K. Bolsen

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.

Evaluation of inoculant and NPN silage additives: a summary of 26 trials and 65 farm-scale silages

Results from 26 trials comparing fermentation, dry matter (DM) recovery, and effects on cattle performance of inoculated or nonprotein nitrogen (NPN)-treated silages vs. controls were summarized using paired t-test analysis. Inoculants consistently improved fermentation efficiency, DM recovery, feed conversion, and gain per ton of crop ensiled in both corn and forage sorghum silages. The use of NPN, particularly urea or anhydrous ammonia, adversely affected fermentation efficiency, DM recovery, avg daily gain, and gain per ton of crop ensiled, particularly for the higher moisture forage sorghums.

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.

Whole-plant corn, forage sorghum, and grainsorghum silages for growing cattle

Agronomic and cattle performance traits were measured for eight silages produced in 1991. The silages were: irrigated Pioneer 3377 corn; dryland (early-planted) DeKalb 535 corn; irrigated and dryland DeKalb DK 42Y grain sorghum; and dryland forage sorghums Cargill 200F, Pioneer 947, Northrup King (NK) 300, and Funks 102F. The irrigated corn and NK 300 and Funks 102F forage sorghums had the highest whole-plant dry matter (DM) yields per acre; early-planted corn had the lowest yield. The dryland grain sorghum had the highest grain yield and the early-planted corn, the lowest. Average daily gains (ADG) were excellent for steers fed each of the eight silage rations and reflected the relatively high grain contents of the silages and the high DM intakes (2.37 to 2.81% of body wt). As expected, the irrigated corn silage produced the fastest and most efficient gain; the late-maturing, Funks 102F forage sorghum produced the slowest and least efficient gain.

Selecting forage sorghum cultivars for silage

Eighty forage sorghum cultivars were compared in 1986 for agronomic and silage quality traits. Silage yield ranged from 5.3 to 10.0 tons (t) of dry matter (DM) per acre (mean, 7.4 t); grain yield, from 13 to 113 bushels (bu) per acre (mean, 66 bu). Percent lodging was extremely high, with a mean of 51% and only one cultivar free of lodging. Pre-ensiled DM content ranged from 22.2 to 35.4% (mean, 27.4%) and plant height from 85 to 180 inches (mean, 121 inches). Silage quality results showed that in vitro DM digestibility ranged from 44.6 to 62.1% (mean, 53%); crude protein from 4.5 to 8.2% (mean, 6.8%); neutral detergent fiber from 48.3 to 71.9% (mean, 58.4%); and acid detergent fiber from 27.1 to 49.8% (mean, 35.7%). From the 80 cultivars in 1986, 60 were selected for the 1987 trial. When compared to 1986, the 1987 means showed slightly lower silage (7.0 t) and grain (63 bu) yields and much shorter plants (93 inches). Lodging scores were dramatically lower in 1987 (10%), and DM content was higher (29.1%). The year to year effect influenced all of the agronomic traits measured. The 1986 growing season favored the early maturing forage sorghums, whereas 1987 favored the late maturing cultivars.

Effects of hybrid maturity and growth stage on yield andcomposition of forage and grain sorghums when harvested as silage

Among the forage sorghums, there was a 26-day range in days to half bloom from early to late maturing varieties. Harvest date did not affect crude protein content. However, whole-plant DM yield was significantly lower at the last harvest for the three latest maturing varieties. Grain yield increased over time in the early and intermediate hybrids. Lodging increased significantly over time for all varieties except DeKalb FS-25E.

Urea and limestone additions toforage sorghum silage

Adding urea or limestone to forage sorghum silage increased lactic and acetic acids compared with untreated silage. Urea also elevated the ensiling temperature and increased the DM loss in the silo. Although calves fed the three silages had similar performance, those fed the urea-treated silage tended to have the highest consumption but poorest feed conversion. There were no apparent improvements in silage conservation or feeding value from either urea or limestone.

Inoculant and urea-molasses additives for forage sorghum silage

Inoculant (1177 in one trial) and non-protein nitrogen (LSA-100 in two trials) silage additives were evaluated with whole-plant forage sorghum silage. Steers fed LSA-100 silage gained faster than steers fed control silage supplemented with soybean meal (4.8% in trial 1; 12% in trial 2). Feed conversion was improved 11% in trial 1 and was similar to the control silage in trial 2. Silage inoculated with 1177 supported rates and efficiencies of gain similar to the control silage. Of the nitrogen added from LSA-100, 90.9% in trial 1 and 86.2% in trial 2 was recovered from the concrete stave silos. Dry matter recoveries averaged 6.0 percentage units less for LSA-100 silages than controls, however 1177 increased recovery by 2.65 units. In general, silage from the bottom half of each silo was far more stable in air than that from the top half. The additives did not consistently affect aerobic stability.

Whole-plant forage and grain sorghum silages for growing cattle

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Drought-stressed, irrigated, and additive-treatedcorn silages for growing cattle

Cattle fed drought-stressed corn silage gained about 10% slower but were just as efficient as cattle fed irrigated corn silage. Because the irrigated corn out yielded the drought corn (17.4 VS. 8.2 tons per acre), the irrigated silage gave a much higher cattle gain per acre (1928 VS. 940 1b). Silo Guard II® -treated silage had an advantage in DM recovery and feed conversion over its control and produced 4.6 more pounds of cattle gain per ton of crop ensiled. Cattle fed H/M Inoculant®treated silage gained significantly faster than cattle fed the control, however, the treated silage gave only slight improvements in DM recovery and gain per ton of crop ensiled.