Digital Commons Network^™

Attacking The Yield Plateau: Assessing The Nutrient Status Of Kentucky Alfalfa Stands, W. R. Fleming, C. D. Teutsch, E. L. Ritchey, J. H. Grove

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Soil and tissue analyses indicated that alfalfa yields may be limited in some cases by soil fertility. Soil pH was below the optimal range in more than 40% of the fields sampled. This may result in decreased nitrogen fixation and nutrient availability. Potassium was reported low in approximately one‐quarter of the sampled stands according to tissue analysis. This was not unexpected since hay production removes large quantities of potash. Sulfur and magnesium were reported low in 13 and 23 percent of stands, respectively. More work is needed to better understand if these two 2023 Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference …

Hay Production In The Deep South: Bermudagrass And Alfalfa A Perfect Combination, Jennifer J. Tucker

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

No abstract provided.

National Producer And Consumer Survey: Increasing Alfalfa Hay Sales To Horse Owners, Krista Lea, Bob Coleman, Laurie Lawrence, Jen Zimmerman, Ray Smith

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Horse owners were surveyed regarding their hay feeding choices. Unique factors of this market are discussed.

Hygienic Value And Mycotoxins Level Of Grass Silage In Bales For Horses, A. Potkański, J. Grajewski, K. Raczkowska-Werwińska, B. Miklaszewska, A. Gubała, M. Selwet, M. Szumacher-Strabel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of moulds which have adverse effects on humans, animals, and crops and result in illnesses and economic losses. The toxins may occur in storage under conditions favourable for the growth of the toxin-producing fungus or fungi. The highest forage concentration of toxins was found in horizontal storage methods such as bunker silos and feed piles, which were left open to oxygen. In any fermentation storage system, temperature and the presence of moisture is sufficient for toxin production. In a plastic covered storage system, oxygen penetration is slowed but not eliminated. The longer silage is stored, the …

Aerobic Stability And Nutritive Value Of Low Dry Matter Maize Silage Treated With A Formic Acid-Based Preservative, I. Filya, E. Sucu, A. Karabulut

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Aerobic stability is one of the major problems of the ensiling process, especially in warm climates. Ashbell et al. (2002) have shown that at 30°C, the development of aerobic yeast and moulds in silages is most intensive. In Turkey all silages are susceptible to air penetration during storage and unloading with a large proportion of the silage spoiled and in extreme cases all the silage is spoiled. The purpose of the present work was to study the effects of formic acid-based preservative (FAB; Kemisile® 2000, Kemira Oyj-Industrial Chemicals, Finland) on the aerobic stability and nutritive value of maize silage.

The Effects Of The Growth Stage And Inoculant On Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Of Whole-Plant Grain Sorghum Silage, E. Tabacco, G. Borreani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is well adapted to environments with limited rainfall and low soil fertility. Today, on dry land, improved grain sorghum hybrids may be a valid alternative to maize silage and they may give DM yields and digestible energy that are comparable to maize, but at lower production costs (Legarto, 2000). Harvesting crops for silage at an early stage of maturity (low DM content) may result in silage with a higher acid content and low nutritional quality, while harvesting crops at a later stage of maturity may make the forage more difficult to chop and pack. …

Perennial Ryegrasses Bred For Contrasting Sugar Contents: Manipulating Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Using Wilting And Additives (1) (Eu Fp V -Project ‘Sweetgrass’), P. O'Kiely, H. Howard, G. Pahlow, R. J. Merry, F. P. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Higher concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) in silage offer ruminant nutrition and environmental attractions. Both successful field wilting and alternative silage additives provide the opportunity to manipulate silage WSC by modifying fermentation and/or improving aerobic stability. This experiment evaluated the fermentation and aerobic stability of silages made from perennial ryegrass cultivars of high or normal WSC genotype that differed in field wilting or additive use.

Perennial Ryegrasses Bred For Contrasting Sugar Contents: Manipulating Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Of Unwilted Silage Using Additives (2) (Eu-Project ‘Sweetgrass’), H. Howard, P. O'Kiely, G. Pahlow, F. P. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grass cultivars bred for elevated concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) could have improved silage preservation but possibly disimproved aerobic stability. Additives can be used to manipulate fermentation and thereby increase silage WSC. They can also influence aerobic stability. This experiment evaluated the fermentation and aerobic stability of unwilted silages made from perennial ryegrass cultivars of high or normal WSC genotype that differed in additive use.

Perennial Ryegrasses Bred For Contrasting Sugar Contents: Manipulating Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Of Wilted Silage Using Additives (3) (Eu-Project ‘Sweetgrass’), H. Howard, P. O'Kiely, G. Pahlow, F. P. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rapid field-drying of grass prior to successful ensilage restricts fermentation and can assist preservation, but can consequently result in silages that are prone to aerobic deterioration at feedout. Additives that directly (e.g. potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate) or indirectly (e.g. formic acid or Lactobacillus plantarum, via manipulation of fermentation) alter yeast activity at feedout could modify silage aerobic stability. This experiment evaluated the fermentation and aerobic stability of wilted silages made from perennial ryegrass cultivars of high or normal water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) genotype that differed in additive use.

The Effect Of Additive Containing Formic Acid On Quality And Aerobic Stability Of Silages Made Of Endophyte-Infected Green Forage, L. Podkówka, J. Mikołajczak, E. Staszak, P. Dorszewski

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Festuca species grasses are very often infected with endophytic fungi Neothypodium, that produce ergotic alkaloids, peramins etc. (Podkówka et al., 2003). Produced green forage can be dangerous to animals. The basic preservation method of such green forages is ensiling, especially with organic acids addition. Organic acids demonstrate destructive action on fungal organisms, as well as influence the quality and aerobic stability of forage. The objective of this study was to determine if the preservation of endophyte-infected green forage by ensiling with formic acid affects quality and aerobic stability of produced fodder.

Recent Developments In Methods To Characterise The Chemical And Biological Parameters Of Grass Silage, R. S. Park, R. E. Agnew, M. G. Porter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Chemical analysis of forages is expensive, time consuming, environmentally unfriendly and relates poorly to the feed value for production purposes.
2. In vivo characterisation of animal feed is not a feasible option in terms of cost and analysis time.
3. NIRS is a rapid, non destructive, environmentally friendly, multi-analytical technique which can estimate the nutritive value of the feed.
4. NIRS predictive equations developed on a master instrument can be transferred to local and international sites.
5. Future assessment of forages necessitates rapid, stable, instrumentation for ‘in field’ studies.

The Effect Of Chop Length And Additive On Silage Intake And Milk Production In Cows, V. Toivonen, T. Heikkilä

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Effects of reduced silage chop length on silage intake and milk production by dairy cows have been variable. Chopping of grass at harvest generally improves silage fermentation quality and consequently intake. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of chopping flail harvested silage ensiled with acid or biological additive prior to feeding on intake, milk yield and milk composition in dairy cows.

Effect Of Additives At Harvest On The Digestibility In Lambs Of Whole Crop Barley Or Wheat Silage, S. Muhonen, I. Olsson, P. Lingvall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There are very few published articles about how silage additives affect digestibility of whole crop silage. In this experiment, male lambs were given whole crop barley or wheat silage harvested at dough stage with a number of different acid-based and bacterial additives.

Use Of Silage Additives In Ensiling Of Whole-Crop Barley And Wheat - A Comparison Of Round Big Bales And Precision Chopped Silages, M. Knický, P. Lingvall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An increasing use of whole-crop cereals, as supplementary feed, has increased interest in development of efficient ways of preserving these forages to achieve a high hygienic quality. It is known that ensiling of whole-cereals often results in silages with high concentrations of butyric acid (Weissbach & Haacker, 1988). Furthermore, problems with poor aerobic stability still persist despite the use of lactic acid bacteria (Filya et al., 2000). Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of different types of additive mixtures on the fermentation process and aerobic stability of precision chopped and baled silages.

Effects Of Varying Dietary Ratios Of Lucerne To Maize Silage On Production And Microbial Protein Synthesis In Lactating Dairy Cows, G. A. Broderick, A. F. Brito

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Lucerne silage (LS) is high in total CP and rumen degraded protein (RDP) but low in fermentable energy, while maize silage (MS) is a good source of fermentable energy but low in RDP. Thus, these silages are complementary and feeding them at optimum ratio should increase nutrient efficiency in lactating cows. Dhiman & Satter (1997) observed greater milk yield when the dietary forage was 2/3 LS and 1/3 MS. The objective of this experiment was to optimise the dietary LS:MS ratio for production, microbial protein and N utilisation.

Effect Of Stage Of Maturity On The Nutrient Content Of Alfalfa, Y. Tyrolova, A. Vyborna

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), one of the major agricultural crops in the Czech Republic, is grown on 15.8% of the arable land. Alfalfa silage forms a substantial part of diets for farm animals. It is very important to choose a suitable term of harvesting for ensilage from the view of optimal nutrient content. The stage of maturity at cutting has large effects on each component, except crude protein (Yu et al., 2004). Alfalfa can be difficult to ensile due to a high buffering capacity and a low WSC content.

Nutritive Value For Finishing Beef Steers Of Wheat Grain Conserved By Different Techniques, P. Stacey, P. O'Kiely, A. P. Moloney, F. P. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Wheat grain harvested at dry matter (DM) concentrations above 860 g/kg is slow to deteriorate during long-term storage. However, high moisture grain (HMG) ranging from below 600 to 750 g DM/kg is conserved on some farms in the form of anaerobic storage of acid-treated, rolled wheat (AR) and urea-treated whole-wheat (UN) (Stacey et al., 2003). This experiment quantified the nutritive value for beef cattle of standard wheat grain (propionic acid-treated and rolled:PR) compared to AR and UN at different levels of intake.

Replacement Of Maize/Soybean Meal Concentrate By High Moisture Maize Grain Plus Wholeseed Soybean Silage For Cattle, C. C. Jobim, A. F. Branco, V. F. Gai, U. Cecato

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ensiling high moisture maize grain with wholeseed soybean can increase quality of silage, mainly in relation to protein and energy (Jobim et al., 2002) working as concentrate. This fact contributes to reduced use of concentrate and costs for milk and beef production, and costs related to grain storage on the farms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of high moisture maize grain plus wholeseed soybean silage through partial and total digestibility in cattle.

Feeding Mixed Grass-Clover Silages With Elevated Sugar Contents To Dairy Cows, J. Bertilsson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grasses with high sugar content (WSC) have been claimed to increase feed intake and milk production and at the same time give more efficient N utilisation and thus reduce pollution (e.g. Miller et al., 2001). In an ongoing EU-supported project (“Sweetgrass”), we have grown the new varieties of perennial ryegrasses and fed them to dairy cows. Results from the first year’s experiment when pure ryegrass silages made from standard or high-sugar varieties were fed, showed small differences in feed intake, milk production and N partitioning. In order to test the principle, it was therefore decided to increase the difference …

Feeding With Badly Preserved Silages And Occurrence Of Subclinical Ketosis In Dairy Cows, F. Vicente, B. De La Roza, A. Argamentería, M. L. Rodríguez, M. Peláez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ketosis in dairy cows is due to high levels of circulating ketone bodies in blood (Duffiel, 2000). In early lactation, the capacity of voluntary dry matter intake does not allow dairy cows to cover the total energy requirements for maintenance and production, and then the body reserves are mobilised. However, the amounts of fatty acids that can be metabolised in the liver are limited, later they are converted to ketone bodies (Tveit et al., 1992). During forage ensiling, acetic and lactic fermentations only are desirable, but frequently butyric and alcoholic fermentations appear. When the animals ingest these silages, the …

Conjugated Linoleic Acid Content Of Milk From Cows Fed Different Diets, E. Staszak, J. Mikołajczak

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid (c-9, c-12 C_18:2). Conjugated linoleic acid occurs naturally in foods, however the main dietary sources are dairy products and other foods derived from ruminants. Continuous interest in CLA is attributed to its potential health benefits such as anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic and antiadipogenic effects (Dhiman et al., 1999, Staszak et al., 2001). Typical consumption of CLA by humans is far lower than the dose that has been shown to be effective in reducing tumours in animal models (Dhiman et al., 1999), …

Effects Of Access Time To Feed And Sodium Bicarbonate In Cows Given Different Silages, T. Heikkilä, V. Toivonen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Animal performance is closely related to silage intake, which might be affected by access time to feed, silage fermentation quality or using neutralising agents. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of access time to silage or addition of sodium bicarbonate on silage intake, milk yield and milk composition in diets based on restrictively fermented acid-treated or extensively fermented enzyme-treated grass silage.

Whole Crop Silage From Barley Fed In Combination With Red Clover Silage To Dairy Cows, J. Bertilsson, M. Knicky

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grass silage is the basic feed in Swedish dairy cow rations. The nitrogen utilisation in this type of diet is, however, low. A combination of forage legume protein and whole crop silage carbohydrates might be a solution to this problem. From other countries in Northern Europe the experience from feeding barley whole crop silage in combination with legumes is that it is possible to maintain a reasonably high milk production and at the same time have a good protein utilisation (Kristensen, 1992).

Silage Production From Tropical Forages, Luiz Gustavo Nussio

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key Points

1. The determination of overall DM recovery is important in tropical grass silage systems
2. Silage fermentation profile and aerobic stability: trends and additional effects
3. Combinations of chemical and microbial additives might be useful for control of losses
4. Fermentation products should be considered in order to better predict animal performance
5. A critical points database would be a helpful management tool for the development of a set of HACCP principles for the production and utilisation of tropical grass silages

Update On Technologies For Producing And Feeding Silage, P. D. Forristal, P. O'Keily

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key Points

1. Mechanisation and engineering inputs are key factors which contribute to silage costs.
2. Sensing technologies will improve management precision in many areas of ensilage.
3. While current harvesting machines have high output capacity reflecting mature design, there is a need to revisit the area of energy efficiency.
4. Baled silage technology, particularly in the areas of covering film and wrapping technology, needs further research.
5. Feeding systems are well researched but there is a need for systems research to underpin farmers’ decisions concerning housing design and feeding system.

Effect Of Perennial Ryegrass Cultivars On The Fatty Acid Composition In Milk Of Stall-Fed Cows, A. Elgersma, H. J. Smit, G. Ellen, S. Tamminga

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Herbage provides bulk feed for ruminants and plant lipids, especially C18:3, are a major source of benefical fatty acids (FA) in milk. There are very few direct comparisons allowing a precise evaluation of the effects of the basal forage diet on milk FA composition. Grass quality differences can affect rumen metabolism and there could be opportunities to change the composition of ruminant products through choice of grass cultivar. To test this hypothesis, six cultivars were fed to dairy cows in a stall-feeding trial with fresh grass to evaluate the effect of grass cultivar on rumen VFA and milk FA composition …

Ensiled Maize And Whole Crop Wheat Forages For Beef And Dairy Cattle: Effects On Animal Performance, T. W. J. Keady

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Maize silage can be produced and fed to beef and dairy cattle at a similar price to grazed grass.
2. Including maize silage in the diet increases feed intake and performance of beef and dairy cattle.
3. The optimum stage of maturity at harvest for increased performance is at a dry matter concentration of approximately 300 g/kg.
4. Including maize silage in grass silage-based diets has a concentrate sparing effect of up to 5 kg/cow/d.
5. There is a negative relationship between stage of maturity at harvest and milk fat concentration.
6. Whole crop wheat can be produced and fed at a similar …

Recent Developments In Feeding Beef Cattle On Grass Silage-Based Diets, M. Mcgee

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points:

1. High digestibility grass silage with moderate concentrate supplementation can sustain a large proportion of the cattle performance achieved on high concentrate diets.
2. Increasing concentrate supplementation reduces the importance of grass silage nutritional value.
3. Subsequent compensatory growth diminishes the advantage of concentrate supplementation of young cattle.
4. Meat quality and fatty acid composition can be influenced by grass silage-based diets.

Ensiled High Moisture Barley Or Dry Barley In The Grass Silage-Based Diet Of Dairy Cows, S. Jaakkola, E. Saarisalo, R. Kangasniemi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ensiling high moisture grain is based on a procedure similar to ensiling grass. Soluble carbohydrates of grain are partly fermented into acids and some protein is degraded. Thus the nutritional quality is modified by the preservation method. Two trials were conducted to compare the effects of dry barley (DB) and ensiled barley (EB) in a total mixed ration (TMR) on feed intake and milk production of dairy cows.

Effects Of Species, Maturity And Additive On The Feed Quality Of Whole Crop Cereal Silage, E. Nadeau

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chemical composition of whole crop cereals differ among species and maturity stages. These chemical differences create variations in silage quality (Bergen et al., 1991). There is only limited information available on the effects of plant species and maturity on the use of additives for whole crop cereal silage. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of species, maturity, additive and their interactions on nutrient composition and fermentation characteristics of whole crop cereal silage.