Forage fermentation product measures are related to dry matter loss through meta-analysis

• DOI: 10.15232/pas.2014-01356
• Publication Date: 2015-11-16T18:28:50Z
• Authors: J.P. Goeser; C.R. Heuer; P.M. Crump
• Keywords: efficiency; preservation; 0402 animal and dairy science; forage; dry matter loss; 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences; fermentation

Forage preservation through fermentation can result in substantial DM and economic losses. The objective of this research by the use meta-analysis was to determine whether end-product measures forage parameters were capable predicting losses following ensiling. data set built searching a database for “forage,” “fermentation,” “dry matter loss.” contained 405 means from 43 peer-reviewed reports. (% original DM) ranged 0 28.6% with raw mean 6.2%. Report, biology, treatment, length, DM, pH, lactic acid, acetic acid related natural logarithm loss using mixed-model approach. Parameters evaluated linear quadratic effects interactions. Report classified as random effect. resulting model had 1.403 R2 0.813, root square error 0.418. (%), biology Fermentation treatments tended (P < 0.10) differ. pH × all exhibited fermentation, treatment describing most DM-loss variation across range published reports ≤ 0.01). final described here has utility predict due may be useful diagnose problematic fermentations assess opportunity costs.