Agricultural Science Commons^™

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.

Effect Of Additive Treatment On Meat Quality, V. Vrotniakiene, J. Jatkauskas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Major components of meat quality are physico-chemical properties (including visual appearance and tenderness) and dietetic properties (i.e. fat content and fatty acid composition) (Razminowicz et al., 2004). Physico-chemical and technological properties of meat are influenced by feeding system, feeds quality and various feeds additives (Brzoska et al., 1999). The aim of the present study was compare the influence of untreated, inoculated and chemically-treated legume-grass silage on carcass composition and physico-chemical properties of meat when fed to fattening bulls.

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.

The Effects Of Alfalfa Silage Harvesting Systems On Dry Matter Intake Of Friesland Dairy Ewes In Late Pregnancy, H. F. Elizalde

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

With the recent introduction of alfalfa in Chilean Patagonia (Aisén), its utilisation as silage has to be reviewed relative to animal performance. The effect of silage chop length on the voluntary intake has been evaluated in different species, with sheep being more sensitive to chop length than cattle (Dulphy et al., 1984). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of different alfalfa silage chop lengths on dry matter (DM) intake and eating behaviour of Friesland dairy ewes in late pregnancy.

Effect Of Feeding Red Clover, Lucerne And Kale Silage On The Voluntary Intake And Liveweight Gain Of Growing Lambs, R. Fychan, C. L. Marley, M. D. Fraser, R. Jones

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Despite a need for alternative forages to provide home-grown sources of protein (Wilkins & Jones, 2000), there have been few studies comparing the effects of such forages on lamb production when fed as silage. In this experiment the effects of offering ensiled red clover (Trifolium pratense), lucerne (Medicago sativa) and kale (Brassica oleracea) on voluntary intake and liveweight gain in growing lambs were compared.

An Evaluation Of Grain Processing And Storage Method, And Feed Level On The Performance And Meat Quality Of Beef Cattle Offered Two Contrasting Grass Silages, T. W. J. Keady, F. O. Lively, D. J. Kilpatrick

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Traditionally cereals have been dried or treated with propionic acid and processed prior to feeding to finishing beef cattle. Recently new techniques have been developed for storing and feeding grain to beef cattle. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of grain storage and processing method, and grain feed level on performance and meat quality of beef cattle offered two contrasting feed value grass silages.

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 …

Modelling Contamination Of Raw Milk With Butyric Acid Bacteria Spores, M. M. M. Vissers, F. Driehuis, P. De Jong, M. C. Te Giffel, J. M. G. Lankveld

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Raw milk contains low concentrations of bacterial endospores, originating from the farm environment (e.g. soil, feeds, faeces). Spores of Clostridium tyrobutyricum, also called butyric acid bacterium (BAB), are of great interest to the dairy industry. They survive milk pasteurisation and cause off-flavours and texture defects in various cheese types. The contamination pathway of BAB spores is well known. Their primary origin is soil. In silage the number of spores will increase if conditions permit BAB growth. The spores are excreted in the cows faeces and are transferred to milk by contaminated teat surfaces. Many factors are involved in the …

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.

Pea-Barley Bi-Crop Silage In Milk Production, M. Tuori, P. Pursiainen, A. -R. Leinonen, V. Karp

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Whole crop silage (WCS) from barley or wheat has many advantages as roughage feed. The possibility to use the same harvest machinery as in harvesting grass reduces investment costs. The farms which are specialised in grass production may have shortage of open field area for manure spreading, in which case WCS can be the answer. However, digestibility and protein content of WCS is usually lower than in grass silage, which is limiting the feed intake and performance of the dairy cows. Cultivation of grains with grain legumes increases digestibility and protein content of the stand (Lunnan, 1988). Feeding of bi-crop …

Dairy Cow Performance Associated With Two Contrasting Silage Feeding Systems, C. P. Ferris, D. C. Patterson, R. C. Binnie, J. P. Frost

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As a result of increasing labour costs, the lack of skilled labour, and the desire of many farmers to reduce their working hours, there is considerable interest in using simple feeding systems for dairy cows. A study was conducted to compare two silage feeding systems that differed in complexity.

Effect Of Supplementing Grass Silage With Incremental Levels Of Water Soluble Carbohydrate On In Vitro Rumen Microbial Growth And N Use Efficiency, D. R. Davies, D. K. Leemans, R. J. Merry

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The efficiency of utilisation of N for milk production in dairy cows is often less than 25% and a shortfall in readily available carbohydrate to provide substrate for microbial growth is often cited as a potential problem. Grasses bred for their high water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content have potential to address this issue but there is limited information on the level of sugar required to optimise rumen microbial growth efficiency. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of different concentrations of WSC on the efficiency of use of grass silage N under in vitro conditions.

Responses To Grass Or Red Clover Silages Cut At Two Stages Of Growth In Dairy Cows, A. Vanhatalo, K. Kuoppala, S. Ahvenjärvi, M. Rinne

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Red clover has an important role in organic farming, and also potential to reduce dependence on N fertilisers in conventional farming. This experiment compared dairy cow responses to grass and red clover silages cut at two stages of growth.

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 …

What Research Is Required For Economically And Environmentally Sustainable Farming?, W. Taylor

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This Congress is being held on an island that is a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. No other land area in the western world has achieved such a status!

With this designation come completely new parameters for agriculture in general and grassland production in particular. Alongside this change in emphasis for the grass based industry is the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy reform. For farming within the European Union it is not completely about maximising production, about “growing two blades of grass where one grew before”. It’s also about creating a diverse landscape, about less pollution about greater recreational opportunities, about …

Farming For Fun & Profit, M. Murphy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

We live in a competitive capitalist economy. Farming is rapidly moving from a highly subsidised sheltered existence into a more competitive future. Milk is a commodity. In commodity production the low cost producer survives and prospers. High cost farmers go out of business. So farmers, researchers and advisors need to maintain a relentless focus on low cost. We need durable, simple systems that exploit low feed cost based on grazed grass where temperate climate allows e.g. Ireland and New Zealand.

Grassland Research: Goals For The Future, J. R. Roche

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Our goal as scientists must be to provide sufficient food for the world’s population, while returning sufficient income for effort to the food producer. It has been established elsewhere in the conference that pasture-based systems can return high milk production per hectare at low input cost, but are limited to highly fertile, temperate regions with evenly dispersed rainfall patterns and moderate maximum and minimum temperatures. There should be two goals of grazing research in the future; to sustain or improve the profitability of current grazing production systems, and to develop plant and animal varieties that allow grazing in currently less …

Research Into The Types Of Cows And Systems Required To Utilise Grazed Pastures Sustainably In 100 Years From Now, C. Holmes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dairy farming has undergone rapid intensification in many countries over the past 60 years, as the result of technological developments, trade policies, and financial incentives. For example, the use of soluble fertilisers, irrigation and concentrated feeds have increased enormously, and antibiotics and hormone treatments did not even exist in 1940. However, the dramatic increases in milk yields per cow (e.g. in North America) and per hectare (e.g. in New Zealand) and in cows per person (in most countries) have been associated with growing concerns about the health and fertility of cows, and their metabolic stress and welfare and about the …

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.

Field Beans And Spring Wheat As Whole Crop Silage: Yield, Chemical Composition And Fermentation Characteristics, L. Ericson, K. Arvidsson, K. Martinsson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There has been an increasing interest in field beans (Vicia faba L.) in recent years because of its N-fixating ability. The objective of this study was to compare the yield, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of field bean/spring wheat as whole-crop silage ensiled with and without an additive.

The crop was drilled on 27 May 2003 at a seed rate of 205 kg/ha field beans and 68 kg/ha spring wheat. The crop was harvested at four different growth stages (Zadoks et al., 1974); end of blooming, (stage 69), when 50% of the pods had reached full length, …

Utilisation Of Whole-Crop Pea Silages Differing In Condensed Tannin Content As A Replacement For Soya Bean Meal In The Diet Of Dairy Cows, K. J. Hart, R. G. Wilkinson, L. A. Sinclair, J. A. Huntington

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Adesogan et al. (2004), has demonstrated that ensiled pea wheat intercrops can reduce the amount of concentrate fed to dairy cows by 50% without affecting milk yield or composition. A limitation of forage peas for high yielding dairy cows is the low by-pass protein content, but it has been suggested by Broderick (1995), that feeding forages that contain low levels of condensed tannin can improve nitrogen utilisation. The objective of the current experiments was to evaluate the potential of whole-crop pea silage differing in condensed tannin content to replace soya bean meal in the diet of late lactation, pregnant …

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.

Comparison Of Different Maize Hybrids Cultivated And Fermented With Or Without Sorghum, Sz. Orosz, Z. Bellus, Zs. Kelemen, E. Zerényi, J. Helembai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Hungary our key forage crop is silage maize, however, the joint growing of maize and sorghum is increasingly important in arid regions. The reason is, that sorghum varieties tolerate well the various ecological stresses (drought). The joint growing of maize and sorghum varieties has several advantages and disadvantageous in respect of yields, safety of production, fermentability of the crop and nutrient content of the silage. The basis of realising the complementary qualities of the two crops and of the successful joint growing and preservation is the suitable pairing of hybrid varieties.