. After exposure to air for 6days, the control, LB, PA, and TP silages had better aerobic stability than LP silage, supported by higher temperature in LP silage than in the control, LB, PA, and TP silages. Like volatile FA, most of the FA composition had a positive correlation with aerobic stability. PA silage had the highest total FA content (33.8g/kg DM), the proportions of UFA, C18:2n6 and C18:3n3 due to its lower pH (<4.60) and amounts of aerobic bacteria (<5.0lgcfu/g FM) and yeasts (<2.6lgcfu/g FM) than the control, LB and LP silages, and its lower pH and aerobic bacteria number than TP silage. Therefore, PA kept silage aerobic stability and was a good additive to conserve FA of silage after exposure to air for 6days.

1341 Application of Pediococcus pentosaceus and chitinase to high moisture alfalfa hay at baling: effects on nutrient digestion and on growth performance of beef cattle

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of applying a Pediococcus pentosaceus and chitinase mixture (PED+CH) at baling on nutrient digestion and on growth performance of beef cattle. Pure alfalfa was harvested and sun-cured to either 23 to 30% (HMH) or 10 to 13% (NMH) moisture. The HMH (Treatment) was baled with application of PED (6.5 × 1011 cfu/tonne)+CH (1.5 g/tonne) and NMH was baled without additives (Control). A crossover experiment (Exp 1) used eight cannulated heifers that were divided into two groups and fed diets containing 77% of control or treated alfalfa hay and 33% concentrate (DM basis). Each period consisted of a 10-d adaption, 2-d for measuring rumen fermentation products and 7-d for measuring total tract digestibility using chromium oxide (Cr2O3) as an indigestible marker. In Exp 2, fifty Angus×Hereford crossed-bred steers (270 ± 1.12 kg) were stratified by BW and allocated randomly to two groups in 10 pens, and fed diets containing 57% (DM basis) of treated or control alfalfa hay for 112 d and DMI, ADG and feed efficiency (FE) were measured. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS with cattle (Exp 1) or pen (Exp 2) as the statistical unit. Differences among means were identified using LSMEANS with the PDIFF in SAS. Cattle fed both diets had similar (P > 0.05) DM, NDF and ADF digestibility. However, HMH alfalfa treated with PED+CH had lower (P < 0.05) CP digestibility as compared with NMH alfalfa hay. Both groups of cattle had similar rumen pH, VFA and ammonia concentrations and cellulolytic enzyme activity. The two groups of cattle also had similar (P > 0.05) DMI, ADG and FE over the 112-d backgrounding period. The similar rumen fermentation characteristics, nutrient total tract digestibility and growth performance between the 2 groups of cattle indicate that alfalfa HMH preserved with PED+CH exhibited similar ruminal and total tract digestibility and feed value to NMH alfalfa. The PED+CH additive has the potential to conserve high-moisture alfalfa hay so that its nutritive and feeding value is similar to that of sun-dried alfalfa hay.

Interactive effect of inoculant and dried jujube powder on the fermentation quality and nitrogen fraction of alfalfa silage.

The interactive effect of inoculants and dried jujube powder (DJP) on the fermentation and nitrogen fraction (PA, PB1, PB2, PB3 and PC fractions) of alfalfa silage was investigated. Three of the Lactobacillus plantarum inoculants (LP1, LP2 or LP3) were used. The DJP was added at rates of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15% of the whole fresh forage. The combination of DJP and inoculants decreased the pH value and ammonia nitrogen content and increased the PC portion. As the DJP ratio increased, there was a peak in lactic acid : acetic acid ratio (12% of DJP ratio) and PB2 fraction (9% of DJP ratio) while the PA content decreased linearly. The LP1 and LP2 had the highest lactic acid content. Inoculants decreased the PB1 portion of true protein. The LP1 treated silage had the highest acetic acid content with the lowest lactic acid : acetic acid ratio and had lower PB3 and PC and higher PB2 than LP2 or LP3 treated silages. The result showed that the application of DJP or inoculants have positive effect on the fermentation, nutrition and N fraction value in the high moisture alfalfa silages, and the combination of DJP and inoculants preserves best.

Effects of moisture content or particle size on the in situ degradability of maize silage and alfalfa haylage in lactating dairy cows.

A study using four Holstein cows with ruminal cannulas was conducted to evaluate the degradability of different moisture content or particle size of maize silage and alfalfa haylage. The maize silage (MS; 20-mm length) and alfalfa haylage (AH; 40-mm length) samples were wet (wet maize silage, MSW; wet alfalfa haylage, AHW), dried (dried maize silage, MSD; dried alfalfa haylage, AHD), or ground to pass through a 2.5-mm screen (dried ground maize silage, MSG; dried ground alfalfa haylage, AHG). Samples were incubated in the rumen for 2, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h. Cows were fed ad libitum and allowed free access to water. High moisture content treatment of MSW expressed a lower rinsing NDF and ADF degradability at 2 h (P < 0.05) compared with dried samples (MSD and MSG). Different moisture content and particle size had a significant impact (P < 0.05) on the NDF degradability at 72 h, ADF degradability at 36, 48, and 72 h, and ruminally degradable ADF. All of the highest values were observed in small particle size and low moisture content AHG treatment. Based on this study, sample processing, such as drying and grinding, should be considered when evaluating nutritive values of forages.

Process analysis for an alfalfa rotary dryer using an improved dimensional analysis method

All parameters in terms of wet alfalfa input capacity, dry alfalfa output capacity, alfalfa stem length, rotary speed, heated air temperature, air flow velocity and number of lifting flights fixed at the interior wall of rotary dryer were integrated and derived into four π terms based on Jiang’s principle. The drying temperature was a significant factor influencing the drying rate and the post-drying quality of alfalfa hay. An improved G. Murphy theorem with high confidence was used to design an experimental program for alfalfa drying in a rotary dryer. A πequation was derived by using the multiplication of component equations involving the drying parameters and most of its correlation coefficients were higher than 0.99. The validation results show that most of the relative errors of πterms were lower than 10% and are acceptable in engineering practice. This empirical equation may be used to investigate the parameter interactive effects on conveyor performance, which may be useful in the design and selection of rotary dryers for drying alfalfa hay. Keywords: alfalfa, drying, rotary dryer, dimensional analysis DOI: 10.3965/j.issn.1934-6344.2009.03.076-082 Citation: Zheng Xianzhe, Yubin Lan, Wang Jianying, Dong Hangfei. Process analysis for an alfalfa rotary dryer using an improved dimensional analysis method. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2009; 2(3): 76