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The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with bacteriocinogenic activity isolated from stylo silages on the microbial population, chemical composition and fermentation profile of forage peanut silage (FPS) and to identify LAB species in forage peanut and its silages based on the 16 S rRNA sequence analysis. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a 5 × 6 factorial arrangement (five inoculants (I) × six fermentation periods (P)) and three replicates. The following inoculants were evaluated: without inoculant (CTRL); a commercial inoculant at a dose of 107 colony forming units (cfu) g-1 fresh matter (CI1); a commercial inoculant at a dose of 105 cfu g-1 fresh matter (CI2); Pediococcus acidilactici strain 10.6 (S1); and Pool of bacteriocinogenic strains (POOL), including S1, P. pentosaceus strain 6.16 and P. acidilactici strain 10.4. The fermentation periods were 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. The largest LAB populations were observed in silages treated with S1 (8.66 log cfu g-1) and POOL (8.69 log cfu g-1). At the end of the fermentation period, a higher content of dry matter (222.53 g kg-1) and lactic acid (66.30 g kg-1) and lower values of pH (4.76) and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (9.50% of total nitrogen) were observed for silage treated with S1. The screening of LAB from forage peanut silage revealed that P. pentosaceus was the predominant species. In addition, the wild strain of P. acidilactici 10.6 established a desirable microbial population during the fermentation process reflecting a highest lactic acid concentration and lowest pH values after 56 days of fermentation. • Pediococcus pentosaceus is the predominant species in forage peanut silage. • Bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus acidilactici is promising for use as a microbial inoculant. • Inoculants reduced mold and yeast populations in forage peanut silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study assessed the intake, total and partial apparent digestibility of nutrients, pH, ruminal ammonia concentration, nitrogen efficiency usage, and productive performance of beef cattle fed with different soybean meal replacement levels with inactive dry yeast (IDY 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000g/kg). The forage:concentrate ratio was 60:40 and the forage source was corn silage. Concentrates were formulated to comprise 220.0g/kg CP independent of treatments. In the first experiment (EXP 1), 35 Nelore bulls with an initial average weight of 370±42kg were distributed across a completely randomized design, with five treatments and seven replicates to assess nutrient intake and performance. EXP 1 lasted 98 days and was divided into a 14-day adaptation period and three experimental periods of 28 days each. In the second experiment (EXP 2), five castrated Nelore steers with an initial average weight of 320±39kg were fistulated in the rumen and abomasum and distributed in a 5×5 Latin square design, balanced for residual effect. The purpose of this experiment was to assess the total and partial digestibility of nutrients, pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen, and nitrogen efficiency of usage. EXP 2 lasted 90 days, divided into five experimental periods. Each period lasted 18 days and was divided into 10 days for adaptation to the diets and 8 days to collect samples. The intake of dry matter (DMI) decreased linearly (P=0.03) with increased dietary IDY levels. Conversely, the intake of neutral detergent fiber assayed with a heat-stable amylase and corrected for ash and nitrogenous compounds [aNDFom(n)] in g/day (P=0.043), and the g/kg body weight (P=0.011) increased linearly as IDY was added to the concentrate. The experimental diets showed no effect (P>0.05) on the total and partial apparent nutrient digestibility. IDY had no effect (P>0.05) on ruminal pH, ruminal ammonia nitrogen, or dietary nitrogen efficiency. Additionally, IDY had no effect on productive performance variables, with the exception of average daily gain (ADG), which decreased linearly (P=0.028) as IDY was added to the concentrate. IDY addition resulted in decreases in DMI and ADG for beef cattle in feedlots (EXP 2). However, the apparent digestibility of nutrients and microbial efficiency were not affected. In addition, IDY did not reduce feed conversion or carcass gain. The high market price of soybean meal might make feasible its total replacement by IDY, even considering the possibility of a small reduction in ADG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the total and partial digestibility, ruminal pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) concentration, nitrogen balance (Experiment 1) and performance (Experiment 2) of beef cattle fed diets containing corn silage (CS) and Stylosanthes (silage or hay) as forage source. Treatments were: 1) CS; 2) Stylosanthes silage (StS); 3) Stylosanthes hay (StH); 4) CS + StS (StS-mixed diet); and 5) CS + StH (StH-mixed diet). Experimental diets (125 g CP/kg DM) consisted of 50% forage and 50% concentrate (DM basis). Five cannulated bulls (251 ± 42.6 kg of body weight) were distributed to a 5 × 5 Latin square (Experiment 1). The trial lasted 80 d. The experiment 2 was performed with 40 bulls (360 ± 2.7 kg of body weight) in a completely randomized design and eight replicates during a 99-days period. In experiment 1, CS diet showed greater (P ≤ 0.02) total digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NDF than other diets. Mixed diets had greater (P = 0.02) total NDF digestibility compared to StS and StH. Corn silage showed greater total digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and CP (P ≤ 0.03) compared to mixed diets. Ruminal NDF digestibility was greater (P = 0.03) for CS than other diets. Ruminal pH was greater (P < 0.01) for StS and StH compared to mixed diets. There was a treatment × hour interaction (P = 0.02) for ruminal NH 3 -N. In the experiment 2, animals fed CS presented lower (P ≤ 0.03) intake of DM, OM, EE, NDF, iNDF, but greater (P ≤ 0.01) intake of TDN, DOM and NFC than animals fed other diets. The intake of all nutrients, except for NDFi, was greater for mixed diets than StS and StH (P < 0.01). Mixed diets showed greater (P < 0.01) intake of most nutrients compared to CS diet, except for the intake of TDN and DOM, which were similar (P > 0.60). Corn silage showed greater (P < 0.01) digestibility of all nutrients than other diets. Stylosanthes silage and StH had greater (P ≤ 0.03) digestibility of DM, CP and NFC than mixed diets. Average daily gain (ADG) and carcass average daily gain (CADG) were greater (P ≤ 0.03) for CS diet than others, but mixed diets were similar (P ≥ 0.67) to CS. Mixed diets had greater (P < 0.01) ADG and CADG than StS and StH, while StS showed greater (P = 0.05) ADG compared to StH. Carcass yield was greater (P = 0.02) for StH compared to StS. Diets containing 50% CS and 50% StS or StH are alternatives to CS in ration of finishing beef cattle. • Corn silage- Stylosanthes mixtures increased nutrient intake compared to corn silage. • Diets containing Stylosanthes showed lower digestibility than corn silage diet. • Nitrogen balance was not compromised by using Stylosanthes in the diet of beef cattle. • Corn silage- Stylosanthes mixtures showed similar cattle performance to corn silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aerobic stability (AS), fermentative profile, and nutritive value of corn silage harvested at two maturity stages, with the use of xylanase, associated or not with Lentilactobacillus buchneri. In trial 1, corn was harvested with a low dry matter (DM) content (250 g/kg) and ensiled in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme (4 additives and 2 storage periods), in a completely randomized design, with 4 replications. The additives tested were as follows: control (CT; no inoculant), L. buchneri (LB), xylanase (XL), and LB+XL (LBXL). The storage periods were 30 and 60 days. The neutral detergent fiber (P=0.041) and acid detergent fiber (P=0.024) content were lower in LB silage after 60 days of storage. The lactic acid bacteria population was higher (P<0.001) in LB and LBXL, while the yeast population (P=0.008) decreased in these treatments. The lactic acid concentration was lower (P<0.001) in LB at 30 days and higher at 60 days. The acetic acid content was higher (P=0.014) in LB at 60 days, but there was no difference between treatments at 30 days. The AS was higher (P<0.001) in LB and LBXL silages. All additives increased the soluble fraction of DM (P=0.015) and organic matter (OM; P=0.013). The effective digestibility of DM and OM was higher (P≤0.001) for LB and lower for CT at all passage rates. In trial 2, corn was harvested at a high DM content (360 g/kg) and ensiled in a completely randomized design with 5 replications, using the same additives as in trial 1. The ammonia content was lower (P=0.043) in LBXL silage and higher in LB. The lignin (sa) content was lower (P=0.019) in LBXL silage and higher in CT silage. The population of filamentous fungi (FUN) was higher (P=0.029) in CT silage and lower in LBXL. The same trend was observed in the population of FUN after 7 days of aerobic exposure (P=0.018). The effective digestibility of DM and OM at passage rates of 2 % was higher (P≤0.029) in LBXL silage and lower in XL silage. Inoculating corn silage with only L. buchneri was more efficient in improving the fermentative profile, aerobic stability, and nutritive value of silage than using xylanase associated or not with LB, especially in corn silage harvested at a low DM content. • Xylanase enzyme does not affect fermentation or corn silage fiber content. • Inoculation with L. buchneri is more efficient in corn silage with a lower DM content. • Inoculation improves the nutritional value of corn silage more than xylanase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu silages (BBS) were ensiled at two (35 and 70 d) regrowth ages (RA), with and without microbial inoculant (MI). No differences were observed regarding the chemical composition and fermentation parameters, with the exception of volatile fatty acids, which were affected by MI and RA interaction. No effects were observed on total nutrient digestibility in beef steers. The ruminal digestibility of ether extract and crude protein and the NH 3 -N concentration were affected by treatments. No effects were observed on total nutrient intake and beef steers performance. These findings were investigated by conducting three trials. Silage preparation and quality attributes were evaluated using a 2 × 2 factorial scheme in a completely randomized design. Rumen degradation and nutrient outflow to abomasum from silages were evaluated using four Nellore steers with a 267 ± 12 kg body weight (BW), which were fistulated in the rumen and abomasum and distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Beef steers performance was evaluated using a total of 32 Holstein × Zebu steers with a 364 ± 20 kg BW, which were distributed into eight randomized blocks. In a brief view, an earlier harvest of B. brizantha cv. Marandu grass, at 35 d of regrowth, did not increased the nutritional value of silage, nutrient digestibility, microbial or nitrogen use efficiency and beef cattle performance, when compared with a later harvest, at 70 d. The addition of microbial inoculant did not improve DM recovery, fermentation process, and did not influenced beef cattle nutrient intake and performance. Also, this inoculant was unable to reduce fermentation losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]