B.E. Brent

Effect of level of surface-spoiled silage on teh nutritive value of corn silage-based rations

Twelve ruminally cannulated crossbred steers were used to determine the effect of level of surface spoilage in corn silage-based rations on dry matter (DM) intake and nutrient digestibilities. Irrigated corn was harvested at the 80% milkline stage of maturity and ensiled in pilot-scale bunker silos, which were 3 ft in depth, and a 9-ft-diameter AgBag. After 90 days, the bunkers were sealed with a single sheet of polyethylene, and this silage was designated “spoiled”. The silage in the AgBag was designated “normal”. The four rations contained 90% silage and 10% supplement (DM basis), and the proportions of silage in the rations were: A) 100% normal; B) 75% normal: 25% spoiled; C) 50% normal: 50% spoiled; and D) 25% normal: 75% spoiled. Dry matter intake decreased in a linear manner as the proportion of spoiled silage increased from 0 to 75%. Steers consuming the normal silage ration had higher DM, organic manner, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber digestibilities than those fed the three rations that contained spoiled silage. The addition of surface-spoiled silage also had negative associative effects on nutrient digestibilities, and the integrity of the forage mat in the rumen was destroyed partially by even the lowest level of spoiled silage.

Losses from top spoilage in horizontal silosin western Kansas

The top 3 ft. of silage from each of 30 horizontal silos in western Kansas was sampled at three locations across the width of the silo for 2 consecutive years (1990 and 1991). Ninety-five percent of the silages were either corn or forage sorghum, and only 22 percent of the silos were sealed with polyethylene sheeting. Losses of organic matter (OM) from spoilage were estimated by using ash content as an internal marker. Sealing silos dramatically reduced the estimated spoilage losses in the top 3 ft.

Improving silage quality

Results at Kansas State University from over 200 laboratory-scale trials and 28 farmscale trials showed that bacterial inoculants consistently improved preservation efficiency and nutritive value of the ensiled material. In contrast, anhydrous ammonia or urea adversely affected dry matter recovery and production per ton of crop ensiled. Economic analysis also favored the use of bacterial inoculants over nonproteinnitrogen additives. Research conducted using corn, sorghum, and alfalfa silages showed that sealing the exposed surface dramatically reduced top spoilage losses in bunker, trench, or stack silos.; Dairy Day, 1995, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1995;

Economics of sealing horizontal silos

This report is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. Copyright 1997 Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.

Rate and extent of top spoilage lossesof alfalfa silage stored in horizontal silos1

Effects of covering, time, and depth from the surface on the rate and extent of top spoilage losses in alfalfa silages stored in horizontal silos were studied under pilotand farm-scale conditions. Covering silages increased silage DM and nutrient recoveries, regardless of time or depth from the original surface, when compared to uncovered counterparts. Treatment × location × time interactions (P<.001) were observed for pH, lactic acid, and DM recovery in uncovered silages. By week 2 post-ensiling, significant deterioration had occurred in the top foot of uncovered silages, as evidenced by higher pH (7.36) and lower lactic acid (2.1% of the silage DM) and DM recoveries (85.6% of the DM ensiled). After week 4 post-ensiling, significant deterioration had occurred in the second foot from the surface, and it continued into the third foot after week 7. These data indicate that protecting the silage stored in the top 3 ft of horizontal silos immediately after filling should greatly increase storage efficiency.

Effects of Biomate® inoculant and dextroseon the fermentation of alfalfa silages

This study documented once again that ensiling alfalfa is difficult and unpredictable. Adding 2% dextrose or Biomate® inoculant alone or in combination had little influence on the ensiling process but did improve fermentation efficiency somewhat. The pre-ensiling characteristics (i.e., dry matter (DM) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) values, buffering capacity, and epiphytic microflora) at the different cuttings and stages of maturity undoubtedly influenced the effectiveness of the two additives. Apparently, alfalfa often has too little WSC and too much buffering capacity to produce adequately preserved silage, especially when ensiled at a low DM content (less than 30 to 34%).

Rate and extent of losses from top spoilage in pilot-scale, horizontal silos

Corn and forage sorghum silages were stored in pilot-scale silos for 180 days, and dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) recoveries and estimated OM recovery were measured at three depths within the top 3 ft. of silage. The unsealed silages deteriorated badly in the top 12 in. Actual DM and OM losses in the top 24 in. were higher in unsealed than sealed silages at each successive storage period (7 to 180 days).

Top spoilage losses in horizontal silos in western Kansas

The top 3 feet from 30 horizontal silos was sampled at three depths to determine top spoilage losses, using ash content as an internal marker. When compared to face samples, corn and forage sorghum silages exhibited similar additional organic matter (OM) losses in the top 18 inches. In the top 18 inches, covering silage reduced spoilage losses of OM from 41 to 27 percentage units compared to uncovered counterparts. Covering corn silage reduced spoilage losses of OM from 49 to 31 and 9 to 1 percentage units in the top and second 18 inches, respectively. Similar reductions in OM losses from covering were observed in the forage sorghum silages. Although spoilage losses observed in covered silages appear high, covering silage stored in horizontal silos greatly reduced the estimated storage losses in the top 3 feet.

Silage Management: important practices often overlooked

Effective bacterial inoculants promote a faster and more efficient fermentation of the ensiled crop, which increases both the quantity and quality of the silage. Inoculants have inherent advantages over other addi-tives, including low cost, safety in handling, a low application rate per ton of chopped forage, and no residues or environmental problems. The bacteria in commercial products include one or more of the following species: Lactobacillus plantarum or other Lactobacillus species, various Pediococcus species, and Enterococcus faecium. These strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been isolated from silage crops or silages and were selected because: 1) they are homofermentative (i.e., ferment sugars predominantly to lactic acid), and 2) they grow rapidly under a wide range of temperature and moisture conditions. Recently, several products also have contained Lactobacillus buchneri (a heterofermentative LAB) or strains of Propionibacterium (which are capable of producing propionic acid during the ensiling process).

Rapid nutrient evaluation of sorghum silages using two types of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

This report is brought to you for free and open access by New Prairie Press. It has been accepted for inclusion in Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports by an authorized administrator of New Prairie Press. Copyright 1997 Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service.