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This objective was to evaluate the effects of insufficient (WET) or ample (CUR) curing on red clover silage (29.4 and 45.3% DM, respectively) and hay (65.1 and 89.1% DM, respectively) ruminal degradation. The red clover field was divided into 5 blocks and each block was divided into 2 plots and then assigned randomly to silage and hay. Hay was packed into minibales (~500 fresh g; ~232 kg DM/m³) and silage into mini-silos (19.5 L; ~214 kg DM/m³). Measurements were taken once storage processes had stabilized for hay and silage (50 and 78 d, respectively). Samples were ground to pass 4-mm screen and weighed (5 g DM) into 10 x 20 cm ANKOM R1020 in situ bags. Bags were hooked to a rope, placed in the ventral sac of the rumen of 2 dairy cows for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. All bags were removed simultaneously, washed, dried, and weighed. This procedure was conducted separately for each block. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (curing extents) x 2 (storage methods) factorial. Differences were declared at P = 0.05. Discrete lag times were higher for WET than CUR (0.23 vs. 0 ± 0.08 h, respectively). The potentially degradable fraction was greater in hay than in silage (50.2 vs. 45.1 ± 1.32% of DM, respectively). Moreover, WET had a greater potentially degradable fraction than CUR (49.6 vs. 45.7 ± 1.32% of DM, respectively). The degradation rate was less in hay than silage (5 vs. 8 ± 0.4%/h, respectively). The WET treatment had a decreased degradation rate than CUR (5 vs. 7, respectively). The undegradable fraction was not different between WET and CUR hay (x2 = 23.3 ± 1.13% of DM). In contrast, WET silage had a decreased undegradable fraction than CUR silage (17.1 vs. 20, respectively). In conclusion, haymaking increased the potentially degradable fraction relative to ensiling but reduced the rate of digestion. For both storage methods, curing reduced the potentially degradable fraction but increased the rate of digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of insufficient (WET) or ample (CUR) curing on red clover silage (29.4 and 45.3% DM, respectively) and hay (65.1 and 89.1% DM, respectively) in vitro fermentation measures. Measurements were taken at the start of storage (STRT), after 14 d (MicA), and once storage processes had stabilized for hay and silage (50 and 78 d, respectively; LATE). The red clover field was divided into 5 blocks and each block was divided into 2 plots and then assigned randomly to silage and hay (storage methods). Hay was packed into mini-bales (~500 fresh g; ~232 kg DM/m3) and silage into mini-silos (19.5 L; ~214 kg DM/m3). Samples at each storage stage were analyzed for in vitro gas production (48 h). Gas kinetics were recorded using the Ankom RF Gas Production System. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (curing extents) x 2 (storage methods) x 3 (storage phases) factorial. Differences were declared at P = 0.05. The data was analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS 9.4. At STRT, the Asymptotic maximal gas production (M) and fermentation rate (k) were not different between CUR and WET hay (x2 = 240.5 ± 7.33 mL/g incubated DM and x2 = 13.2 ± 0.56% of gas production/h, respectively). However, at MicA, CUR hay had a greater M and k than WET hay (232.7 vs. 192.6 and 13.9 vs. 9.33, respectively). The same was observed at LATE (237.6 vs. 197.6 and 13 vs. 8.36, respectively). At STRT, the CUR and WET silage was not different for M and k (x2 = 233.4 ± 7.33 mL/g incubated DM and x2 = 14.06 ± 0.56% of gas production/h, respectively). A similar trend was observed at MicA (x2 = 220 and 13.6, respectively) and LATE (x2 = 219.7 and 14.7). In conclusion, ample curing of red clover hay preserves the fermentation kinetics relative to insufficient curing, especially after 14 d of storage. In the case of red clover silage, the fermentation kinetics was not affected by the curing extent across the storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to assess the effects of insufficient (WET) or ample (CUR) curing on the phytoestrogen concentrations of red clover silage (29.4 and 45.3% DM) and hay (65.1 and 89.1, respectively). Measurements were taken at the start of storage (STRT), after 14 d (MicA), and once storage processes had stabilized for hay and silage (50 and 78 d, respectively; LATE). Hay was packed into mini-bales (~500 fresh g; ~232 kg DM/m³) and silage into minisilos (19.5 L; ~214 kg DM/m³). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (curing extents) x 2 (storage methods) x 3 (storage phases) factorial. Differences were declared at P ≤ 0.05. The concentration of formononetin was greater in silage vs. hay at STRT (4,624 vs. 2,893 ± 175 mg/kg of DM, respectively), MicA (5,383 vs. 2,110), and LATE (5,666 vs. 2,569). Also, more formononetin was found in WET vs. CUR silage (5,841 vs. 4,608.1± 154 mg/kg of DM, respectively). However, no differences were observed between WET vs. CUR hay (x2 = 2,524). At STRT, biochanin A was greater in silage vs. hay (3,105 vs. 2,012 ± 139 mg/kg of DM, respectively). A similar trend was observed at MicA (3,233 vs. 1,057), and LATE (3,295 vs. 1,228). In addition, more biochanin A was observed in WET vs. CUR silage (3,793 vs. 2,628.9 ± 127 mg/kg of DM, respectively). The opposite was observed in WET vs. CUR hay (1,219.5 vs. 1,644.9). The genistein concentration was greater in silage vs. hay at STRT (149 vs. 120 ± 8.36 mg/kg of DM, respectively), MicA (246 vs. 62.6), and LATE (264 vs. 72.9). Also, the concentration of genistein was greater in WET vs. CUR silage (236 vs. 202.3 ± 7.21 mg/kg of DM, respectively) but the opposite was observed in WET vs. CUR hay (72.8 vs. 97.3). In the case of daidzein, hay had a greater concentration of this phytoestrogen than silage (12.8 vs. 6.67 ± 0.43 mg/kg of DM, respectively). In conclusion, red clover silage maintains greater concentrations of formononetin, biochanin A, and genistein than hay during curing period and across the storage phase. Also, adequate curing is more beneficial for silage than hay in terms of decreasing the phytoestrogen concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of application rate (AR) of sodium lignosulfonate and propionic acid on the in vitro fermentation measures of high moisture alfalfa hay. Treatments (TRT) were sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and Propionic Acid (PRP), which were applied at four AR: 0 (CON), 0.25, 0.5 and 1% (w/w fresh basis) to 20% bloom alfalfa hay (second cut) at 68.5% DM and packed into mini bales (10.3×10.8×13cm; 346 kg fresh/m3). The treated bales were stored for 33 days in open-top insulation boxes in a room kept at 22°C, after which they were dried, ground to 1 mm and incubated in vitro for 48hr with ruminal fluid from two ruminally cannulated Holstein cows in lactation. Gas kinetics were recorded using the Ankom RF Gas Production System. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (TRT) x 4 (AR) factorial arrangement, and differences were declared at P = 0.05. Both TRT increased apparent in vitro DM digestibility (DMD) at all AR relative to CON (54.3 vs 50.1 ± 1.20%, respectively). PRP increased asymptotic maximal (188.4) and rate of gas production (9.46) compared to NaL (179.7 ± 4.82 ml/g of incubated DM and 8.72 ± 0.45%/h, respectively). Total VFA were higher for PRP (117.5) vs NaL (114.8), and for both TRT at 1% relative to CON (118.9 vs. 113.8 ± 1.68mM). Acetate (A) was increased by both TRT at 1% (~73.5) and propionate (P) was increased by PRP at 1% (26.1) relative to CON (69.9 ± 1.10 and 24.2 ± 0.29mM, respectively), but the A:P ratio was higher for NaL at 1% (3.02) vs. CON (2.89 ± 0.04). In conclusion, NaL and PRP at 1% improved the rumen in vitro fermentation measures of high moisture alfalfa hay but PRP did so to a greater extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of preservatives on the in vitro fermentation measures of wet brewer's grain (WBG) silage at different stages of storage. Treatments (TRT) were sodium lignosulfonate at 1% (NaL1) and 2% (NaL2; w/w of fresh WBG), propionic acid (PRP; 0.5% w/w of fresh WBG), a combination inoculant (INO; Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus buchneri each at 4.9 log cfu/fresh WBG g), and untreated WBG (CON). WBG (Fresh) were packed into 8.8 L minisilos and stored for 60 d at 21°C (Ensiled), then they were opened and aerobically exposed for 10d (AES). Samples from each stage of storage (STG; Fresh, Ensiled and AES) were analyzed for in vitro ruminal digestibility (24 h). Gas kinetics were recorded using the Ankom RF Gas Production System. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 5 (TRT) × 3 (STG) factorial arrangement. Apparent in vitro DM digestibility (DMD) decreased across STG, (51.5, 47.2 and 40.9 for Fresh, Ensiled and AES, respectively) and increased for NaL1, NaL2 and PRP (~47.8) vs. CON (43.0 ± 2.12%). PRP increased apparent in vitro OM digestibility (OMD) when Ensiled (54.5) and NaL2 increased it for AES (47.1) vs CON (46.3 and 39.9 ± 1.73%, respectively). The asymptotic maximal (M) and rate (k) of gas production decreased across STG (214.6, 181.5, 155.1 and 14.6, 12.6, and 9.8, for Fresh, Ensiled and AES, respectively). PRP increased (200.0) and NaL1 decreased (169.3) M vs. CON (183.9± 7.81ml/incubated DM g), while NaL1 and NaL2 (~11.4) decreased k vs. CON (13.4 ± 0.85%/h). Methane concentration and yield were higher in Fresh vs. other STG (0.94 vs. ~0.84 ± 0.07mM and 0.27 vs. ~0.23 ± 0.03mmol/g fermented OM). Spoilage of WBG decreases fermentability and methane production while PRP and NaL improve digestibility with the former also increasing M and k. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate the effects of application rate (AR) of sodium lignosulfonate and propionic acid on high moisture alfalfa hay spoilage during storage. Treatments (TRT) were sodium lignosulfonate (NaL) and Propionic Acid (PRP), which were applied at four AR: 0 (CON), 0.25, 0.5 and 1% (w/w fresh basis) to 20% bloom alfalfa hay (second cut) at 68.5% DM and packed into mini bales (10.3x10.8x13cm; 346kg fresh/m3). The treated bales were stored for 33 days in opentop insulation boxes in a room kept at 22°C. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (TRT) x 4 (AR) factorial arrangement, and differences were declared at P = 0.05. At day 0, no differences were observed for DM (68.5 ± 0.61 %), CP (23.2 ± 0.31% DM), and NDF (42.6 ± 0.66% DM), but NaL had more sugars than PRP (0.99 vs. 0.87 ± 0.66% DM) and PRP at 1% reduced mold counts vs. CON (4.71 vs. 4.97 ± 0.05 log cfu/fresh g). At day 33, DM losses were decreased by PRP at 0.5 and 1% (0.9), relative to CON (6.92) and to NaL (6.63 ± 1.13%). Both TRT decreased NDF at 0.25% (46.3) and furthermore at 1% (44.2) relative to CON (49.4), but overall PRP had lower NDF (45.2) than NaL (47.2± 0.81% DM). No differences were observed for sugars and CP. Visual moldiness (0-10) and mold counts were also decreased by PRP at 0.5% (2.4 and 5.30) and 1% (0 and 2.7) relative to CON (6.0 and 7.13) and NaL (5.85 ± 0.67 and 7.21 ± 0.31 log cfu/fresh g, respectively). In conclusion, NaL failed to prevent spoilage of high moisture hay while PRP was effective at doses >0.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]