NUTRITIVE VALUE OF WHOLE CROP CEREAL SILAGES

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. CHRISTENSEN ◽  
G. STEACY ◽  
W. L. CROWLE

Voluntary intake and digestibility of protein, dry matter and energy of nine cereal silages were determined using 200-kg steers. Digestible energy intakes were lower for spring rye (Gazelle) and tillering corn silage (Stewart Multi T) than for wheat, oats, barley and non-tillering corn silages (Pride R102). Intake of DE was highest for Neepawa wheat silage. The tillering corn was less mature (16.0% dry matter) than the other cereals which were harvested at the mid-dough stage. Digestibility of protein was significantly lower in the rye and corn silages than in the other silages.

1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. PELLETIER ◽  
J.-C. ST-PIERRE ◽  
J. E. COMEAU

Chemical analysis, in vivo digestibility and voluntary intake measurements were used to determine the nutritive value of different crops made as silage for sheep. In the first experiment, grass silages contained less N-NH3 than corn–pea silage. Digestible energy intake of grass silage treated with formic acid was higher than that which was untreated. Digestibility, dry matter intake and the nutritive value index were higher for corn–pea silage than for treated or untreated grass silage. In the second experiment, six different silages were made. Corn was harvested at the milk and dough stages of growth and after a frost and was chopped at either 1.3 cm or 0.6 cm. Silage made with corn harvested after a frost and chopped at 1.3 cm and that made with corn harvested at the milk stage and chopped at 0.6 cm had higher N-NH3 content than the others. Fine chopping decreased digestibility of silages harvested at earlier maturity stages but increased the digestible energy of the corn silage harvested after a frost. Voluntary intake was greater with silages harvested at the later dates than with silage harvested at the milk stage.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. CHRISTENSEN ◽  
B. D. OWEN ◽  
G. STEACY ◽  
J. P. MTIMUNI ◽  
W. L. CROWLE

Seven cultivars of barley, oats and wheat were harvested at the mid-dough stage and stored in polyethylene-covered experimental silos of 700-kg capacity. Four steers weighing about 200 kg were fed each type of silage in order to determine voluntary intake and digestibility of energy and protein. The silages averaged 36.6% dry matter and 12.5% crude protein, with the wheat and barley silages containing significantly more protein than oat silage (P < 0.05). Digestibility of energy averaged 65.4%. The wheat and barley cultivars tended to contain higher digestible energy levels than oat cultivars. Digestibility of crude protein averaged 68.5% with no significant differences. Voluntary intake of dry matter (DMg/Wkg.75) was higher (P < 0.05) in oats than barley or most wheat cultivars. Intake of Glenlea wheat equalled Fraser oats and the unlicenced 1863–4 oat cultivar.


1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. BURGESS ◽  
J. W. G. NICHOLSON ◽  
E. A. GRANT

Whole crops of corn, barley, wheat, and forage oats were ensiled and fed as the sole forage to 48 milking cows in two 12-wk feeding trials. In the first experiment corn (25.1% dry matter (DM)) harvested in the early dent stage, barley (34.2% DM), and forage oats (27.6% DM) harvested in the dough stage were compared. Holstein cows fed the three silages averaged 22.6, 19.7, and 18.7 kg of 4% fat-corrected milk per day and consumed 1.67, 1.82, and 1.85 kg of silage DM per 100 kg body weight, respectively. In the second experiment, cows fed wheat (35.7% DM), barley (29.8% DM), or forage oat (27.0% DM) silage harvested in the dough stage produced 21.2, 23.3, and 22.1 kg fat-corrected milk daily and consumed 1.75, 1.71, and 1.62 kg silage DM per 100 kg body weight, respectively. Corn silage DM intake was lower (P < 0.01) but more efficiently utilized for milk production (P < 0.01) than barley or forage oats, whereas wheat, barley, and forage oat silages were similar in feeding value. In experiment I, rumen acetate increased and butyrate decreased with corresponding increases in forage fiber content. Propionate levels were unaffected by the kind of forage, whereas blood urea nitrogen was highest for cows fed forage oats in both experiments.


1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. PELLETIER ◽  
E. DONEFER

Three yearling Cheviot × Suffolk ewes and three Columbia wethers were confined in metabolic cages and fed ad libitum fresh and dried marrow-stem kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala D.C.) harvested in mid- and late October. Chemical analyses of the forages indicated no marked effects on any of the plant constituents due to drying or advancing maturity. Digestibility measurements demonstrated that marrow-stem kale (MSK) was a highly digestible material with an average dry matter digestibility of 78%. The fresh forages had higher (P < 0.05) dry matter and gross energy digestibility values than the dried form. Dry matter digestibility coefficients were higher (P < 0.05) for late October as compared with the earlier harvest. A trend toward higher (P > 0.05) voluntary intake values due to drying maturity was observed with an average relative intake of 80%. The nutritive value index averaged 65, thus indicating a digestible energy intake similar to a high-quality (legume) forage.


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Mir ◽  
S. Bittman ◽  
L. Townley-Smith

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the voluntary intake and digestibility of kochia (Kochia scoparia) as hay or silage for sheep. In Trial 1, kochia (KOC) hay substituted for alfalfa hay (AA) at 0, 25, 50 or 75% of complete diets, or 50% AA or 50% KOC with barley (BAR) were fed to 24 mature wethers in a completely randomized design experiment. As the level of KOC in the diet increased, dry matter intake (DMI) of wethers decreased linearly. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in dry matter or fiber digestibilities among the four diets containing AA and KOC hay. Nitrogen and gross energy digestibilities increased linearly (P < 0.05) with decreasing levels of dietary KOC. In trial 2, KOC silage prepared from two ecotypes of KOC (southern and northern), cut at two different dates and fed in a 50:50 combination with AA silage were compared with a diet containing AA silage. DMI and nutrient digestibilities of the AA silage diet were higher (P < 0.05) than those for the diets containing KOC. Results indicate that KOC hay can be fed in high forage or concentrate diets at levels between 25 and 50% of the diet without adverse effects on intake or digestibility. Results also demonstrate that KOC can be preserved by ensiling and that KOC silage can be used in combination with AA silage in diets for sheep. Key words: Kochia, sheep, digestibility, hay, silage


2014 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. A. NEVES ◽  
R. D. SANTOS ◽  
L. G. R. PEREIRA ◽  
G. F. OLIVEIRA ◽  
C. B. SCHERER ◽  
...  

SUMMARYForage sorghum (FS) (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) is a key feed source for ruminants owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. The present paper assessed the agronomic characteristics, silage quality, intake and digestibility of five new Brazilian sorghum cultivars (BRS Ponta Negra variety, BRS 655 hybrid, BR 601 hybrid, BRS 506 variety and BRS 610 hybrid). Forages were grown (randomized complete block design) in a typical Brazilian north-eastern semi-arid climate, irrigated with 267 mm water, harvested as plants reached the soft dough stage of grain maturity and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 25 Santa Inês lambs. BRS 506 outperformed the other cultivars in dry matter (DM) and digestible DM yields/ha. BRS 506 exhibited the lowest neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents and the highestin vitrodry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the cultivars examined. BRS 655 produced the lowest level of lactic acid and the highest pH and ammonia-N concentration. There was no difference in intake or digestibility of DM among cultivars. Silages produced from BRS Ponta Negra resulted in higher crude protein (CP) intake than BRS 655. Silages made from BRS 506 and BRS Ponta Negra resulted in a greater digestibility of CP than those produced from BRS 655. Intake of NDF in silages generated from BRS Ponta Negra and BRS 610 was higher than that found in other cultivars. Although an average Brazilian North-eastern FS exhibited similar characteristics to other cultivars grown in dry regions around the world, the results indicated that BRS 506 had a yield advantage and higher nutritive value under Brazilian semi-arid conditions as compared to the other cultivars examined.


2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71
Author(s):  
A. C. Vieira ◽  
C. J. Olivo ◽  
C. B. Adams ◽  
J. C. Sauthier ◽  
L. R. Proença ◽  
...  

AbstractThe effects of growing pinto peanut mixed with elephant grass-based pastures are still little known. The aim of the current research was to evaluate the performance of herbage yield, nutritive value of forage and animal responses to levels of pinto peanut forage mass mixed with elephant grass in low-input systems. Three grazing systems were evaluated: (i) elephant grass-based (control); (ii) pinto peanut, low-density forage yield (63 g/kg of dry matter – DM) + elephant grass; and (iii) pinto peanut, high-density dry matter forage yield (206 g/kg DM) + elephant grass. The experimental design was completely randomized with the three treatments (grazing systems) and three replicates (paddocks) in split-plot grazing cycles. Forage samples were collected to evaluate the pasture and animal responses. Leaf blades of elephant grass and the other companion grasses of pinto peanut were collected to analyse the crude protein, in vitro digestible organic matter and total digestible nutrients. The pinto peanut, high-density dry matter forage yield + elephant grass treatment was found to give the best results in terms of herbage yield, forage intake and stocking rate, as well as having higher crude protein contents for both elephant grass and the other grasses, followed by pinto peanut with low-density forage yield + elephant grass and finally elephant grass alone. Better results were found with the grass–legume system for pasture and animal responses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1045-1052
Author(s):  
Mateus Merlo Coelho ◽  
Lúcio Carlos Gonçalves ◽  
José Avelino Santos Rodrigues ◽  
Kelly Moura Keller ◽  
Gustavo Vinícius de Souza dos Anjos ◽  
...  

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of re-ensiling and bacterial inoculation on the quality of corn silage. The experiment was carried out in a 2x2 factorial design with or without inoculant (association of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici), and with re-ensiling after 36 hours of aerobic exposure or only ensiling of the whole plant of 'BRS 1055' corn. The fermentative quality, nutritional parameters, dry matter losses, aerobic stability, and microbiological counts of silages were evaluated. Re-ensiling caused an increase of pH and in acetic acid and propionic acid concentrations, as well as in the dry matter (DM), crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber crude protein contents. Conversely, there was a reduction in the nonfiber carbohydrates concentration and in in vitro dry matter digestibility for the re-ensiled material. All changes were explained by the higher-effluent production and DM loss of re-ensiled material that was subjected to two compactions. Microbiology was not altered by the treatments. The use of inoculant altered ash content, but it did not influence other parameters. In contrast, re-ensiling after 36 hours of aerobic exposure caused a reduction in the nutritive value of corn silage and accentuated the DM losses.


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. GRIEVE ◽  
J. H. BURTON ◽  
H. E. BRAUN ◽  
R. FRANK

Shredded newsprint is a potential source of bedding for livestock, but because it may contain certain heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls significant voluntary consumption of newsprint by animals would be undesirable. To determine consumption levels, 18 Holstein cows in mid-lactation (average 19 wk) were used in a double latin square design. Squares represented access to shredded newsprint or chopped hay in the feed manger except during feeding time. Within squares, cows were allotted to each of three complete mixed rations over three 6-wk treatment periods. Rations comprised hay crop silage, corn silage, high moisture grain corn and soybean meal with roughage:concentrate ratios of 30:70 (LR), 50:50 (MR) and 70:30 (HR). Mixed rations were fed according to individual cow requirements for energy depending on body weight, milk yield and milk fat percent. Cows were allowed 4 h after each of two feedings per day to consume their allotted mixed ration. Voluntary consumption of newsprint was only 0.3 kg per cow per day or 2% of total dry matter intake while for those offered hay consumption was 2.6 kg∙cow−1∙day−1 or 15% of total dry matter intake. Intakes of mixed rations were unaffected by roughage:concentrate ratio or newsprint versus hay. However, total dry matter consumption (mixed ration plus newsprint or hay) was higher for cows offered hay (17.3 kg∙cow−1∙day−1) than for those offered newsprint (15.1 kg∙cow−1∙day−1). Levels of heavy metals in milk or blood samples of cows with access to newsprint were within normally accepted ranges. PCBs were at undetectable levels in all cases. Bedding cows with newsprint is unlikely to result in significant consumption or contamination of animals or their products. Key words: Lactating cows, newsprint consumption, heavy metals


1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. McLeod ◽  
B. R. Smith

ABSTRACTA study was made of the effect of fibre level in forages on eating and rumination behaviour. Eight forage diets were prepared from the leaf and stem fractions of two grasses and two legumes and were given at hourly intervals to four steers under steady-state conditions. Eating and rumination behaviour were measured automatically by recording changes in intra-oesophageal pressure.Mean voluntary intake of leaf was higher than that of the stem fractions (9·9 v. 5·6 kg/day; P < 0·001). This was associated with a shorter mean retention time in the rumen of the leaf than that of the stem fractions (21·4 v. 30·6 h; P < 0·001) and a lower concentration (g/100 g dry matter (DM)) of fibre (52-0 neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) and 30·5 acid-detergent fibre (ADF) v. 68·2 NDF and 45·3 ADF). Similar values (P > 0·05) between diets were found for both the water and DM contents of the rumen (60·1 kg, 7·8 kg). Voluntary intake was not related to either.No difference was found between forage diets in the mean time (132 min) and number (18·7) of periods spent eating each day (P > 0·05). Legume leaf fractions were eaten at a faster rate (g/min) than either the grass leaf or the stem fractions. Voluntary intake was related to the rate at which food was eaten (r = 0·89; P < 0·01) but no relationship was found with the time taken to eat food (r = –0·14; P>0·05). Eating rate was related to the level of both NDF (r = –0·91; P < 0·01) and ADF (r = –0·96; P < 0·001).Differences between diets were found in rumination times (mean 425 min; P < 001), the number of boluses regurgitated during each period (27·6; P < 0·05) and during each day (485; P < 0·001), and in the weight of boluses (455 g; P < 0·05). No differences (P > 0·05) were found between diets in the mean number of rumination periods each day (17·6), the mean time spent ruminating during each period (24·3 min), the mean rate at which boluses were regurgitated (53·2 s per bolus), the interval between boluses (5·1 s), and the DM in a bolus (27·5 g). Rumination time and the number of boluses regurgitated either per period or per day were not related to the fibre content of the diet (P > 0·05).The regurgitated boluses from leaf fractions were chewed less than the stem fractions (43·7 v. 54·7 chews per bolus). The regurgitated boluses of lucerne leaf were chewed at a faster rate (1·13 chews per s; P > 0·05) than regurgitated digesta of the other diets which were chewed at similar rates (0·97 chews per s; P > 0·05). The total number of rumination chews made each day by animals given lucerne leaf (12 300) was much lower (P < 0·001) than that by animals given the other fractions (25 300). The number of chews made on each bolus was related to fibre levels in the diets (NDF, r = 0·78, P < 0·05; ADF, r = 0·91, P < 0·01).It is concluded that the voluntary intake of high-fibre diets is not always restricted by rumen fill or rumination. The ease with which forage is eaten should be investigated as a factor influencing intake of fibrous forages.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document