The overall hypothesis of this research was that silage biomass and protein yields would be higher in corn-soybean intercrops than in monocrops on the same land area. Yields, European corn borer infestation and N transfer were tested over tall and dwarf corn hybrids, nodulating and nonnodulating soybean genotypes and at 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha$ sp{-1}$. Land Equivalent Ratios ranged from 0.97 to 1.23, but most were higher than 1.10. Protein concentrations of corn-soybean silage, up to 10.76%, were on average 9.24% vs. 7.41% in corn silage. A general trend of higher protein yield ha$ sp{-1}$ in intercrops compared to corn monocrops was significant in 1986. Corn-soybean intercrops at 60 kg N ha$ sp{-1}$ and three population densities were $132 to $261 ha$ sp{-1}$ more cost effective than monocropped tall corn at 120 kg N ha$ sp{-1}$. European corn borer infestation was reduced by intercropping and was higher at 120 kg N ha$ sp{-1}$ than at 60 or 0 kg N ha$ sp{-1}$. Under normal rainfall, dwarf corn had higher protein and yield levels when intercropped with nodulating rather than nonnodulating soybean. On N-depleted soil, N transfer was detected from nodulating soybean to nonnodulating soybean and to corn by the $ sp{15}$N dilution method, and to corn by direct $ sp{15}$N labelling of nodulating soybean.

No description available.

Corn silages were selected from samples analyzed in the Virginia Tech Forage Testing Laboratory. A sample selection scheme employing observation of silage quality indicators (color, mold, aroma, fermentation type) was utilized to obtain a sample set encompassing a wide range in deterioration. In vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) was the criteria used to estimate feeding value. The full data set contained 142 corn silages which averaged 59.8 ± 6.6% and ranged from 38.5 to 74.7% IVDOM. Simple and multiple regression of IVDOM on chemical constituents were performed for the full data set and within fermentation groups. Coefficients of determination (R² ) revealed that acid detergent fiber (ADF) and dry matter (DM) explained the largest proportion of variation in IVDOM. The simple regression on the full data set resulted in R² of .352 and .208 with standard errors of the prediction S_y.x of 5.29 and 5.86 for ADF and DM, respectively. Multiple regression analyses resulted in minor improvements in S_y.x. These data suggest the inclusion of other variables besides ADF and DM in the prediction equation is unwarranted. Corn silage IVDOM was predicted employing Near-infrared reflectance techniques. A calibration resulted in R² of .77, S_y.x of 5.38. The calibration equation was tested for the prediction of IVDOM for an additional 90 corn silages. The regression of NIR predicted IVDOM resulted in an R² of .37 and S_y.x of 4.04. The prediction of corn silage IVDOM by NIR or ADF were similar. / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 H36 / Master of Science

Com o avanço da maturidade fisiológica, ocorre enchimento dos grãos, aumento do teor de matéria seca (MS) e assim mudanças na composição bromatológica da planta de milho. Desta forma é importante o estudo do tamanho de corte da forragem que preserve as características da planta fresca, permitindo adequada fermentação da massa e consequentemente a produção de uma silagem de qualidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o processo de produção de silagens de milho planta inteira, com foco em avaliar o impacto sobre a fermentação e o pós-abertura de silagens produzidas à partir de híbridos distintos, colhidos em diferentes estágios de maturação e processados mecanicamente sob gradiente de tamanho de corte. E definir a melhor estratégia de configuração de tamanho de corte para a colheita em diferentes estágios de maturação. A ensilagem da cultura de milho foi realizada em silos experimentais com capacidade de 20 L, os híbridos foram colhidos com a colhedora JF AT 1600 (sem processador de grãos). Os tratamentos foram constituídos por teores de matéria seca das plantas (300 e 370 g/kg de MS), diferentes híbridos (LG 6030, LG 6036 e AG1051) e três tamanhos teóricos de corte (TTC) de acordo com a regulagem da colhedora (3, 5 e 7 mm), sendo utilizadas quatro repetições por tratamento e armazenadas por 90 dias. Foram avaliados: composição química-bromatológica, ácido lático, pH, microbiologia, perda de matéria seca (PMS), estabilidade aeróbia (EA), kernel processing score (KPS), características físicas das partículas e dos grãos, degradabilidade in situ da MS, FDN e Amido, e amido degradável. Houve interação entre híbrido, maturidade e TTC e esses fatores tiveram efeito sobre o valor nutritivo, características físicas, estabilidade aeróbia, degradabilidade in situ da MS, FDN e amido das silagens de milho neste estudo. Os teores de MS e amido da silagem aumentaram com o avanço da maturidade e como efeito deste aumento, as concentrações de FDN e FDA diminuíram. Os tratamentos com 300 g/kg de MS apresentaram maiores contagens de leveduras, maiores PMS e menor EA. As silagens de milho colhidas a um TTC menor (3 mm), como esperado, tiveram menos partículas maiores que 19 mm, mais partículas entre 1.18 - 8 mm, e um menor TMP comparado com as silagens de milho colhidas com 5 e 7mm. A degradabilidade in situ de MS, FDN e Amido foi afetada principalmente pelo tipo de híbrido e maturidade. O desaparecimento da MS foi maior para os híbridos AG 1051 e LG 6036, de FDN foi maior para o híbrido LG 6036 e do amido foi maior para o híbrido AG 1051. O desaparecimento da MS, FDN e Amido foi maior quando foi incubada amostras com teor de MS de 300 g/kg de MS do que para silagem de milho com 370 g/kg MS. Reduzir o TTC (de 7 mm para 5 ou 3 mm), é eficaz quando a planta é colhida com 300 g/kg de MS mas não é efetivo com 370 g/kg de MS. No entanto o melhor resultado para colheita em maturidade mais avançada foi potencializado pelo uso do híbrido AG 1051 caracterizado pela empresa responsável como macio e pelo LG 6036 caracterizado pela empresa responsável como duro. Contudo se o milho passar de 370 g/kg de MS e utilizar colhedora acoplada ao trator sem processador de grãos, reduzir TTC não irá melhorar o processamento dos grãos. A colheita com 300 g/kg de MS foi mais eficiente com redução do TTC para 3 ou 5 mm e para o híbrido LG 6030 e a colheita com 370 g/kg de MS independente do TTC foi mais eficiente para os híbridos AG 1051 e LG 6036. O TTC e a maturidade na colheita constituem estratégias efetivas em refinar as recomendações para ensilagem de híbridos de milho diferentes. / With the advent of physiological maturity, grain growth, increased dry matter content (DM) and assimilation in the bromatology of the corn plant. In this way it is important to study the cut of weight to preserve the characteristics of the fresh plant, allowing the fermentation of the mass and, consequently, the production of a quality silage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the whole plant of corn silage production process, with a focus to evaluating the impact of the fermentation and the aerobic stability of silages produced from different hybrids harvested at different stages of maturation and mechanically processed under gradient of length of cut. And define the best strategy of setting the cut size for harvest at different stages of maturation. Corn silage ensiling was performed in experimental silos with a capacity of 20 L, the hybrids were harvested with the JF AT 1600 harvester (without grain processor). The treatments were constituted by dry matter contents of the plants (300 and 370 g/kg DM), different hybrids (LG 6030, LG 6036 and AG1051) and three theoretical lengths of cut (TLOC) according to the harvester adjustment (3, 5 and 7 mm), using four replicates per treatment and stored for 90 days. The following parameters were evaluated: chemical composition, lactic acid, pH, microbiology, dry matter loss (DML), aerobic stability (EA), kernel processing score (KPS), particle and grain physical characteristics, in situ DM degradability, NDF and Starch, and degradable starch. There was interaction between hybrid, maturity and TLOC, and these factors had effect on the nutritive value, physical characteristics, aerobic stability, in situ degradability of DM, NDF and corn silage starch in this study. The content of DM and starch of the silage increased with the advancement of maturity and as a result of this increase, the concentrations of NDF and ADF decreased. Treatments with 300 g/kg DM showed higher yeast counts, higher DML and lower EA. Maize silages harvested at a lower TLOC (3 mm), as expected, had fewer particles larger than 19 mm, more particles between 1.18 - 8 mm, and lower TMP compared to maize silages harvested at 5 and 7 mm. The in situ degradability of DM, NDF and Starch was mainly affected by hybrid type and maturity. The disappearance of MS was higher for the AG 1051 and LG 6036 hybrids, where as the NDF disappearance was higher for the LG 6036 hybrid and the starch was higher for the AG 1051 hybrid. The disappearance of DM, NDF and Starch was higher when samples were incubated with DM content of 300 g/kg DM than for corn silage at 370 g/kg MS. Reducing TLOC (from 7 mm to 5 or 3 mm) is effective when the plant is harvested at 300 g/kg DM but is not effective at 370 g/kg DM. However the best result for harvesting in more advanced maturity was potentialized by the use of hybrid AG 1051 characterized by the company responsible as soft and by the LG 6036 characterized by the company responsible as hard. However, if maize exceeds 370 g/kg DM and uses harvester coupled to the tractor without a grain processor, reducing TLOC will not improve grain processing. Harvesting with 300 g/kg DM was more efficient with TLOC reduction for 3 or 5 mm and for the LG 6030 hybrid, and harvesting with 370 g/kg DM independent of TLOC was more efficient for hybrids AG 1051 and LG 6036. TLOC and maturity at harvest constitute effective strategies to better fine tuning ensiling recommendations for different corn hybrids.

Foram conduzidos dois experimentos com o intuito de se avaliar o desempenho, características de carcaça e parâmetros ruminais de bovinos Nelore recebendo dietas contendo grãos de milho flint processados de diferentes formas em associação a diferentes aditivos e níveis de FDN de silagem de milho (FDNf). No Experimento 1, 239 tourinhos (PCI=350±26,79kg) foram alojados em 40 baias de acordo com o peso corporal inicial e receberam dietas contendo dois tipos de processamento dos grãos de milho (moagem fina e floculação) e diferentes aditivos (monensina sódica; 25 ppm e formulação A062 a base de virginiamicina; produto teste, não comercial, fornecido pela Ourofino Saúde Animal; nas dosagens de 17 e 25 ppm), totalizando 8 tratamentos. Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC MIXED do SAS. A floculação aumentou o peso final, o ganho de peso diário, a eficiência alimentar, o peso da carcaça quente e tendeu a aumentar o rendimento de carcaça em comparação a moagem fina. Houve tendência de interação entre processamento e fornecimento de aditivos para a ingestão de matéria seca e ganho de peso diário. A floculação reduziu o teor de amido fecal, aumentou a digestibilidade do amido no trato total, aumentou os valores de energia liquida para manutenção e ganho da dieta e o numero médio de papilas ruminais. Os aditivos aumentaram a altura, largura e área das papilas e reduziram a espessura de faixa de queratina em relação ao tratamento controle. Houve tendência das formulações a base de virginiamicina aumentarem o peso da carcaça quente dos animais em comparação com a monensina sódica, mas não em relação ao tratamento controle sem aditivo. A floculação foi mais efetiva para aumentar a digestiblidade do amido no trato total, o valor energético do milho e o desempenho dos bovinos enquanto que os aditivos não foram efetivos para aumentar o valor energético das dietas e a eficiência alimentar dos animais. No Experimento 2, 237 tourinhos (PCI=350±28,49kg) foram alojados em 32 baias de acordo com o peso corporal inicial e receberam dietas contendo dois tipos de processamento (moagem grosseira e floculação) e diferentes níveis de FDNf (4; 7; 10 e 13% MS), totalizando 8 tratamentos. Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC MIXED do SAS. A floculação tendeu a aumentar a eficiência alimentar, o peso da carcaça quente e a espessura de gordura subcutânea, reduziu o teor de amido fecal, aumentou a digestibilidade do amido no trato total como também aumentou os valores de energia liquida para manutenção e para ganho das dietas. Os níveis de FDNf afetaram ingestão de matéria seca e o peso da carcaça quente independente do método de processamento. Houve tendência de aumento linear no GPD e tendência de redução quadrática na eficiência alimentar com inclusão crescente de FDNf. A inclusão de silagem de milho em dietas com alto teor de milho flint reduziu a eficiência alimentar dos animais, mas aumentou o peso da carcaça quente. A floculação aumentou o valor energético do cereal para tourinhos Nelore em dietas com alto teor de energia. / Two experiments were conducted to evaluate animal performace, carcass characteristics and ruminal parameters of Nellore bulls fed with diets containing flint corn processed by different methods in association with additives and FDN levels of corn silage (FDNf).In the first experiment, two hundred and trhirty nine Nellore bulls (IBW=350±26.79kg) were blocked based on their initial body weight and randomly divided into 40 pens. The objective was to evaluate two different corn processing methods (fine ground and steam-flaked corn) and additives (monensin; 25 ppm and A062 formulation based on virginiamycin; test product, non-commercial, provided by Ourofino Saude Animal; 17 or 25 ppm), a total of 8 treatments. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Steam-flaking increased the final body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight and tended to increase the carcass yield. There was a tendency of interaction between corn processing and feed additives for dry matter intake and daily weight gain. Steam-flaking decreased fecal starch, increased total tract starch digestibility and increased net energy for maintenance and net energy for gain values of the diet and increased average number of papillae. Additives increased papillae leight, width, and area and decreased keratin strip thickness in comparison to the control diet. There was a tendency of A062 formulations based on virginiamycin to increase hot carcass weight in comparison to monensin, but not in relation to the control treatment, without additive. Steam-flaking was more effective to increase total tract starch digestibility, corn energy values and animal performace while the feed additives were not effective to increase the net energy value of the diets and animal feed efficiency. In the second experiment, two hundred and thirty seven Nellore bulls (IBW=350±28.49kg) were blocked based on their initial body weight and randomly divided into 32 pens. The objective was to evaluate two different corn processing methods (ground and steam-flaked corn) and four FDNf levels (4; 7; 10; 13 %DM), a total of 8 treatments. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Steam flaking tended to increase feed efficiency, hot carcass weight and fat thickness, decreased fecal starch, increased total tract starch digestibility and net energy for maintenance and net energy for gain diet values. Independent of corn processing, FDNf levels affected dry matter intake and hot carcass weight. There was a tendency of linear increase in daily weight gain and tendency of quadractic reduction on feed efficiency increasing FDNf levels. Corn silage in high grain diets decreased animal feed efficiency, but increased hot carcass weight. Steam-flaking increased the cereal energy value for Nellore bulls fed grain concentrate diets.

Foram conduzidos dois experimentos com o intuito de se avaliar o desempenho, características de carcaça e parâmetros ruminais de bovinos Nelore recebendo dietas contendo grãos de milho flint processados de diferentes formas em associação a diferentes aditivos e níveis de FDN de silagem de milho (FDNf). No Experimento 1, 239 tourinhos (PCI=350±26,79kg) foram alojados em 40 baias de acordo com o peso corporal inicial e receberam dietas contendo dois tipos de processamento dos grãos de milho (moagem fina e floculação) e diferentes aditivos (monensina sódica; 25 ppm e formulação A062 a base de virginiamicina; produto teste, não comercial, fornecido pela Ourofino Saúde Animal; nas dosagens de 17 e 25 ppm), totalizando 8 tratamentos. Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC MIXED do SAS. A floculação aumentou o peso final, o ganho de peso diário, a eficiência alimentar, o peso da carcaça quente e tendeu a aumentar o rendimento de carcaça em comparação a moagem fina. Houve tendência de interação entre processamento e fornecimento de aditivos para a ingestão de matéria seca e ganho de peso diário. A floculação reduziu o teor de amido fecal, aumentou a digestibilidade do amido no trato total, aumentou os valores de energia liquida para manutenção e ganho da dieta e o numero médio de papilas ruminais. Os aditivos aumentaram a altura, largura e área das papilas e reduziram a espessura de faixa de queratina em relação ao tratamento controle. Houve tendência das formulações a base de virginiamicina aumentarem o peso da carcaça quente dos animais em comparação com a monensina sódica, mas não em relação ao tratamento controle sem aditivo. A floculação foi mais efetiva para aumentar a digestiblidade do amido no trato total, o valor energético do milho e o desempenho dos bovinos enquanto que os aditivos não foram efetivos para aumentar o valor energético das dietas e a eficiência alimentar dos animais. No Experimento 2, 237 tourinhos (PCI=350±28,49kg) foram alojados em 32 baias de acordo com o peso corporal inicial e receberam dietas contendo dois tipos de processamento (moagem grosseira e floculação) e diferentes níveis de FDNf (4; 7; 10 e 13% MS), totalizando 8 tratamentos. Os dados foram analisados pelo PROC MIXED do SAS. A floculação tendeu a aumentar a eficiência alimentar, o peso da carcaça quente e a espessura de gordura subcutânea, reduziu o teor de amido fecal, aumentou a digestibilidade do amido no trato total como também aumentou os valores de energia liquida para manutenção e para ganho das dietas. Os níveis de FDNf afetaram ingestão de matéria seca e o peso da carcaça quente independente do método de processamento. Houve tendência de aumento linear no GPD e tendência de redução quadrática na eficiência alimentar com inclusão crescente de FDNf. A inclusão de silagem de milho em dietas com alto teor de milho flint reduziu a eficiência alimentar dos animais, mas aumentou o peso da carcaça quente. A floculação aumentou o valor energético do cereal para tourinhos Nelore em dietas com alto teor de energia. / Two experiments were conducted to evaluate animal performace, carcass characteristics and ruminal parameters of Nellore bulls fed with diets containing flint corn processed by different methods in association with additives and FDN levels of corn silage (FDNf).In the first experiment, two hundred and trhirty nine Nellore bulls (IBW=350±26.79kg) were blocked based on their initial body weight and randomly divided into 40 pens. The objective was to evaluate two different corn processing methods (fine ground and steam-flaked corn) and additives (monensin; 25 ppm and A062 formulation based on virginiamycin; test product, non-commercial, provided by Ourofino Saude Animal; 17 or 25 ppm), a total of 8 treatments. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Steam-flaking increased the final body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight and tended to increase the carcass yield. There was a tendency of interaction between corn processing and feed additives for dry matter intake and daily weight gain. Steam-flaking decreased fecal starch, increased total tract starch digestibility and increased net energy for maintenance and net energy for gain values of the diet and increased average number of papillae. Additives increased papillae leight, width, and area and decreased keratin strip thickness in comparison to the control diet. There was a tendency of A062 formulations based on virginiamycin to increase hot carcass weight in comparison to monensin, but not in relation to the control treatment, without additive. Steam-flaking was more effective to increase total tract starch digestibility, corn energy values and animal performace while the feed additives were not effective to increase the net energy value of the diets and animal feed efficiency. In the second experiment, two hundred and thirty seven Nellore bulls (IBW=350±28.49kg) were blocked based on their initial body weight and randomly divided into 32 pens. The objective was to evaluate two different corn processing methods (ground and steam-flaked corn) and four FDNf levels (4; 7; 10; 13 %DM), a total of 8 treatments. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Steam flaking tended to increase feed efficiency, hot carcass weight and fat thickness, decreased fecal starch, increased total tract starch digestibility and net energy for maintenance and net energy for gain diet values. Independent of corn processing, FDNf levels affected dry matter intake and hot carcass weight. There was a tendency of linear increase in daily weight gain and tendency of quadractic reduction on feed efficiency increasing FDNf levels. Corn silage in high grain diets decreased animal feed efficiency, but increased hot carcass weight. Steam-flaking increased the cereal energy value for Nellore bulls fed grain concentrate diets.

No description available.

High-moisture ear corn (HMEC) was untreated, treated with propionic acid (PA) or inoculated with a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus faecium, and then ensiled in both tower and laboratory silos. Ensiled HMEC was evaluated for fermentation quality, silage microbiology, and aerobic stability. In control and inoculated ensiled HMEC, maximum pH reduction was observed within 7 d; such pH reduction was observed only after 21 d of ensiling with PA-treated HMEC. Irrespective of treatment, ammonia concentration increased with storage time. The lactic acid content increased up to 42 d of ensilage; between 138 d and 202 d of ensilage, there was a substantial reduction in lactic acid with all treatments. Throughout ensilage, there was no difference in water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content between control and inoculated HMEC. Secondary fermentation was minimized by both inoculation and PA treatment. Regardless of treatment, the population of lactic acid bacteria increased within 7 d of ensilage and reached a maximum at 21 d of ensilage. Populations of yeasts and moulds decreased with fermentation time up to 42 d, then increased as the ensilage progressed. Bacterial inoculation increased aerobic stability of ensiled HMEC. PA was more effective than inoculation in reducing the disappearance of lactic acid and the rise in pH. Irrespective of treatment, the population of yeasts and moulds and other microorganisms increased in aerated HMEC. Both PA treatment and bacterial inoculation reduced aerobic spoilage of ensiled HMEC. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Forage shortage may force producers to feed unfermented or partially fermented forages, which are more susceptible to aerobic deterioration. Propionic acid-based additives can be added to ensiled forages to inhibit yeast and mold growth, and improve the aerobic stability of silages. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a propionic acid-based silage additive (Solution Foin) on ensiling characteristics, aerobic stability and feeding value of short-term ensiled corn forage. Chopped whole corn was left untreated or treated with Solution Foin (contains 700 g kg-1 propionic acid and 300 g kg-1 NH4OH). The additive was added to forage prior ensiling at a rate of 5 L ton-1 (wet basis). Treated and untreated forages were placed in six plastic silo bags (three each). Silo bags were opened one day after ensiling and daily samples were collected for 30 consecutive days. Effects on animal performance of feeding treated or untreated forage were determined in a completely randomized design, using 30 lactating cows (178+/-55 days in milk) fed total mixed ration (50:50 forage: concentrate) with the major forage portion consisting of untreated or treated forage. The feeding study started one day post-ensiling. Results showed that Solution Foin reduced (P < 0.05) yeast and mold populations between d 5 and 14 post-ensiling. The highest differences (P < 0.002) were observed on d 10, at which point yeast and mold populations for untreated silage were 7.86 and 2.51 log cfu g-1, respectively. The corresponding values for treated silage were 4.35 and 0.00 log cfu g-1, respectively. Aerobic stability of treated ensiled forage was also improved (P < 0.01) from day 0 (by 159 h) to day 10 (by 33 h) post-ensiling. Solution Foin also increased (P < 0.05) the overall lactic acid and WSC content, and lowered the temperature of the treated ensiled forage in the field. No treatment differences were detected in the forage pH and acetic acid concentration. Dairy cows fed treated forage had similar feed intake (average 23 kg d-1) and milk yield (average 29 kg d-1) to cows fed the untreated forage. It was concluded that Solution Foin can be used to improve the aerobic stability and ensiled forage characteristics of short-term corn forage, likely by reducing yeast and mold populations.