Chicken broilers digestibility and performance fed with different ME levels, with and without adjustments of digestible lysine, calcium, and available phosphorus, were evaluated. For digestibility, 210 male Cobb 500 chicken broilers were used and distributed into a 3x2+1 factorial arrangement, with three ME levels (3050; 3125 and 3200 kcal/kg) with and without nutrient adjustment, plus one control treatment (2975 kcal ME/kg), totaling seven treatments including six repetitions with five birds into each repetition. For initial performance, 1120 birds were distributed randomly with eight replications within treatments and 20 birds for each replication. For final performance, 1008 chickens were distributed with eight replications and 18 birds for each replication. The DCDM and DCCP were improved (P0.05) between energy and nutrient adjustment, but the increase in energy levels improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR=1.370). Increasing energy density with nutrient adjustment improves both nutrient utilization and bird performance.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a mixed fermentation bioinoculant on the conservation of whole-plant maize silage at different packing densities. Experimental silos were opened after 45 days to determine fermentative losses, chemical composition, dry matter degradability in vitro, and aerobic stability. A dose-response assay compared bioinoculant application rates of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 L t-1 in silages packed at 400 and 550 kg m-3. Especially at intermediate doses, the bioinoculant increased aerobic stability and reduced losses of dry matter, gases, and ammonia nitrogen, while preserving non-fiber carbohydrates and hemicellulose. In the efficiency validation, the 4 L t-1 dose was compared with a commercial inoculant under the same two packing densities. The tested bioinoculant improved aerobic stability, whereas the commercial inoculant resulted in higher dry matter degradability in vitro. The results indicate that the mixed fermentation bioinoculant enhances the conservation of maize silage under variable packing conditions and improves the stability of the material after silo opening.

Wet Distillers by-products from the corn ethanol industry have become increasingly relevant in ruminant nutrition due to their highprotein and fiber content. However, their high moisture content and rapid aerobic spoilage represent major challenges for storage,transportation, and environmental management. Ensiling has emerged as an effective strategy to preserve these by-products, particularlywhen incorporated into total mixed ration (TMR) or partial mixed ration (PMR) silages. This review discusses the principles of ensilingapplied to wet Distillers by-products, with emphasis on wet Distillers grains and wet Distillers bran plus solubles (WDBS). The role ofbiological and chemical additives in improving fermentation quality, reducing nutrient losses, and enhancing aerobic stability is criticallyexamined. In addition, the environmental implications of using ensiled agro-industrial by-products are discussed, including reductions infeed waste, effluent losses, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with improper disposal. Current challenges, knowledge gaps, andfuture research directions are also highlighted. The integration of wet Distillers by-products into ensiled rations represents a promisingapproach for improving feed efficiency and promoting sustainability in ruminant production systems.

This study evaluated the effects of wilting and a mixed fermentation bioinoculant composed of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri on the conservation of BRS Capiaçu (Cenchrus purpureus) silage. A 2 × 6 factorial design was used, combining two moisture conditions (fresh and wilted forage) with six treatments: an uninoculated control, a commercial lactic acid bacteria inoculant and four doses of the experimental bioinoculant (2, 4, 6 and 8 L t⁻¹). After 45 days of storage, fermentative losses, chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and aerobic stability were evaluated. Wilting increased dry matter content and reduced effluent, gas and dry matter losses, while improving protein retention and digestibility. In the absence of inoculation, silages showed greater fermentative losses and lower aerobic stability, particularly under fresh conditions. The response to bioinoculation was dose-dependent, with 4 L t⁻¹ providing the most favorable balance between reduced losses, lower ammoniacal nitrogen and improved aerobic stability, outperforming both the uninoculated control and the commercial inoculant. Higher inoculant doses increased fiber concentrations, reflecting greater utilization of soluble substrates during fermentation, but did not result in additional improvements in digestibility when wilting was applied. Overall, wilting combined with the intermediate bioinoculant dose represents an efficient and balanced strategy to optimize the conservation of BRS Capiaçu silage.

Partial mixed ration silage is an applied strategy to preserve high-moisture agro-industrial by-products while maintaining feedingflexibility in ruminant production systems. This applied study evaluated the effects of storage duration and ration dry matter content onpreservation efficiency of partial mixed ration silage containing wet Distillers bran plus solubles. Treatments included wet Distillers branplus solubles ensiled alone, a total mixed ration, and partial mixed rations formulated with fibrous or energetic dry ingredients. Silageswere stored for 60 and 120 days, and water-holding capacity, dry matter losses, effluent production, and aerobic stability were evaluated.Water-holding capacity differed among ingredients and mixtures, influencing effluent losses during storage. Dry matter losses and effluentproduction increased with storage duration, particularly in silages with lower dry matter content. Total mixed ration and partial mixedrations formulated with soybean hulls showed reduced losses and greater aerobic stability compared with wet Distillers bran plus solublesensiled alone. These results demonstrate that preservation efficiency of partial mixed ration silage is primarily determined by formulationand storage management, highlighting practical strategies to improve utilization of wet Distillers bran plus solubles in ruminant feedingsystems.

Wet Distillers bran plus solubles is a high-moisture agro-industrial by-product widely used in ruminant diets; however, its rapid spoilagelimits storage and transport. This experimental and applied study evaluated the effects of different biological and chemical additives on thefermentation profile, microbial populations, dry matter losses, and aerobic stability of total mixed ration silage containing wet Distillersbran plus solubles. A total mixed ration was treated with no additive (control), a heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria inoculant, sodiumbenzoate, or a blend of organic acids and ensiled for 45 days. Fermentation characteristics, microbial counts, dry matter losses, andaerobic stability were evaluated after the ensiling period. All treatments resulted in adequate fermentation, with final pH values within theexpected range. Chemical additives reduced dry matter losses, whereas the biological additive increased lactic acid bacteria counts withoutimproving aerobic stability. This study provides original experimental evidence under controlled conditions, focusing exclusively on theapplied evaluation of additive effects in total mixed ration silage containing wet Distillers bran plus solubles.