In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of cutting height (25 or 40 cm above ground) and bacterial inoculation (a combined inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) on the chemical and microbial compositions, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage and nitrogen balance, intake, and apparent nutrient digestibility by sheep. To evaluate silage characteristics and sheep metabolism, we performed analyses based on a completely randomized block design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement (two cutting [...] ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of cutting height (25 or 40 cm above ground) and bacterial inoculation (a combined inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacterium acidipropionici) on the chemical and microbial compositions, fermentative profile, and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage and nitrogen balance, intake, and apparent nutrient digestibility by sheep. To evaluate silage characteristics and sheep metabolism, we performed analyses based on a completely randomized block design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement (two cutting

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing an essential oil blend (0.16 g/kg DM of carvacrol, eugenol, thymol, and capsaicin) and monensin (17.6 mg/kg DM TMR) on lactation performance, feeding behavior, and rumen fermentation of high-producing dairy cows. Sixty-four multiparous Holstein cows (89 ± 21 DIM and 729 ± 68 kg of BW at covariate period initiation), including 16 cannulated cows, and 32 gate feeders were enrolled in a study with a completely randomized design and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Cows and gate feeders were randomly assigned to treatments (4 cannulated cows and 12 cows not cannulated for a total of 16 cows, and 8 gate feeders per treatment). Cows were allowed 1 wk to acclimate to gate feeders followed by a 2 wk covariate period. During the acclimation and covariate periods, all cows were fed a diet containing EOB and MON. Following the covariate period, cows were enrolled in a 10 wk treatment period during which cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) a combination of the essential oil blend and monensin (EOB-MON), 2) the essential oil blend alone (EOB), 3) monensin alone (MON), or 4) neither the essential oil blend nor monensin (CON). Data were analyzed using a mixed model with week as a repeated measure and fixed effects of essential oil blend, monensin, week, and all their interactions. Cow (treatment) was included as a random effect. The average covariate period value of each variable was used as a covariate. A 3-way interaction was observed for DMI, where DMI was lowest for CON and MON for wk 1, but then was lowest for EOB during wk 4, 9, and 10. Supplementing the essential oil blend also decreased body weight during wk 4 and 10 and tended to decrease body weight change but increased the maximum pH in the rumen. Monensin tended to improve milk production and lactose yield, but decreased milk fat concentration without affecting milk fat yield. Thus, feeding monensin appears to improve milk yield, while maintaining or increasing component yields. However, feeding dairy cows a combination of carvacrol, eugenol, thymol, and capsaicin decreased DMI for 3 out of 10 wks at the expense of body weight gain.

The present study explored the effects of sodium benzoate (SB), relocation, and storage time on the quality of sugarcane silage. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with a 2 × 4 × 2 factorial arrangement and four replicates. The treatments were as follows: (i) with (SB+) or without (SB−) SB (2 g∙kg⁻¹ on a fresh matter basis); (ii) with (R) or without (R0) relocation for 12, 48, and 72 h (R12, R48, and R72, respectively); and (iii) storage for 10 or 60 days after relocation. SB− silage showed a lower (p < 0.05) dry matter loss (DML = 155 g·kg⁻¹) without relocation (R0). SB+ silage showed the highest (p < 0.05) DML (257 g·kg⁻¹) with R72. SB use reduced (p < 0.05) the yeast count in silage that was stored for 10 days (SB+: 4.63 CFU·g⁻¹; SB−: 5.58 CFU·g⁻¹). The yeast count was higher (p < 0.05) in silage that was stored for 10 days after relocation, regardless of the relocation time. SB use increased the aerobic stability of silage after 10 days of storage. Thus, SB application is effective for the inhibition of yeast in relocated sugarcane silage. We recommend the use of SB when silage is relocated for 12 h and stored for 60 days after relocation.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of storage condition (SC) and storage time (ST) on the fermentative parameters and nutritional value of relocated whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) in plastic bags. A completely randomized design was used in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with two SC (in the field without cover and in a barn as covered space) and five ST (10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d), with four replications. Corn was harvested (321 ± 10.3 g kg−1 [...] ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the effects of storage condition (SC) and storage time (ST) on the fermentative parameters and nutritional value of relocated whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) in plastic bags. A completely randomized design was used in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with two SC (in the field without cover and in a barn as covered space) and five ST (10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d), with four replications. Corn was harvested (321 ± 10.3 g kg−1

Waste frying oil may serve as a viable alternative to fresh vegetable oils, potentially reducing environmental impacts and animal feed costs. This study aimed to assess the effects of incorporating waste frying oil into sheep diets and to determine the optimal dietary oil concentration. We evaluated intake and apparent digestibility using 25 uncastrated Santa Inês male sheep (average, 90 d of age; 20 ± 3.56 kg) in a randomized block design over a 21-d experimental period. The sheep were housed in individual metabolic cages and fed diets with a 50:50 roughage-to-concentrate ratio twice daily. Diets included waste frying oil at concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% of the total dry matter. Animals receiving higher concentrations of waste frying oil exhibited lower nutrient intake (p < 0.05) compared to those with up to 4% inclusion. Nutrient digestibility decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with increasing oil content, except for ether extract digestibility (p = 0.02), which improved. Although the addition of oil increased the concentration of total digestible nutrients, the intake of total digestible nutrients was not maintained or enhanced at 6% and 8% oil (p = 0.82). Including up to 4% waste frying oil in sheep diets is feasible without compromising nutrient intake and digestibility.

Summary: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of a chemical additive and packing density on the fermentation profile and nutrient composition of a cocktail mix silage. Forage subsamples were collected, and each experimental unit was individually treated without (CON; 30 mL of distilled water) or with a sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and fungal amylase additive solution (ADD; containing a minimum of 8% sulfur and targeting for 0.11% of fresh forage according to manufacturer recommendation), and hand-mixed with harvested forage immediately before ensiling. Forage was ensiled in laboratory silos (3.79-L plastic buckets) with maximum packing density (D100, 215 kg of DM/m³), 75% of the maximum density (D75, 161 kg of DM/m³), or 50% of the maximum density (D50, 108 kg of DM/m³). Even though fermentation was adequate for all silage samples, poorly packed cocktail forage mix silages had greater yeast and mold counts and a less pronounced fermentation.