Effect of ensiling time and hybrid type on fermentation profile, nitrogen fractions, and ruminal in vitro starch and neutral detergent fiber digestibility in whole-plant corn silage

• DOI: 10.15232/pas.2014-01371
• Publication Date: 2015-11-16T18:28:50Z
• Authors: L.F. Ferraretto; R.D. Shaver; S. Massie; R. Singo; D.M. Taysom; J.P. Brouillette
• Keywords: Silage; Neutral Detergent Fiber

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect ensiling time and hybrid type on fermentation profile, N fractions, ruminal in vitro starch (ivSD; 7 h) NDF (ivNDFD; 30 digestibility whole-plant corn silage (WPCS). Samples from 8 hybrids [4 leafy (LFY) 4 brown midrib (BMR)] were collected at harvest, vacuum-sealed plastic bags, ensiled for 0, 30, 120 240 d. Starch DM concentration unaffected (P > 0.10) by or type. Ethanol pH greater = 0.01) LFY than BMR, but lactate acetate did not differ 0.10). Soluble-CP concentrations tended 0.09) be ammonia-N ivSD Measurements lactate, acetate, total VFA < fermented 120, d compared with unfermented samples. Gradual increases observed 0.001) 0 soluble CP (33.5, 41.2, 48.9, 54.5% d, respectively) (2.6, 4.6, 6.0, 7.9% respectively). Likewise, measurements increased time. ivNDFD BMR affected Positive relationships between 0.001). Fermentation ammonia-N, CP, greatly influenced minimally Ammonia-N good indicators silage.