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BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION There are few studies on the effects of electrically stimulated bacteria on anti‐nutritional factors and microbial communities in mulberry leaf silage. This study aimed to examine the impact of the combined use of electrically stimulated Bacillus subtilis (EB) and Lactobacillus casei (LC) on the quality and degradation of anti‐nutritional factors in mulberry leaf silage.The results revealed that the synergistic effect of EB and LC significantly enhanced the nutritional value of mulberry leaves, as evidenced by the promotion of lactic acid synthesis, the reduction of anti‐nutritional factors, and the augmentation of lactic acid bacteria following a 60‐day silage period. Moreover, the EB + LC co‐inoculation resulted in the highest quality of mulberry leaf silage, with the degradation rates of tannin and phytic acid at 38.8% and 47.1%, respectively. The combination of EB + LC also enhanced lactic acid content, along with significant reductions in ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N), soluble protein, and non‐protein nitrogen (NPN) (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that Lactobacillus in the silage was significantly positively correlated with crude protein (CP) and lactic acid, while negatively correlated with water‐soluble carbohydrates, pH and NPN (P < 0.05). In contrast, Weissella was significantly negatively correlated with CP and lactic acid.This study represents a pioneering application of electro‐stimulation in the field of feed silage, offering a scientifically substantiated approach to degrading anti‐nutritional factors in mulberry leaves for livestock feeding. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different types of supplied roughage may cause losses in the chemical composition and digestibility of gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium [Jacq.] Kunth ex Walp.) depending on their making and fed-out management. This study has summarized data from scientific studies on gliricidia and compared its nutritional value in various fed forms using a systematic review approach and principal component analysis (PCA). A robust survey of scientific papers was realized on web indexes of periodicals and databases from 1990 to 2023. Data from 100 scientific researches has been compiled and analyzed. In 40% of the trials, the gliricidia nutritional value was determined as fresh leaves, while 30% was in the form of ‘leaves + thin stems’. Gliricidia was evaluated as silage in 11% of the opportunities, followed by 10% as leaf meal and 9% as hay. Non-fiber carbohydrates, crude protein (CP), and organic matter digestibility (OM) had negative correlations with neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin. Only NDF, ADF, and CP contents could explain 71% of the total data variation (PC1 and PC2). There was no discrimination among fed forms, so they showed similar nutrient compositions. Eventual nutrient losses reported in the scientific researches owing to ensilage, haymaking, and leaf meal-making processes do not mischaracterize the gliricidia nutritional value. The assorted manners of roughage making, and fed-out management traditionally performed by farmers can conserve the excellent nutritional quality of gliricidia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fodder scarcity and low quality affect the productivity of dairy cattle in Kenya yet only few smallholder dairy farmers show positive deviance in fodder conservation. Information on the strategies of such positive deviant (PD) farmers is scanty. The objective of this study was to determine strategies that distinguish PDs from peers (non-PDs) in fodder conservation among smallholder dairy farmers in highlands and midlands of Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among farms producing and conserving fodder in Tharaka Nithi County. Multistage sampling procedures was used; purposive sampling of the Sub-counties and locations, random selection of villages and proportional selection of 246 farms through snowball chain referral. Data were collected on demographic, socio-economic, farm characteristics and fodder conservation. Farms were categorized as PDs (n = 24) or non-PDs (n = 97). The PDs conserved fodder adequate to last dry season (about 3 months) and had milk yield 15 kg/cow/day and above, while non-PDs do not qualify for both criteria. Chi-square and T-test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables respectively. Logit regression was used to examine independent variables that influence probability of PDs. Farmers with high school and tertiary education who accessed extension services were PDs while non-PDs had non-formal and primary education and access extension less. Farms conserving hay and silage dominated PDs. Land in hectare (ha) and herd sizes in Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU) distinguished PDs (1.7 ha and 9.0 TLU) from non-PDs (0.7 ha and 3.3 TLU). The strategies that distinguished PDs from non-PDs were allocating land to fodder production, high milk yield kg/cow/day, large herd size and access to extension services. Increasing access to extension and resources (land) raised chances of PDs in fodder conservation. Knowledge of PDs strategies is important for fodder conservation, improve productivity and inform direction of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the nitrogen fertilisation supply method on wheat silage fermentation parameters and nutritional value. Eighteen experimental plots were used in a randomised block design to assess the following treatments: (1) control (CON): crop without nitrogen fertilisation; (2) surface (SUR): 100 kg/ha N during the crop, applied in surface; (3) furrows (FUR): 100 kg/ha N during the crop, applied in furrows during the seeding. Whole plants were manually harvested at 5 cm height 83 days after the sowing. One experimental silo (PVC tubes) was produced for each agronomical plot and stored for 69 days. In general, N fertilisation did not affect silage pH and ammonia-N (NH3-N) content, but silos FUR had less NH3-N than those with SUR. Fertilisation increased the CP and DM content and reduced starch in the silage. FUR increased DM and reduced CP compared to SUR. Furthermore, N fertilisation increased non-protein nitrogen and decreased in vitro degradation of DM and OM. Fertilisation methods did not affect N fractions in silage or in vitro degradation. Therefore, N fertilisation, especially FUR, reduces NH3-N and CP and increases DM content of silage, but decreases in vitro DM and OM degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a simulation model for determining the most suitable type of microbiogas plant for small local communities on Slovenian farms, focusing on the efficient processing of organic waste. This model uses various input parameters, including different types and quantities of slurry and corn silage. Four different scenarios were developed to represent potential plant sizes, each evaluated using key economic indicators: net present value, breakthrough price, and internal rate of return. A scenario sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the effects of changes in investment costs, fluctuations in energy prices, and the addition of corn silage to the anaerobic digestion process. The results highlight significant differences in economic viability across the scenarios, with some demonstrating positive financial outcomes and shorter payback periods and others indicating potential financial risks and longer recovery times under certain conditions. The analysis suggests that smaller micro biogas plants may struggle to achieve profitability without optimizing input ratios or reducing costs, whereas larger plants show more favorable economic indicators, provided certain conditions are met. Furthermore, the economic efficiency improves when adding maize silage to the fermentor mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, fresh whole corn plants along with half milk kernels line were treated with live and hydrolysed yeast with different concentrations before ensiling and kept in airtight bags and then into mini silos in order to achieve anaerobic conditions for proper fermentation. The buckets were opened after different time intervals to characterise the material, quick acidification, dry matter recovery, and aerobic stability of silage respectively. Moreover, mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination were also analysed. The overall result reported that the silage quality was improved by the application of live and hydrolysed yeast. The best result was reported by the application of live yeast (T2: 10 g/kg) which significantly improved the fermentative, proximate, and digestibility parameters and reduced the mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination. Our results present promising new options for the use of natural compounds that may help to improve silage quality and reduce aflatoxin contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-throughput metagenomic sequence technology was employed to evaluate changes in microbial community composition and carbohydrate-active enzymes encoding gene enrichment status in Elymus nutans silages to altitudinal gradients in the world's highest alpine region of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). E. nutans were collected from three different altitudes in QTP: 2,600 m (low altitude), 3600 m (moderate altitude), and 4,600 m [high (H) altitude], and ensiled for 7, 14, 30, and 60 d. Results indicated an improvement in silage quality with the increasing altitude, although the acetic acid concentration and dry matter loss were greater in H altitude silages after 30 d of ensiling. Harmful bacteria or potential pathogens predominated in the microbial community on d 7 and 14 of fermentation, while genera belonging to lactic acid bacteria gradually became the main microorganisms with the increasing altitude on d 30 and 60 of ensiling. The abundance of carbohydrate-active enzymes genes responsible for macromolecular carbohydrate degradation in silage increased with increasing altitude, and those genes were mainly carried by Lactiplantibacillus and Pediococcus at 30 and 60 d of ensiling. The abundance of key enzymatic genes associated with glycolysis and organic acid production in carbohydrate metabolism pathway was higher in H altitude silages, and Lactiplantibacillus and Pediococcus were also the main hosts after 30 d of silage fermentation, except for the fact that acetic acid production was also related to genera Leuconostoc, Latilactobacillus, and Levilactobacillus. IMPORTANCE The fermentation quality of Elymus nutans silage was getting better with the increase of altitude in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The abundance of hosts carrying carbohydrate-active enzymes genes and key enzyme genes related to organic acid production increased with increasing altitude during the later stages of fermentation. Lactiplantibacillus and Pediococcus were the core microorganisms responsible for both polysaccharide hydrolysis and silage fermentation in the late stage of ensiling. This study provided insights on the influence of different altitudes on the composition and function of silage microbiome in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and provided a reference approach for improving the quality and controllability of silage production in high altitude areas of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Dietary carbohydrate manipulation can be used to reduce enteric CH 4 emission, but few studies have focused on the interaction of the different types of carbohydrates that can affect feed intake and ruminal fermentation. Understanding this interaction is necessary to make the most out of CH 4 mitigation feeding strategies using different dietary carbohydrates. The aim of this study was to test the effect on enteric CH 4 emission, feed intake, and milk production response when cows were fed either grass-clover silage (GCS) or corn silage (CS) as the sole forage source (55% of dry matter, DM), in combination with either barley (BAR) or dried beet pulp (DBP) as a concentrate (21.5% of DM). A total of 24 (half first-parity and half second-parity) cows were used in a crossover design with 2 periods of 21 d each, receiving 2 of 4 diets obtained from a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of the experimental diet. Feed intake, CH 4 emission metrics, and milk production were recorded at the end of the experimental periods. The diets had NDF concentrations between 258 and 340 g/kg of DM and starch concentrations between 340 and 7.45 g/kg of DM (CS-BAR and GCS-DBP, respectively). The effects of silage and concentrate on dry matter intake (DMI) were additive, with the highest feed intake in cows fed CS-BAR, followed by cows fed CS-DBP, GCS-BAR, and GCS-DBP (21.2, 19.9, 19.1, and 18.3 kg/d, respectively). Energy corrected milk (ECM) yield was not affected by silage source in first parity cows, but it was higher for cows fed CS than cows fed GCS in second parity. The effects of silage and concentrate on CH 4 production (g/d), yield (g/kg of DMI), and intensity (g/kg of ECM) were not additive, as cows fed GCS had similar responses regardless of the concentrate used, but cows fed CS had lower CH 4 production, yield, and intensity when fed BAR instead of DBP. The lower CH 4 production, yield, and intensity in cows fed CS-BAR compared with other diets could be partially explained by the nonlinear relationship between ruminal VFA and carbohydrates (NDF and starch) concentration reported in the literature; however, we observed a linear relationship between the acetate/propionate ratio and CH 4 yield, suggesting possible other effects. The effects of silage and concentrate on the ruminal VFA were additive in first parity cows, but not in second parity cows. The interaction between dietary carbohydrate type and parity might indicate an effect of feed intake or the energy balance of the cow. Feeding cows silage and concentrate both rich in starch can result in the lowest enteric CH 4 emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing concentrates with cassava root-top silage (CARTOS) on feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and growth performance of beef cattle. Methods: Twenty crossbred bulls with a body weight (BW) of 226±56 kg were randomly assigned to one of five treatments for 90 d in a randomized complete block design having four blocks based on BW. The concentrates were replaced by CARTOS at levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% dry matter (DM). Animals were fed dietary treatments at 1.8% BW, with rice straw offered ad libitum. Results: The DM and crude protein (CP) intake were decreased (p<0.01, p = 0.04) when the diet’s CARTOS level was increased. The digestibility of DM, OM, and CP were not different among treatments, while fiber digestibility was increased with the inclusion of CARTOS (p = 0.03). The addition of CARTOS to replace concentrates did not change ruminal pH or volatile fatty acid proportions except for acetic acid, which increased with the addition of CARTOS (p = 0.03). The ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) was decreased (p<0.01) with increasing levels of CARTOS. The blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen decreased (p = 0.01) with the addition of CARTOS at 100%, whereas total protein and hematological parameters did not change with increasing levels of CARTOS. The use of CARTOS to substitute concentrates at 75% and 100% decreased average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) (p<0.01); therefore, the addition of CARTOS up to 50% maintained ADG and G:F in beef cattle. Conclusion: CARTOS can replace concentrates up to 50% in beef cattle diets without adversely affecting feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, blood parameters, or growth performance of beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anadolu Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Endoglucanase (EG) and cellobiohydrolase (CBH) which produced by microorganisms, have been widely used in industrial applications. Methods: In order to construct recombinant bacteria that produce high activity EG and CBH, in this study, eg (endoglucanase) and cbh (cellobiohydrolase) were cloned from the rumen microbial genome of yak and subsequently expressed independently and co-expressed within Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 (L. lactis NZ9000). Results: The recombinant strains L. lactis NZ9000/pMG36e-usp45-cbh (L. lactis-cbh), L. lactis NZ9000/pMG36e-usp45-eg (L. lactis-eg), and L. lactis NZ9000/pMG36e-usp45-eg-usp45-cbh (L. lactis-eg-cbh) were successfully constructed and demonstrated the ability to secrete EG, CBH, and EG-CBH. The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose activity of the recombinant enzyme EG was the highest, and the regenerated amorphous cellulose (RAC) was the specific substrate of the recombinant enzyme CBH, and EG-CBH. The optimum reaction temperature of the recombinant enzyme CBH was 60℃, while the recombinant enzymes EG and EG-CBH were tolerant to higher temperatures (80℃). The optimum reaction pH of EG, CBH, and EG-CBH was 6.0. Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and Co2+ could promote the activity of CBH. Similarly, Fe2+, Ba2+, and higher concentrations of Ca2+, Cu2+, and Co2+ could promote the activity of EGCBH. The addition of engineered strains to whole-plant corn silage improved the nutritional quality of the feed, with the lowest pH, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents observed in silage from the L. lactiseg group (p < 0.05), and the lowest ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and highest lactic acid (LA) and crude protein (CP) contents in silage from the L. lactis-eg + L. lactis-cbh group (p < 0.05), while the silage quality in the L. lactis-cbh group was not satisfactory. Discussion: Consequently, the recombinant strains L. lactis-cbh, L. lactis-eg, and L. lactis-eg-cbh were successfully constructed, which could successfully expressed EG, CBH, and EG-CBH. L. lactis-eg promoted silage fermentation by degrading cellulose to produce sugar, enabling the secretory expression of EG, CBH, and EG-CBH for potential industrial applications in cellulose degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is an important oilseed crop, known for its rich nutritional content and high-quality protein. To address the shortage of feed protein resources and better utilize soybeans as a raw material, this study investigated the feasibility of using whole-plant soybean (WPS) as silage. As the ensiling period is a critical fermentation parameter, identifying the optimal fermentation duration was a key objective. The research involves fermenting WPS for silage production, conducted over five fermentation durations: 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. The fermentation quality, microbial community, and metabolome of WPS silage were analyzed across these different time points. WPS silage fermented for 30 days exhibited optimal fermentation characteristics, with the highest lactic acid (LA) content observed at 30 days (p < 0.05), while butyric acid (BA) was detected only at 60 and 90 days. At 30 days, Enterococcus genera reached its peak relative abundance and was identified as the dominant genus. Random forest analysis highlighted Pantoea genera as the most influential biomarker. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of essential amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine were significantly enhanced during the later stages of fermentation compared to the earlier stages. Under natural fermentation conditions, the optimal fermentation period for WPS silage is approximately 30 days. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of WPS and the subsequent optimization of fermentation quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opuntia spp. (forage cactus or spineless cactus) is a plant native to Mexico that is commonly used as alternative nutrient-rich fodder in semi-arid regions. Due to its resistance to drought, forage cactus has become an important least-cost ingredient for formulating balanced rations for ruminants during times of scarcity. In addition, ensiling, an anaerobic fermentation process, is also a strategy used to allow a supply of bulky food all year round, since it conserves forage and maintains its nutritional value. In this sense, using the Scopus database and the visualization tool VOSviewer, the present work proposes a bibliometric analysis of forage cactus silage to track and map the evolution and main issues in the research field, current trends, and future directions. The results revealed that the first publication was in 2013; and since 2020, the number of publications has been growing. Brazil was highlighted, by far, as the most relevant country on the topic, and the top institutions were from northeast Brazil, which has been working on co-authored articles. The current hot research topics are focusing on the mixed silage of forage cactus and other forages such as gliricidia, maniçoba, and sorghum biomass, as well as evaluating the fermentative performance and chemical characteristics for improving ruminal diets, especially for goats and sheep. This study provides important information for researchers to identify gaps and direct their studies to better use the whole potential of forage cactus as an alternative roughage source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid (LA) plays a crucial role in the silage process, which occurs through LA fermentation. Consequently, there is a strong correlation between lactic acid production and the efficiency of the silage. However, traditional methods face challenges like long fermentation times, low acid production, and unstable quality, limiting agricultural preservation. This paper aims to explore innovations in lactic acid production technologies and show how these technologies have driven the development of silage fermentation for agricultural conservation. First, the important role of LA in agricultural preservation and the limitations of traditional silage techniques are presented. Next, advancements in LA production methods are thoroughly examined, covering the selection of microbial strains and the substitution of fermentation substrates. Following this, new technologies for silage fermentation are explored, drawing from innovations in LA production. These include the selection of LA strains, optimization of fermentation conditions, and improvements in fermentation techniques. These innovations have proven effective in increasing LA production, improving feed quality, extending shelf life, and providing new solutions to enhance agricultural production and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biomass from willow and poplar harvested for feed during the growing season may be preserved by ensiling; however, little research has focused on ensiling of these biomasses. This study focuses on the use of ensiling additives to reduce the pH to around 4.0 to secure stable storage. Lab-scale ensiling experiments were conducted with different willow and poplar clones, shoot ages, and harvest times (June or September). Ensiling without additives often resulted in limited pH reduction. The pH could be reduced in the biomass of both species by adding formic acid, and the required dose to reduce the pH to 4.0 (buffering capacity, BC) ranged significantly between biomass types but was in the range of 2–5 kg formic acid (78%) per ton fresh weight. BC decreased with increasing dry matter (DM) content and decreasing crude protein content. The pH could also be reduced during ensiling by applying molasses and/or lactic acid bacteria, although not sufficiently in poplar. Willow biomass was ensiled effectively at the pilot scale with less than 7% DM loss by adding formic acid or by mixing with grass biomass. Comparable pH results were obtained at the lab scale and pilot scale. The study demonstrates how willow and poplar can be ensiled; however, more research is needed on quality changes during ensiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Suitable harvest maturity stage selection and microbial inoculation during anaerobic fermentation are effective strategies for improving the quality of triticale (×Triticosecale) silage for ruminant nutrition. (2) Methods: In the present study, the fermentation characteristics, microbial communities, and their correlations were evaluated for triticale silages, as affected by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) inoculation at the heading, flowering, filling, milk-ripening, and wax-ripening stages. (3) Results: The results indicate that the filling and milk-ripening stages without LP inoculation resulted in lower pH and higher lactic acid than other harvest maturity stages (p < 0.05). Inoculating with LP decreased the pH at each harvest maturity stage, except for the filling stage, and increased the lactic acid concentration at the heading and filling stages (p < 0.05). The bacterial dynamics indicated that the abundances of Lactiplantebacilli and Monascus of the triticale silages without the LP inoculation were different between the harvest maturity stages (p < 0.05), and the abundance of Enterobacters was different between the harvest maturity stages in the triticale silage (p < 0.05). Remarkably, negative correlations were found between the Lactiplantebacillus, Monascus, and pH and positive correlations were found between the Lactiplantebacillus, Monascus, and lactic acid content (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The filling and milk-ripening stages were the most suitable harvest maturity stages for the triticale silage. Inoculation with LP could enhance the fermentation quality, increase the abundances of beneficial microorganisms, and inhibit harmful microorganisms in triticale silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Weak aerobic stability is a notable challenge for whole-plant corn silage, particularly in hot and humid regions. Acetobacter is commonly regarded as an indicator of aerobic deterioration in silage, yet its precise role in fermentation and during aerobic exposure, as well as the factors that promote its growth, remain insufficiently understood. Methods: In this study, whole-plant corn silage was prepared using a bagged method with controlled dry matter (DM) content at 20%, 25%, and 30%, and initial concentrations of A. pasteurianus at 40%, 50%, and 60%. The silage was stored for 60 days under varying temperatures (20°C, 30°C, and 40°C). Following the anaerobic storage phase, the silage was exposed to air at room temperature (20-25°C) for 7 days, both with and without A. pasteurianus inoculation. Results: The results demonstrated that A. pasteurianus did not impact the nutritional value of the silage during anaerobic fermentation, maintaining a low pH (< 3.80). However, during aerobic exposure, the presence of A. pasteurianus significantly reduced the aerobic stability of the silage. The microbial community shifted from primarily Klebsiella species initially to Lactobacillus and Acetobacter species post-ensiling. During the aerobic exposure phase, A. pasteurianus and A. fabarum became the dominant species. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) analysis identified optimal conditions for the proliferation of A. pasteurianus during the aerobic phase, which occurred at 28°C, 25% DM, and 52% initial concentration at 3 ml/kg. Discussion: These findings confirm that A. pasteurianus plays a critical role in reducing the aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage. Additionally, the study identifies the optimal conditions that favor the proliferation of A. pasteurianus, offering valuable insights for the development of strategies to prevent and control this bacterium, thereby improving the aerobic stability of silage in hot and humid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several medium chain fatty acids and different chemical forms of these acids were evaluated in vitro as treatments of aerobically-exposed corn silage against spoilage and pathogenic microbes and for effects on rumen fermentation. Treatments were control (no additive), myristate (MY), laurate (LA), monolaurin (MLA), methyl ester laurate (MELA), a blend of mono-, di- and triglycerides of laurate (BLA), and monocaprylate (MC). After 24 h of aerobic incubation (37°C), yeast and mold growth were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatments, while the net growth of lactic acid bacteria was decreased, albeit slightly, compared to that by untreated controls (P < 0.01) by all treatments of the air-exposed corn silage. Compared with controls, wild-type enterococci were decreased (P < 0.01) in MLA, MELA, and BLA. Staphylococcus aureus was reduced (P < 0.01) with MLA, MELA, BLA, and MC. Total aerobes showed reductions (P < 0.01) with MLA, BLA, and MC. Listeria monocytogenes numbers were reduced (P < 0.01) with MELA. Anaerobic incubation (24 h; 39°C) of ruminal fluid (10mL) with 0.2 g air-exposed and MCFA-treated corn silage revealed higher hydrogen accumulations (P < 0.01) with MLA and MC over the control treatment. Methane was decreased (P < 0.01) solely by MLA. There was an increase (P < 0.01) of acetate with MELA and MC; of propionate with MELA or by BLA; and of butyrate with MLA, MELA, BLA, and MC. Total VFA, hexose fermented, and ammonia were increased (P < 0.01) with MELA, BLA, and MC. The acetate:propionate ratio was increased (P < 0.01) with MC. The results showed that treatment of air-exposed corn silage with esterified MCFA had no effect on yeasts and molds but prevented propagation or reduced populations of some unwanted and potentially desirable bacteria. Modest methane reduction was seen during in vitro incubation of rumen fluid suspensions with MLA-treated silage and ammonia accumulations were increased in esterified MCFA-treated silage. Little, if any, other detrimental effects on beneficial ruminal fermentation characteristics were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to select a forage maize variety with strong adaptability for the dry terraced fields in central Gansu Province. In 2022, 10 forage maize varieties were introduced for screening trials in Yuzhong County, which was representative of the dry terraced fields in central Gansu Province. The main variety Longdan No.4 was used as the control (CK), and a comparative experiment was conducted on the nine introduced forage maize varieties. The experiment determined and analyzed the agronomic traits, grass yield, and nutritional components of the forage maize. The results showed that all 10 forage maize varieties could be harvested on time after spring sowing in the dry terraced fields of central Gansu Province. In 2022, the annual equivalent fresh grass yield of Haoyu No. 2 and Longdan No. 4 (CK) was relatively high, at 40 305.36 kg/hm² and 36 638.33 kg/hm², respectively, with the equivalent dry grass yield being 13 432.48 kg/hm² and 11 652.11 kg/hm², respectively. Among the ten tested forage maize varieties, Xianyu 1483 had the lowest acid detergent fiber content, meeting the national first-class silage corn standard, but its yield was too low. The study indicates that Haoyu No. 2 has the strongest adaptability in the dry terraced fields of central Gansu Province, with the highest yield and better nutritional quality, meeting the national second-class silage corn standard. It is a forage maize variety with potential for promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to investigate the effects of different microbial additives on the sensory evaluation, nutritional components, and fermentation quality of Moringa oleifera stem and leaf silage. The experiment was conducted using Moringa oleifera stem and leaf silage as the substrate. The control group did not add any microbial agents, while the experimental groups added Lactobacillus plantarum (Group A), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Group B), Bacillus subtilis (Group C), Lactobacillus plantarum + Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Group D), Saccharomyces cerevisiae + Bacillus subtilis (Group E), Lactobacillus plantarum + Bacillus subtilis (Group F), and Lactobacillus plantarum + Saccharomyces cerevisiae + Bacillus subtilis (Group G). Each group had three replicates, and the silage was stored for 30 days. The sensory evaluation, nutritional components, and fermentation quality of the Moringa oleifera stem and leaf silage were measured. The results showed that the control group had the lowest sensory evaluation score of 12 points, while Groups D, E, F, and G had scores ranging from 18 to 19 points, classified as first-class excellent. Compared to the control group, the crude protein (CP) concentrations in Moringa oleifera stem and leaf silage of all microbial additive groups except Group A were significantly increased (P<0.05). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations in Groups D, E, F, and G were significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the lignin (ADL) content was reduced in all microbial additive groups, while the relative feeding value (RFV) was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the pH value of the silage in all microbial additive groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and below 4.2. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content in the silage of Groups D, E, F, and G was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the lactic acid (LA) content in the silage of all microbial additive groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). The phytic acid content in the silage of all microbial agent groups was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The study indicates that the addition of Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Bacillus subtilis during the ensiling process of Moringa oleifera stem and leaves can improve the sensory score, nutritional quality, and fermentation quality to varying degrees, with the combination of Lactobacillus plantarum + Saccharomyces cerevisiae + Bacillus subtilis showing the best results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to analyze the differences in the quality of silage feed from annual pasture grasses in the area around Qinghai Lake, to define the nutritional range of different silage feeds, and to select silage feeds suitable for promotion in the area around Qinghai Lake. In this study, four annual forage treatments in the area around Qinghai Lake were used to harvest silage at the heading stage of oats, each treatment was repeated with five replicates, and the silage was sealed in bags for 60 days, and the pH value, nutritional quality and sensory quality of the silage were measured after opening, and the nutritional value and relative feeding value of each treatment were comprehensively evaluated by the grey correlation method. The results showed that the sensory evaluation grades of Avena sativa' Qingyin No. 1' (Q1) and Huayouza 62 + Avena sativa' Qingyin No. 1' (H62 + Q1) treatments were high-quality. The pH value of the seven treatments was between 3.8~4.1. The water content and crude ash content (Ash) of Q1 were significantly lower than those of other treatments (P<0.05), the concentrations of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were significantly higher than those of other treatments (P<0.05), and the relative feeding value (RFV) of the seven treatments was between 108~141. The relative feeding value (RFV) and dry matter intake (DMI) of Vicia faba L. variety 'Qinghai 13' + Vicia sativa (Q13 + J) silage were significantly higher than those of other treatments (P<0.05).The results showed that the tested annual forage grass could be successfully silaged in the area around Qinghai Lake, and there was no inferior grade in the sensory evaluation of seven treatments, and Q13 + J silage had the highest relative feeding value, the best palatability, and was easier to be eaten by livestock. According to the comprehensive analysis of the grey correlation method, the Q1 silage is more suitable for application and promotion in the area around Qinghai Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of potato seedling silage on the growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, and serum biochemical indexes of mutton sheep. A total of 48 healthy mutton sheep with similar body weight were randomly divided into four groups with three replicates per group and four mutton sheep per replicate. The control group was fed with whole-plant corn silage, while experimental groups I, II, and III used 25%, 50%, 100% potato seedling silage to replace the whole-plant corn silage, respectively. The pre-feeding period was one week, and the formal experimental period lasted for 60 days. The results showed that the final body weight and average daily weight gain of group II were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05), and the feed-to-gain ratio was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The ruminal acetic acid in groups I and II was significantly higher than that in the control group and group III (P<0.05), and the concentration of total volatile fatty acids in group II was significantly higher than that in the control group and group III (P<0.05), the microbial protein content in group II was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the concentration of ammonium nitrogen was significantly lower than that in the control group and group III (P<0.05). The levels of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and urea nitrogen in group II were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the level of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in groups I and II was significantly higher than that in the control group and group III (P<0.05). The serum glucose level in all experimental groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The study indicates that the appropriate addition of potato seedling silage has a promoting effect on the growth performance and rumen fermentation of mutton sheep, and enhances lipid metabolism. It is advisable to replace 50% of the whole-plant corn silage with potato seedling silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of silage time, moisture and additives on the fermentation quality of passion fruit peel. The study was divided into two experiments. Experiment 1:48 polyethylene silage bags were filled with 100 g chopped passion fruit peel and mixed, then vacuum sealed fermentation was performed, and 6 bags were opened on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 42th and 56th day of fermentation to compare the changes of nutrient composition and fermentation quality. In experiment 2, different water content (75% group and 85% group) and additives (T1 as control group, T2 as 1/1 000 g lactic acid bacteria group and T3 as 3 mL molasses group) were set up, and 6 silage fermentation treatment groups were prepared by the same method in experiment 1, with 3 repeats for each treatment. After 60 days of fermentation, fermentation quality was analyzed. Then the samples were cultured by rumen simulation method in vitro, and the dry matter digestibility and rumen fluid fermentation parameters were analyzed. The results showed that with the extension of fermentation time, pH decreased gradually and reached a stable level at day 21, while lactic acid content increased gradually and reached the highest level at day 56. The pH of passionfruit peel in 85% group was significantly lower than that in 75% group. Under two water conditions, the lactic acid content of all treatment groups presented T2>T1>T3 (P<0.05). After culture in vitro, the dry matter digestibility of passion fruit peel under 75% moisture was significantly higher (P<0.05), but the effect was small, and the moisture and additives did not affect rumen fluid fermentation parameters. In conclusion, passion peel has high nutritional value, is easy to prepare for silage, and the fermentation quality tends to stabilize after about 42 days. And under 85% moisture content, proper addition of lactic acid bacteria showed better fermentation characteristics and dry matter digestibility of passion fruit silage peel, which could give greater play to its feed value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Along bacteria, yeasts are common in forages and forage fermentations as spoilage microbes or as additives, yet few studies exist with species-level data on these fungi's occurrence in feedstuff. Active dry yeast and other yeast-based products are also common feed additives in animal husbandry. Here, we aimed to characterize both fermented and non-fermented milking cow feedstuff samples from Hungary to assess their microbial diversity in the first such study from Central Europe. Results: We applied long-read bacterial metabarcoding to 10 fermented and 25 non-fermented types of samples to assess bacterial communities and their characteristics, surveyed culturable mold and yeast abundance, and identified culturable yeast species. Fermented forages showed the abundance of Aerococcaceae, Bacillaceae, Brucellaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Thermoactinomycetaceae, non-fermented ones had Cyanothecaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Erwiniaceae, Gomontiellaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Rhodobiaceae, Rickettsiaceae, and Staphylococcaceae. Abundances of bacterial families showed mostly weak correlation with yeast CFU numbers, only Microcoleaceae (positive) and Enterococcaceae and Alcaligenaceae (negative correlation) showed moderate correlation. We identified 14 yeast species, most commonly Diutina rugosa, Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, and Wickerhahomyces anomalus. We recorded S. cerevisiae isolates only from animal feed mixes with added active dry yeast, while the species was completely absent from fermented forages. The S. cerevisiae isolates showed high genetic uniformity. Conclusion: Our results show that both fermented and non-fermented forages harbor diverse bacterial microbiota, with higher alpha diversity in the latter. The bacterial microbiome had an overall weak correlation with yeast abundance, but yeasts were present in the majority of the samples, including four new records for forages as a habitat for yeasts. Yeasts in forages mostly represented common species including opportunistic pathogens, along with a single strain of Saccharomyces used as a feed mix additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paper mulberry is a promising alternative fodder source due to its high protein and the abundance of active components. However, paper mulberry often faces susceptibility to contamination during silage fermentation, and there is a need to improve the quality of silage fermentation of paper mulberry through exotic additives. Sea buckthorn pomace (BP) is a feed additive containing antimicrobial and antioxidant substances that help to enhance silage fermentation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BP and Lactiplantibacillus as additives on silage fermentation and bacterial community of paper mulberry. Results: The results showed that BP and Lactiplantibacillus significantly reduced the pH and ammonium nitrogen content of paper mulberry silage (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the content of lactic acid and acetic acid (P < 0.05), resulting in more residual water-soluble carbohydrate and crude protein contents and less fiber content relative to the control. The key microorganisms in paper mulberry silage fermentation are Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and Weissella cibaria. Among these, Lactiplantibacillus favored a rapid increase in Lactiplantibacillus pentosus abundance during the pre-silage fermentation period, whereas BP favored the promotion of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus growth, resulting in higher contents of lactic and acetic acid than those of the control. Conclusions: Simultaneously adding Lactiplantibacillus and BP can effectively improve the quality of paper mulberry silage and increase the abundance of beneficial microorganisms in paper mulberry silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of different temperatures (35℃ High temperature and average indoor ambient temperature of 25℃) and lactic acid bacterial additives (Lactiplantibacillus plantarym, Lentilactobacillus buchneri, or a combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarym and Lentilactobacillus buchneri) on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, and microbial community of alfalfa silage feed. After a 60-day ensiling period, a significant interaction between temperature and additives was observed, affecting the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the silage feed (p < 0.05). Temperature had a highly significant impact on the pH value of the silage feed (p < 0.0001). However, the effect of temperature on lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid was not significant (p > 0.05), while the inoculation of additives had a significant effect on lactic acid, acetic acid, and butyric acid (p > 0.05). As for the dynamic changes of microbial community after silage, the addition of three kinds of bacteria increased the abundance of lactobacillus. Among all treatment groups, the treatment group using complex bacteria had the best fermentation effect, indicating that the effect of complex lactic acid bacteria was better than that of single bacteria in high temperature fermentation. In summary, this study explained the effects of different temperatures and lactic acid bacterial additives on alfalfa fermentation quality and microbial community, and improved our understanding of the mechanism of alfalfa related silage at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the physical characteristics and chemical composition of Napier grass silage inoculated with yogurt. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD), divided into 4 groups with 10 replicates. The treatments were 1) 5% molasses added (control group), 2) 2% yogurt added, 3) 3% yogurt added and 4) 4% yogurt added. The fermentation period was 21 days. The results showed that the physical characteristics of the Napier grass silage with 3% yogurt added had the highest total score (22.81 points). This was classified as a very good silage. The other groups had good total scores for physical characteristics, which were at a secondary level. The chemical compositions (moisture, dry matter, crude protein, organic matter, ash, NDF and ADF) of Napier grass silage were not statistically different among all experimental groups (P>0.05). However, it was found that the crude fiber content of all yogurt-added groups was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Therefore, using yogurt as a silage additive at 3% resulted in Napier grass silage having better physical characteristics than using molasses as a silage additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of China's livestock industry, the demand for protein feed has surged, underscoring the importance of developing and utilizing new types of feed. As a kind of high quality woody feed resource, Broussonetia papyrifera has the advantages of high yield, wide distribution, strong environmental adaptability, comprehensive nutrition and high protein content, and has been popularized and applied in many provinces and regions in across China. In order to make full use of the resources of Broussonetia papyrifera, the mixed silage of this plant can improve the palatability and nutrient utilization of the Broussonetia papyrifera feed, improve the growth performance of livestock and poultry, reduce the death rate, improve the intestinal microenvironment, and improve the meat quality. This paper summarizes the recent research progress on the evaluation of the nutritional value of Broussonetia papyrifera and its various processing methods for livestock and poultry feed, and comprehensively discusses the application of the Broussonetia papyrifera in animal breeding, in order to provide reference for the rational development and utilization of the Broussonetia papyrifera resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the nutritional quality of Cenchrus fungigraminus as a high-quality forage in Hetao area and develop its potential feeding value. In the experiment, the contents of nutrients in the same whole plant, leaves, stems with a height 1.0 m and whole plants with plant with a height of 1.3 to 2.5 m, and stubble height of 0 to 20 cm were determined. The silage test was carried out on the whole plant with 1.6 m height to determine the content of conventional nutrients, pH value, NH3-N concentration and soluble sugar (WSC) content after silage. The results showed that the feeding value of each part was in the order of leaves > whole plant > stem. The nutrient content in Cenchrus fungigraminus with cutting height of 1.3 to 1.6 m was higher. When the stubble height was 10 to 15 cm, the nutritional quality of the next crop was better. During silage, the contents of crude protein (CP) and crude ash (CA) increased gradually, while the contents of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), soluble sugar (WSC) and pH value decreased gradually with the extension of silage time. The concentration of NH3-N was the highest when silage lasted for 30 days. The research revealed that the feeding value of the leaves was better than the stems, and the stubble height and cutting height had significant effects on the nutritional quality and yield of the Cenchrus fungigraminus. The nutritional level of the Cenchrus fungigraminus can be improved through silage fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to explore the impact of different ensiling times and methods on the nutritional components, silage quality, and mycotoxin content of whole-plant quinoa mixed with corn stover. The raw materials were 'Jinli 1' and corn stover harvested 20 cm above the ground at the milk stage, which were cut into 2~3 cm lengths. Two treatment groups was designed, including the control group (CK group), fed with whole-plant quinoa, and the test group (CS group) fed with a mixture of whole-plant quinoa to corn stover (fresh weight:dry weight ratio of 6:4). There were 12 replicates per group, and the silage for 60 days. Samples were taken at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of ensiling to analyze fermentation parameters and nutritional components, and mycotoxin content was analyzed at 60 days. The results showed that in terms of ensiling time, compared with the 15th day of ensiling, the content of dry matter (DM), crude fat (EE), crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and pH value of the CK group and CS group on the 60th day of ensiling were all significantly reduced (P<0.05), while the content of crude protein (CP), crude ash (Ash), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), butyric acid (BA), and the ratio of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen (NH3-N/TN) all significantly increased (P<0.05), the content of acid detergent lignin (ADL) in the CK group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). In terms of treatment methods, compared with the CK group, the content of DM, CF, NDF, ADL, LA, AA, and NH3-N/TN in the CS group were all significantly increased (P<0.05), while the content of CP, EE, Ash, P, PA, and pH value were all significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the CK group, the content of BA in the CS group on the 30th and 45th days of ensiling was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the content of BA on the 60th day of ensiling was significantly reduced (P<0.05). On the 60th day of ensiling, compared with the CK group, the content of aflatoxin (AFB1) in the CS group was reduced, while the content of zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) was increased, and both groups were below the feed hygiene standards. The study indicates that whole-plant quinoa alone during the milky stage and mixed with corn straw (6:4) both meet the standards for high-quality silage, but whole-plant quinoa alone during the milky stage is better than mixed with corn straw (6:4), and both can obtain high-quality silage between 45 to 60 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was carried out to determine silage quality, nutrient content, relative feed value (RFV), fermentation parameters and Fleig scores of sweet maize [Zea mays (L.) saccharata Sturt.] without the cob ensiled with urea or molasses. Methods: Plant parts remaining from the sweet maize whose cobs were harvested were ensiled with the addition of 1% urea and 5-10% molasses. In the liquid samples collected from the silages, pH values, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured and the silage samples were subjected to crude nutrient analyses, RFV and Fleig score determination. Result: Significant differences were found among the groups in terms of their dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude ash (CA), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) values. The difference between silage groups was significant in terms of NH3 and VFA values. In the analyses of Fleig scores, physical parameters and RFV results, the groups were found significantly different except for Fleig scores. In parallel with the increase in the concentration of urea used in the silage groups, there were reductions in Fleig scores, physical parameters and RFV values, while their CP levels increased. The molasses that was added to the silages led to a reduction in their silage pH, NH3-N and butyric acid (BA) values and an increase in their lactic acid (LA) values. It was concluded that the additives used in this study contributed positively to the quality of the silages, all silages with additives were quality silages and they could be used as an alternative quality roughage resource in feeding ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work aimed to evaluate the effect of ensiling density on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Pennisetum giganteum silages. The silage was ensiled in laboratory silos (1 L), and three treatments were designed according to different ensiling densities: (1) low density (LD, 750 kg/m3); (2) medium density (MD, 900 kg/m3); and (3) high density (HD, 1050 kg/m3). During ensiling, the silage was sampled for a fermentation quality analysis. All silages were well preserved, as indicated by the high lactic acid (LA) content and low pH (<4.2). The MD treatment had the highest acetic acid content (24.9 g/kg dry matter) and the HD treatment had the lowest ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content (68.2 g/kg total nitrogen, TN) among all silages after 45 days of ensiling. The aerobic stability of HD, MD, and LD persisted for 51 h, 54 h, and 48 h, respectively. The NH3-N contents of HD and MD were below 80 g/kg TN during aerobic exposure. These results show that the increase in ensiling density improved the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Pennisetum giganteum silages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different amounts of crushed corn (CC) and wheat bran (WB) on the silage quality of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). In the research, pH, dry matter (DM), raw ash (RA), fleig score, ammonia, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility (DMD), relative feed value (RFV), lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA) contents of quinoa silage were determined. Quinoa plants were taken in the area sown at the research area of Iğdır University Agricultural Application and Research Center Directorate in 2022. The use of cracked corn as an additive increased the fleig score, DM, CP, DMD, DMI, RFV, LA and BA contents. On the other hand, cracked corn additive decreased pH, ammonia, NDF, ADF, RA, AA and PA contens of quinoa silage. The use of wheat bran as an additive increased the fleig score, DM, CP, DMD, NDF, LA and BA contents of quinoa silage. On the other hand, wheat bran additive decreased the pH, ammonia, ADF, DMI, RFV, RA, AA and PA contents of quinoa silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Guizotia abyssinica is a plant cultivated mainly in Ethiopian and Indian climate conditions. Its seeds can be used to produce oil or as feed for ornamental birds. In recent years, interest has increased in its use as a catch crop between crops in European conditions. However, owing to its rapid growth rate, attention has also been paid to the possibility of ensiling this plant and using it to prepare feed for cattle after harvesting 58, 68, and 90 days after seed sowing. The results of this research indicate that collecting silage material on the 90th day after sowing allows for the preparation of very good-quality silage. Guizotia abyssinica is currently being used for soil improvement; however, owing to its rapid growth and high productivity, it may have value as feed for ruminants, although this has not been well studied. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the silage quality of Guizotia abyssinica grown during the short season (July–October) as a catch crop in northern Europe when harvested 58, 68, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) over two production years. Ensiled material was analyzed to compare silage quality for the three different DAS. Two factors were analyzed factorially in the experiment: the silage preparation year (2018 or 2019) and the form of the ensiled material (fresh or wilted). We used 36 replications, 18 for each variant of the experimental factor. Harvesting at 58 DAS resulted in unsatisfactory forage fermentability, even after wilting. At 68 DAS, silage quality was satisfactory, but the dry matter content before ensiling was below 20% for both fresh and wilted forage, indicating limitations for silage use without additional wilting for that DAS harvest time. Dry matter content and water-soluble carbohydrates consistently increased as harvest was delayed. Thus, the highest silage quality was obtained from forage harvested 90 DAS regardless of differences in dry matter content. Therefore, it is possible to prepare silage at lower temperatures when the wilting process is limited by environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane vinasse (V) and elephant grass silage (S) to produce methane. Box-Behnken experimental design was applied to verify the statistical effects of the elephant grass ensiling time (40, 80 and 120 days), alkaline pretreatment of elephant grass silage (0.5, 2.25 and 4.00% w/v NaOH) and S:V mixture ratio (25:75, 50:50 and 75:25) on the methane yield. The results showed that the ensiling process resulted in the low degradation of lignocellulosic substances, emphasizing the need for pretreatment using more efficient techniques, such as thermo-alkaline, to improve the breakdown of elephant grass fibres. COD removals varied between 35 and 85%, and carbohydrate consumptions ranged from 63 to 72%, with the higher efficiencies for both parameters occurring in the reactors with lower percentages of silage. Cumulative methane yield ranged from 190.77 mLCH4/gVS (in the reactor with S:V of 75:25, 0.50% w/v NaOH and 80 ensiling days) to 1729.80 mLCH4/gVS (in the reactor with S:V of 25:75, 2.25% w/v NaOH and 120 ensiling days). According to ANOVA, S:V ratio was the only variable with a significant effect (p < 0.05) on cumulative methane yield. Therefore, the findings indicate that the relative composition of substrates within the mixture exerted the most significant influence on the process, underscoring the critical role of vinasse as a co-substrate in enhancing methane production despite silage pretreatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass which grows during the autumn is perceived by some farmers to have a negative impact on the nutritive value of silage produced the following spring. The impact of removing herbage in the autumn using sheep, on silage yield and quality the following spring, and on performance of cows offered these silages, was investigated in two experiments. Following harvest of third‐cut silage in September, a grass sward was split into blocks which were either grazed by sheep during November and December or left ungrazed. Herbage was harvested and ensiled the following May and offered to late‐lactation Holstein cows in a two‐period balanced change‐over design feeding experiment comprising two 28‐d periods. In Experiment 1, silage quality was unaffected by autumn grazing treatment but in Experiment 2, silage from swards grazed in autumn had a higher metabolizable energy concentration (0.5 MJ kg−1 dry matter [DM]; p =.016). In Experiment 1, intakes were unaffected, while cows offered silage from the grazed sward (GS) had a greater milk (0.8 kg d−1; p <.001) and protein yield (0.03 kg d−1; p =.014) than cows offered silage from the ungrazed sward, but fat plus protein yield was unaffected. In Experiment 2, cows offered GS had greater DM intake (1.5 kg d−1; p <.001) and fat yield (0.15 kg d−1; p =.047), but fat plus protein yield was not significantly different between treatments. In conclusion, winter grazing using sheep has potential to improve silage quality, but with marginal benefits on individual cow performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biorefining is seen as a potential method to produce protein‐rich feed for monogastric farm animals from grassland, which does not compete with human nutrition. Therefore, a new biorefinery facility was constructed and tested in this experiment by using silages from grass clover mixture and red clover. After biorefining, press juice was stored for further use while press cake was re‐ensiled. Samples from silage, press juice, fresh press cake and re‐ensiled press cake were analysed for nutrient composition, fermentation parameters, amino acids (AA) and biogenic amines (BA) concentrations. Furthermore, digestibility of silage and re‐ensiled press cake was tested in wethers. We found that press juice contained about 205 g crude protein (CP), more than 180 g crude ash and more than 130 g volatile organic compounds (VOC, all values per kg dry matter [DM]). Furthermore, press juice had an unfavourable AA ratio for use as a monogastric feed (methionine and cysteine were reduced). Forage type hardly affected nutritive value of press juice. Re‐ensiling of press cake was successful as a sufficient decrease of pH and VOC concentration was observed. Press cake had 26–36 g/kg DM lower CP content and 0.77–1.12 MJ/kg DM lower metabolisable energy content than silage with greater differences in red clover than in grass clover mixture. Press juice can be used as feed in monogastric animals, but its use is limited due to its low CP content and unfavourable AA profile. Press cake could be an appropriate feed for ruminants, especially dry cows or heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum as silage additives and their combinations on the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott silage and assess fermentation characteristics, digestibility, and in vitro gas production. The experiment used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments are: T0= dwarf elephant grass silage + 3% molasses, T1= T0 + S. cerevisiae, T2= T0 + L. plantarum, and T3= T0 + S. cerevisiae + L. plantarum. Variables measured were organoleptic, physical, microbial, nutrient composition, in vitro fermentation characteristics and nutrient digestibility, as well as total gas and methane productions. The result showed that all silages had good physical quality, low pH (<3.8) and NH3 content, and high fleigh point. Inoculants decreased the percentage of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract (p<0.05), increased crude fiber, and decreased the composition of nitrogen-free extract and non-fiber carbohydrate (p<0.05) but it was able to increase Ca and P. Total gas production of T0 was the highest among treatments, while the T3 had the lowest total gas and methane productions (p<0.05). The supplementation of S. cerevisiae and L. plantarum as a silage improved organoleptic, physical, and microbiological qualities. Although the nutrient composition did not increase significantly, the combination of 2 (two) inoculants was able to improve fermentation activity in the rumen, increase total volatile fatty acid (VFA), dry matter and organic matter digestibility, reduce total gas production and the ratio of methane gas production to VFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of rye silage treated with sodium formate (Na-Fa) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on the ruminal fermentation characteristics, methane yield and energy balance in Hanwoo steers. Forage rye was harvested in May 2019 and ensiled without additives (control) or with either a LAB inoculant or Na-Fa. The LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum) were inoculated at 1.5 × 1010 CFU/g fresh matter, and the inoculant was sprayed onto the forage rye during wrapping at a rate of 4 L/ton of fresh rye forage. Sixteen percent of the Na-Fa solution was sprayed at a rate of approximately 6.6 L/ton. Hanwoo steers (body weight 275 ± 8.4 kg (n = 3, group 1); average body weight 360 ± 32.1 kg (n = 3, group 2)) were allocated into two pens equipped with individual feeding gates and used in duplicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The experimental diet was fed twice daily (09:00 and 18:00) during the experimental period. Each period comprised 10 days for adaptation to the pen and 9 days for measurements in a direct respiratory chamber. The body weights of the steers were measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Feces and urine were collected for 5 days after 1 day of adaptation to the chamber, methane production was measured for 2 days, and ruminal fluid was collected on the final day. In the LAB group, the ratio of acetic acid in the rumen fluid was significantly lower (p = 0.044) and the ratio of propionic acid in the rumen fluid was significantly higher (p = 0.017). Methane production per DDMI of the Na-FA treatment group was lower than that of the other groups (p = 0.052), and methane production per DNDFI of the LAB treatment group was higher than that of the other groups (p = 0.056). The use of an acid-based additive in silage production has a positive effect on net energy and has the potential to reduce enteric methane emissions in ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the power consumed in the engine and the power take-off (P.T.O.) shaft of a maize silage harvester is critical to understanding the efficiency and performance of the harvester. The power consumed in the engine directly affects the power available for use on the P.T.O. shaft, which is the power source for the suspended silage harvesters. The research aimed to predict the power consumption of the P.T.O. shaft based on the power consumption of the tractor engine at different operating parameters, which are two applications of the P.T.O. shaft (540 and 540E rpm) and two forward speeds (1.8 and 2.5 km/h) using machine learning algorithms. The best results in terms of engine power consumption were achieved in the 540E P.T.O. application, and the forward speed was 1.8 km/h. The results also gave a correlation between the power consumed by the engine and the P.T.O shaft of 87%. Regarding prediction algorithms, the Tree algorithm gave the highest prediction accuracy of 98.8%, while the KNN, SVM, and ANN algorithms gave an accuracy of 98.1, 60, and 60%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This work aimed to study the effect of adding alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Atriplex halimus L. on biochemical properties, microbial flora, ferment silage and solar-dried cactus fruit scraps. Alfalfa and Atriplex were added to cactus silage to improve nutrient quality. Three mixtures were prepared: M1 based on cactus, M2 based on cactus and alfalfa, and M3 based on cactus and Atriplex. Bran and wheat straw were added to the mixtures to improve the moisture content. After adding alfalfa and Atriplex, the protein content of the pre-ensiling material increased (p < 0.05), reaching 10.63% DM for M1, 16.35% DM for M2, and 17.22% DM for M3. During ensilage, a significant amount of sugar and protein was degraded. All silage treatments achieved stable pH values (M1: 4.35, M2: 4.55, and M3: 4.54). The M2 and M3 treatments had the highest amount of protein. After drying, the protein content of the dried treatments was higher than that of the ensiled treatments (8.05% DM for M1, 14.96% DM for M2, and 15.36% DM for M3). In both storage methods, the microbial population declined. However, silage reduces coliforms, yeasts and moulds more efficiently than solar drying. The drying operation preserves remarkedly the nutritional quality of the mixtures while ensiling reduces the number of undesirable microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: There is little information about the effect of total mixed rations silage (TMRS) based on alfalfa on nutrient changes, gas production and laboratory digestibility in a certain period of time. On the other hand, due to the wrong way of storing alfalfa in Iran, the main part of its protein is lost, which is in the leaves of plant. In addition, when it is not possible to dry hay, it is necessary to provide a suitable method for its storage. Also, the use of TMRS leads to better feed management and preservation of its nutritional value. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the nutritional value and the trend of nutrient changes of TMRS based on alfalfa. Materials and methods: The feed ingredients of each ration were mixed together based on the determined percentages for 100 kg. Then they were ensiled in experimental silos with a weight capacity of 2.5 kg. Experimental rations include: 1) TMRS with 35% dry matter ((DM) and 14.5% crude protein (CP), 2) TMRS with 35% DM and 13% CP, 3) TMRS with 40% DM and 14.5% CP, and 4) TMRS with 40% DM and 13% CP. Diets were stored separately, completely mixed in 5 experimental silos. After of 30, 45 and 60 days, the silos were opened and the visual-sensory evaluation, properties and pH of the experimental treatments were performed. DM, organic matter (OM), CP, fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ammonia nitrogen and lactic acid were measured. The volume of gas production in the experimental diets was measured, and then using the information obtained from the gas test, the kinetics of fermentation and gas volume, gas production parameters, gas production efficiency, short chain fatty acids, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) were determined. Results: The results of this research showed that on 0, 30, 45 and 60 days after ensiling, the DM of the rations was affected by the level of DM and the highest amount of DM was observed in the ration containing 40% DM (P<0.05). On the 0, 30, 45 and 60 days after ensiling, OM of the rations was affected by interaction effects, and the highest amount of OM related to the ration contained 40% DM and 13% CP, also affected by the main effects and the highest value of OM was in the diet containing 13% CP and the diet containing 40% DM (P<0.05). On the 60 day after ensiling, the NDF of the rations was affected by interaction effects, and the highest amount of NDF was related to the ration containing 40% DM and 14.5% CP (P<0.05). On the 0 day after ensiling, the ADF of the rations was affected by intraction effects, and the highest amount of ADF was related to the ration containing 40% DM and 13% CP (P<0.05). On the 0 and 60 days after ensiling, the highest gas production potential was related to the diet containing 40% DM and 14.5% CP (P<0.05). The flieg point of TMRS on the 45 and 60 days after ensiling was affected by the main effects and the interaction effects, and the highest value was related to the ration containing 40% DM and 14.5% CP (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the TMRS with 40% DM and 14.5% CP had higher DM, OM, flieg point and sensory evaluation than other rations. In terms of quality, this ration showed a better condition than other rations. Totally, it can be used as a suitable method for preserving alfalfa hay with minimal loss of nutrients in livestock rations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn silage is the main feed in the diet of dairy cows and other ruminant livestock. Silage corn feed is very susceptible to spoilage and corruption due to the influence of aerobic secondary fermentation during the silage process. At present, silage quality testing of corn feed mainly relies on the combination of sensory evaluation and laboratory measurement. The sensory review method is difficult to achieve precision and objectivity, while the laboratory determination method has problems such as cumbersome testing procedures, time-consuming, high cost, and damage to samples. In this study, the external sensory quality grading model for different qualities of silage corn feed was established using hyperspectral data. To explore the feasibility of using hyperspectral data for external sensory quality grading of corn silage, a hyperspectral system was used to collect spectral data of 200 corn silage samples in the 380–1004 nm band, and the samples were classified into four grades: excellent, fair, medium, and spoiled according to the German Agricultural Association (DLG) standard for sensory evaluation of silage samples. Three algorithms were used to preprocess the fodder hyperspectral data, including multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate (SNV), and S–G convolutional smoothing. To reduce the redundancy of the spectral data, variable combination population analysis (VCPA) and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) were used for feature wavelength selection, and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) algorithm was used for data dimensionality reduction, constructing random forest classification (RFC), convolutional neural networks (CNN) and support vector machines (SVM) models. The best classification model was derived based on the comparison of the model results. The results show that SNV-LDA-SVM is the optimal algorithm combination, where the accuracy of the calibration set is 99.375% and the accuracy of the prediction set is 100%. In summary, combined with hyperspectral technology, the constructed model can realize the accurate discrimination of the external sensory quality of silage corn feed, which provides a reliable and effective new non-destructive testing method for silage corn feed quality detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of milk production in Kazakhstan and identifies the reason for its low level, which is due to deficient feed, especially in small farms and in the private sector. The difficulty of saving the limited silage volume is due to the lack of preparation technology for preventing spoilage. The objective of this work is to complete the necessary equipment of a mobile tractor-trailer to reduce the specific energy consumption when preparing silage in flexible containers using a vacuum seal to increase the productivity of dairy cattle farming in smallholder and the private sector of the Republic. The basic rational parameters for sealing the silage by vacuum in the field on a mobile tractor-trailer for ease of transport and storage are obtained: silage weight in a flexible container – 769.6 kg, geometric dimensions of the sealed container by height (0.90 m), width (0.85 m) and length (0.85 m). The efficiency of the specific energy consumption of the proposed method for silage preparation is established at 35% compared with the traditional method. The recommended technology of silage preparation in flexible containers will be possible when conventional tractor-trailers are retrofitted with standard portable equipment (internal combustion engine-based (ICE) electric generator, vacuum pump, film welder).

Abstract Background Along bacteria, yeasts are common in forages and forage fermentations as spoilage microbes or as additives, yet few studies exist with species-level data on these fungi’s occurrence in feedstuff. Active dry yeast and other yeast-based products are also common feed additives in animal husbandry. Here, we aimed to characterize both fermented and non-fermented milking cow feedstuff samples from Hungary to assess their microbial diversity in the first such study from Central Europe. Results We applied long-read bacterial metabarcoding to 10 fermented and 25 non-fermented types of samples to assess bacterial communities and their characteristics, surveyed culturable mold and yeast abundance, and identified culturable yeast species. Fermented forages showed the abundance of Aerococcaceae, Bacillaceae, Brucellaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Thermoactinomycetaceae, non-fermented ones had Cyanothecaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Erwiniaceae, Gomontiellaceae, Oxalobacteraceae, Rhodobiaceae, Rickettsiaceae, and Staphylococcaceae. Abundances of bacterial families showed mostly weak correlation with yeast CFU numbers, only Microcoleaceae (positive) and Enterococcaceae and Alcaligenaceae (negative correlation) showed moderate correlation. We identified 14 yeast species, most commonly Diutina rugosa, Pichia fermentans, P. kudriavzevii, and Wickerhahomyces anomalus. We recorded S. cerevisiae isolates only from animal feed mixes with added active dry yeast, while the species was completely absent from fermented forages. The S. cerevisiae isolates showed high genetic uniformity. Conclusion Our results show that both fermented and non-fermented forages harbor diverse bacterial microbiota, with higher alpha diversity in the latter. The bacterial microbiome had an overall weak correlation with yeast abundance, but yeasts were present in the majority of the samples, including four new records for forages as a habitat for yeasts. Yeasts in forages mostly represented common species including opportunistic pathogens, along with a single strain of Saccharomyces used as a feed mix additive.