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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of covering methods on the nutritive value of corn silage and performance of dairy cows. Whole-plant corn was harvested at 340 g/kg of dry matter (DM) and ensiled for 135 d in horizontal silos covered with one of the following methods: oxygen barrier film (45-µm thick) + white-on-black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) over the oxygen barrier film (OB+WB); white-on-black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) (WB); black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) (B); or recycled black polyethylene film (200-µm thick) covered with a layer of 10 cm of sugarcane bagasse (RB+SB). Nutrient composition, fermentation profile, and yeast and mold counts in edible silages were similar across treatments. Silage temperature during the storage period was 24.6, 28.7, 28.4 and 33.1 °C for RB+SB, OB+WB, WB and B, respectively, and the proportion of spoiled silage ranged from 28.7 (for the RB+SB treatment) to 74.2 g/kg DM (for the B treatment). Dry matter intake was similar across treatments and averaged 21.9 kg/d. Milk production was higher for cows fed corn silage covered with RB+SB (34.4 kg/d) compared with those fed corn silage covered with B (30.4 kg/d), resulting in higher feed efficiency for RB+SB treatment. Silages covered with OB+WB and WB had intermediate values. In vivo digestibility of organic matter was higher for cows fed corn silage covered with RB+SB compared with those fed corn silage covered with WB and B, but were similar to those fed corn silage covered with OB+WB. The utilization of oxygen barrier films and the protection of polyethylene film with sugarcane bagasse are effective strategies to increase the recovery of digestible nutrients and, consequently, to enhance production efficiency of lactating dairy cows.

Lactobacillus buchneri 40788 and the fibrolytic enzymes β-glucanase and xylanase were applied to chopped sugarcane to study their effects on the nutritive value of silage. Sugarcane was mechanically harvested after 14 mo of growth and treated without (control) or with L. buchneri at a theoretical application rate of 5 × 10(4) cfu/g, 1 × 10(5) cfu/g, or 1 × 10(5) cfu/g plus enzymes. Forage was packed into farm-scale bag silos (40 t/silo) and stored for 92 d. Fifty-six bulls (32 Nellore and 24 Charolais × Nellore) were housed in 20 collective pens and fed diets comprising (dry matter [DM] basis) 458 g/kg sugarcane silage and 542 g/kg concentrates for an 84-d period. Treated silages had higher concentrations of acetic acid and lower concentrations of ethanol. Total mixed rations (TMR) containing inoculated silages exhibited significantly lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration and, consequently, higher in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD). Thus, animals fed TMR containing treated silages spent less time chewing per day and per kilogram of DM intake (DMI), even at higher DMI levels. Nonetheless, the intake of NDF was similar across treatments (0.77 to 0.79 kg/100 kg BW) but markedly lower than the value reported for traditional forages. Average daily gain was significantly greater for animals fed TMR based on inoculated silages due to the higher DMI (14% on average) and the higher energy content of the diets, as indicated by the higher feed efficiency (12% on average). The dose of inoculants used and the addition of fibrolytic enzymes had no significant effects on silage parameters or animal performance. Therefore, inoculation of L. buchneri during sugarcane ensilage can alter the fermentation pattern by increasing acetic acid yield, reducing silage nutrient losses, and improving feed efficiency by bulls.

The use of ensiled sugarcane has been increased lately in Brazil due to the benefits that this technique represents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemical additives on the nutritive value of sugarcane silages. The trial was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with four replicates per treatment. The following additives were applied onto the fresh forage before ensiling: L. buchneri, lime or limestone, 1.0 and 1.5% (wet basis) each, and gypsum 1.0% (wet basis), all of them diluted into 40 L of water per ton of fresh weight of forage. The analyzed variables were: ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and organic and dry matter digestibility. The addition of lime or limestone before ensiling produced silages with higher nutritive value compared to all other treatments, due to the increase of the ash content and dry matter and organic digestibility, and also by reducing the fiber content. The crude protein content range was similar to the values observed in the fresh forage. The treatments containing L. buchneri or gypsum were ineffective in improving the nutritive value of sugarcane silages and became similar to the control silages. Treatment containing lime or limestone improved the nutritive value of the sugarcane silage.A utilização da cana-de-açúcar na forma de silagem constitui-se em um tema que vem se destacando nos últimos anos, e que desperta o interesse de produtores e pesquisadores em função dos benefícios que essa técnica representa. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de aditivos químicos no valor nutritivo da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi desenvolvido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições por tratamento. Os seguintes aditivos foram utilizados para a confecção das silagens: L. buchneri, cal virgem ou calcário em doses de 1,0 e 1,5% da MV e gesso agrícola a 1,0% da MV, diluídos em 40 litros de água por tonelada de forragem. As variáveis analisadas foram: matéria mineral, proteína bruta, digestibilidade da matéria seca e orgânica, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido. Para as variáveis de valor nutritivo, as silagens tratadas com cal virgem ou calcário apresentaram, no momento da abertura, maior teor de cinzas, menor concentração de componentes fibrosos e maiores coeficientes digestibilidade da matéria seca e orgânica. O teor de proteína bruta encontrado para esses tratamentos está dentro da amplitude preconizada para a forragem fresca. A ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar com L. buchneri ou gesso apresentaram desempenho semelhante ao tratamento controle para as variáveis acima mencionadas. O tratamento com cal virgem ou calcário melhorou o valor nutritivo da silagem de cana-de-açúcar.

Objetivou-se avaliar o valor nutritivo, o perfil fermentativo e as perdas de silagens de capim-marandu submetidas aos efeitos de absorventes de umidade e aditivos. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 3 × 5, com três teores de matéria seca (obtidos com adição de polpa cítrica (PCP) ou casca de soja (CSP), ambas peletizadas, em comparação à ausência de aditivos) e cinco aditivos (ausência ou presença de inoculante bacteriano, benzoato de sódio ou ácido fórmico 62% ou 44%). O arranjo resultou em 15 silagens, com 4 repetições, portanto 60 silos experimentais. Avaliaram-se o valor nutritivo, as perdas por gases e efluente e a recuperação de matéria seca (MS). A adição de polpa cítrica ou casca de soja peletizada elevou os teores de MS (29,4 e 28,9%), o que reduziu a produção de efluente (4,1 e 3,8 kg/t MV) e disponibilizou substratos fermentescíveis aos microrganismos, fato confirmado pela maior capacidade fermentativa e pela digestibilidade das silagens. Os aditivos à base de ácido fórmico foram mais efetivos em preservar carboidratos solúveis e proteína, o que culminou em maior digestibilidade. Esses aditivos também reduziram as perdas por gases e elevaram a recuperação de MS. O inoculante contendo bactérias homoláticas não diferiu desses aditivos quanto à digestibilidade das silagens e ainda reduziu as perdas por gases. Entre os aditivos, o benzoato foi o menos efetivo em alterar o padrão fermentativo das silagens de capim-marandu. O valor nutritivo e as perdas da silagem com teor de umidade original, não aditivada, podem ser considerados satisfatórios, contudo, a polpa cítrica e principalmente a casca de soja peletizadas se mostraram opção interessante e devem ser mais estudadas. O uso de aditivos contendo ácido fórmico também deve ser mais explorado com gramíneas tropicais, pois promove benefícios ao longo de todo processo fermentativo.The objective of this trial was to evaluate the nutritional value, fermentation profile and dry matter losses of Palisadegrass silages ensiled with either dried citrus pulp, soybean hulls, chemical or microbial additives. The trial was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design and in a factorial arrangement (3 × 5), with three dry matter levels (wet forage or forage ensiled with pelleted citrus pulp or pelleted soybean hulls) and five additives (without or with the presence of bacterial inoculants or the addition of: sodium benzoate, formic acid in the concentration of 62% or 44%), totalizing 15 treatments and 60 experimental silos. The variables analyzed were: nutritional value, losses due to gases and effluents, and dry matter recovery. The use of dried citrus pulp or soybean hulls at the ensiling time increased the dry matter content (29.4 and 28,9%) and decreased the effluent production (4.1 and 3.8 kg/t of fresh matter), also providing fermentable substrate to microorganisms, resulting in increased fermentation coefficient and digestibility of silages. The use of formic acid resulted in silages with higher digestibility and increased water-soluble carbohydrates and crude protein content. This additive was also effective in reducing the losses due to gases and, as a result, increased the total dry matter recovery. The treatment containing homolactic bacteria showed similar trend of increasing the digestibility and reducing the losses due to gases. The use of sodium benzoate was less effective in altering the fermentation pattern of tropical silages. The nutritional value and total dry matter losses of silages ensiled without additives can be considered satisfactory. However, wet forage ensiled with dried citrus pulp and, mainly, with soybeans hulls showed the best results. Treatments containing formic acid had a beneficial effect on the fermentation profile of tropical grass silages.

Avaliou-se o efeito do uso de aditivos químicos nas perdas de matéria seca, no perfil fermentativo e no valor nutritivo de silagens de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições por tratamento (sete tratamentos). Os seguintes aditivos foram utilizados na confecção das silagens: controle (sem aditivo), L. buchneri, óxido e carbonato de cálcio em doses de 1,0 e 1,5% da massa verde e sulfato de cálcio a 1,0% da massa verde, diluídos em 40 litros de água por tonelada de forragem. As variáveis analisadas foram: perdas totais e gasosas, produção de efluente, recuperação de matéria seca, composição química e valor nutritivo. As menores perdas fermentativas e gasosas foram observadas nas silagens com óxido ou carbonato de cálcio, que resultaram em maior taxa de recuperação de matéria seca. Da mesma forma, as silagens tratadas com estes aditivos apresentaram maior teor de carboidratos solúveis residuais e de ácido lático e reduzida fermentação alcoólica. As silagens tratadas com óxido e carbonato apresentaram, no momento da abertura, maior teor de cinzas, menor concentração de componentes fibrosos e maiores coeficientes digestibilidade da matéria seca e da matéria orgânica. O teor de proteína encontrado nessas silagens foi semelhante ao observado na forragem fresca. A ensilagem de cana-de-açúcar com L. buchneri e sulfato de cálcio possibilitou a obtenção de desempenho similar ao determinado com a silagem sem aditivos. Silagens tratadas com carbonato e óxido de cálcio apresentam maior desempenho durante o processo fermentativo.The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of chemical additives in the dry matter losses, fermentation profile, and nutritive value of sugar cane silages. The trial was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with four replicates per treatment. The following additives were applied to the fresh forage during the ensiling: control (without additive), L. buchneri, calcium oxide and calcium carbonate,1.0 and 1.5% (wet basis) each, and calcium sulfate 1.0% (wet basis), all of them diluted in to 40 L of water per ton of fresh forage. The variables analyzed were: total and gaseous dry matter losses, dry matter recovery, fermentation end products, and nutritive value. The use of calcium oxide or calcium carbonate were effective in reducing dry matter losses and gaseous production and had the highest dry matter recovery rate. Both silages had also low ethanol content and, as a result, had greater concentrations of residual water soluble carbohydrates and lactic acid. The addition of calcium oxide and calcium carbonate at the time of ensiling produced silages with higher nutritive value compared with all other treatments, due to the increase of ash content and dry matter and organic digestibility and also, by reducing the fiber content. The crude protein content range was similar to the values observed in the fresh forage. The treatments with L. buchneri and calcium sulfate were ineffective in altering the fermentation process of sugar cane silages and became similar to the control silages. In summary, the overall analysis pointed out that the treatment containing calcium oxide and calcium carbonate improved the fermentation and storage process.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de animais de alta produção alimentados com rações com diferentes fontes de volumosos. Foram availados os seguintes tratamentos: cana-de-açúcar in natura (CA); silagem de cana-de-açúcar inoculada com L. buchneri (SCA); silagem de milho (SM); e mistura de cana-de-açúcar in natura e silagem de milho (CASM). O experimento foi conduzido em quadrado latino 4×4 com períodos de 21 dias, de modo que, nos sete últimos dias, realizou-se a coleta de amostras. Além da avaliação de desempenho, foram feitas análises bromatológicas dos volumosos, das rações e das sobras e análises da composição do leite e da estabilidade aeróbia dos volumosos e das rações. Observaram-se diferenças quanto ao consumo de MS, que foi maior quando os animais foram alimentados com a SCA (23,5 kg/dia) e a CASM (23,5 kg/dia). Todas as rações propiciaram aos animais elevada produção leiteira (24,4 a 25,5 kg/dia), que não diferiu entre os volumosos. A composição do leite variou somente quanto ao teor de gordura, que foi maior quando os animais foram alimentados com SM (36,1%) e CASM (34,8%). Os resultados de estabilidade aeróbia comprovaram efeito positivo da aditivação bacteriana na SCA, que apresentou a maior estabilidade entre os volumosos (13,63 horas). A ração contendo SM como fonte de volumoso apresentou a menor estabilidade, o que provavelmente explica o baixo consumo dos animais nesse tratamento. A SCA é uma alternativa tecnicamente viável à utilização da planta in natura e ambas podem proporcionar elevadas produções de leite, desde que as rações sejam corretamente balanceadas. A inoculação com L. buchneri melhorou o valor nutritivo e reduziu as perdas fermentativas.The experiment was carried out to evaluate the performance of high produce animals fed rations with different sources of forage, what resulted in the treatment: fresh sugarcane (SC), sugarcane silage inoculated with L. buchneri (SCS), corn silage (CS) and mixture of fresh sugarcane and corn silage (SCCS). The experiment was carried out in a 4×4 latin square design with periods of 21 days, and the last 7 days, of each period was used for sample collections. Besides the performance evaluation, chemical analyses of forages, rations and orts were performed and analyses of milk composition and aerobic stability of forages and rations were also made. There was differences for DM intake, which was higher for SCS (23.5 kg/day) and SCSM (23.5 kg/day). All rations provided to the animals high milk production (24.4-25.5 kg/day), which did not differ among the animals. The milk composition varied only as for fat content, which was higher in the animals fed CS (36.1%) and in the SCCS (34.8%). The aerobic stability results showed positive effect of the bacterial aditivation in SCS, which presented the highest aerobic stability among the forages (13.63 hours). The ration with CS as source of forage presented the worst stability, which could explain the lower intake by the animals in this treatment. The SCS is a technical viable alternative to the use of fresh plant and both can proportionate high milk production, as long as, the rations are properly balanced. The inoculation with L. buchneri showed capable to bring benefits for nutritional value and fermentative losses.