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Bibliography: leaves 107-130. This study evaluates quality of fermentation of the silage and also its nutritive value to ruminants on the basis of "in vitro" and "in sacco" digestability. Animal response to the silage is also evaluated in an "in vivo" digestability and nitrogen balance trial with Australian Merino sheep. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the opportunities for utilising citrus pulp and poultry litter to improve the nutritive value of wheat straw.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.) harvested at boot (5/7/88) and soft dough (6/6/88) stages of maturity was ensiled for nutritive comparisons. Boot stage was wilted and soft dough was direct cut at 15 (SD-Lo) and 25 cm (SD-Hi) above ground. Yields (kg DM/ha) were 3690, 8750 and 6287 for boot, SD-Lo and SD-Hi respectively. Digestibilities (%) of DM, CP and ADF were 74.7, 74.5 and 70.8 for boot; 61.9, 50.4 and 44.7 for SD-Lo; and 62.3, 47.2 and 49.7 for SD-Hi, respectively. Calculated TDN was 71.2, 62.0 and 62.8 for boot, SD-Lo and SD-Hi, respectively. Thirty-six lactating Holstein cows were fed boot silage at 75 and 60% of diet DM, SD-Lo fed at 75 and 60 and SD-Hi fed at 75 and 60, respectively. Milk yields (kg/d) were greatest for high concentrate diets and averaged 25.7, 28.3, 24.8, 26.3, 25.7 and 26.9, respectively. There were no differences among diets for DM intake or 4% FCM. Boot silage had a greater In Situ rumen degradability of DM, CP, ADF and NDF (68.6, 89.3, 44.2 and 45.1% respectively) than SD-Lo (57.8, 76.9, 20.9 and 24.2%) and SD-Hi (62.5, 80.0, 22.8 and 26.4%). Predictability of ruminal degradability of complete diets from weighted averages of single ingredients determined separately was low. In Situ incubation of single ingredients resulted in underestimation of DM and overestimation of CP degradability compared with complete diet incubation. / Master of Science

A small silo study was conducted to determine the optimum combination of slurry and fresh dairy waste and crop residues to achieve good ensiling. Slurry waste that had been accumulated in slurry storage tanks and dairy waste scraped from the barn were ensiled with ground corn stover, with and without the addition of 5% molasses, to achieve two dry matter levels of 30 and 35%. Fermentation, as measured by pH, lactic acid and disappearance of soluble carbohydrates, occurred in all silage mixtures. Lactic acid levels indicated that a more desirable fermentation had occurred in the waste silages containing molasses. Total and fecal coliforms and salmonella, shigella and proteus organisms were either destroyed or essentially eliminated following ensiling. A large silo study was conducted with the mixtures containing molasses. The fresh waste was diluted with water to achieve the same dry matter levels as the slurry waste. The mixtures for the 30 and 40% dry matter levels were 71:39 and 64:36 cattle waste to wheat straw, wet basis. Active fermentation occurred in all silages and pH was lower and lactic acid levels were much higher than they were in the small silo. In a metabolism trial conducted with lambs, the following diets were fed: 1) 50% orchardgrass hay, 38.3% ground corn, 11.4% soybean meal and .3% limestone (basal diet); 2) 50% basal and 50% ground wheat straw ensiled at 50% dry matter (negative control); 3) 50% basal and 50% 71:29 slurry-wheat straw silage; 4) 50% basal and 50% 64:36 slurry-wheat straw silage; 5) 50% basal and 50% 71:29 fresh waste-wheat straw silage and 50% basal and 50% 64:36 fresh waste-wheat straw silage (proportions of basal and silages were on a dry basis). Apparent dry matter digestibility was higher (P < .01) for the basal diet than for the silage diets and was higher for the waste containing silages (P < .05) than for the wheat straw silage diet. Dry matter digestibility of the waste-containing silages, calculated by difference, was not different, but was higher (P < .01) than for the ensiled wheat straw alone. Nitrogen digestibility was higher (P < .05) for the waste containing silages, compared to the wheat straw silage but lower (P < .05) than the basal ration. All lambs were in positive nitrogen balance, with the lambs fed the 71:39 slurry waste silage slightly higher than for those fed the other diets. The lambs fed the basal and wheat straw silages had similar nitrogen retention. Ruminal ammonia levels were highest (P < .05) for the lambs fed the basal and lowest for those fed the wheat straw silage diet. There were no significant differences (P < .05) among the waste-containing silages. The palatability trial with lambs was conducted using 50% basal and 50% of the silages, dry basis. Dry matter intake was highest (P < .05) for the basal diet. Dry matter intake among the silage diets was lowest (P < .05) for the slurry waste silage diets. Among the waste-containing silage diets, dry matter intake tended to be higher for the fresh waste silages, compared to the slurry waste silages of similar dry matter. / M.S.

Three experiments were conducted with fresh caged layer waste collected within 24 h after excretion. The waste was stored uncovered for 42 d in polyethylene lined 210 liter metal drums. In the first experiment, waste was treated with no additive, 1 and 1.5% formaldehyde, 1.5 and 2% sodium metabisulfite and 1. 5 and 2% propionic/formic acid (1: 1, w/w). In the second experiment, the additives used were: none, 1% formaldehyde, 1.5% sodium metabisulfite, 1.5% propionic/formic (1: 1, w/w), 10% dry sugar cane molasses and 10% dry molasses plus 2% sodium chloride (salt). In this experiment, the wastes were ensiled with wheat straw (60:40, wet basis) in 4-liter cardboard containers double lined with polyethylene with the following additives: control, 10% dry molasses, silage inoculant or 10% dry molasses plus inoculant. In the third study, the preservatives were: untreated, 1% formaldehyde, 10% dry molasses or 10% dry molasses and 2% salt. After 42 d, treated wastes and straw (60:40) were ensiled with 10% dry molasses in 210 liter metal drums doubled lined with polyethylene. A metabolism trial was conducted with 30 crossbred wethers fed a basal diet alone or with silages containing the wastes which had been treated with the preservatives (1:1, dry basis). In all studies, putrefaction, maggot infestation and dark color were observed for untreated waste. The tops of the wastes treated with sodium metabisulfite and formaldehyde were covered with mold. Formaldehyde-treated waste maintained a stable pH, and water-soluble carbohydrate level. The higher level of propionic/formic acid was effective against visible deterioration. The pH of the silages containing molasses-treated waste was lower than for silages containing control or chemically-treated wastes. Adding molasses at ensiling reduced pH and increased lactic acid. Digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were lower (P<.05) for the diet containing silage made from untreated waste, compared to diets containing silage made from treated waste. In all studies, putrefaction, maggot infestation and dark color were observed for untreated waste. The tops of the wastes treated with sodium metabisulfite and formaldehyde were covered with mold. Formaldehyde treated waste maintained a stable pH, and water-soluble carbohydrate level. The higher level of propionic/formic acid was effective against visible deterioration. The pH of the the silages containing molasses-treated waste was lower than for silages containing control or chemically-treated wastes. Adding molasses at ensiling reduced pH and increased lactic acid. Digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were lower (P<.05) for the diet containing silage made from untreated waste, compared to diets containing silage made from treated waste. / Master of Science

Ph. D. / incomplete_metadata

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2010 / This study evaluated the effects of two bacterial inoculants on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of ensiled potato hash (PH) and on digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs fed the ensiled PH. In the first experiment, 700 grams of PH, was mixed with 300g wheat bran (as is basis) and ensiled in 1.5 litre anaerobic jars. The mixture had a dry matter (DM) of 41.3 g/kg, 78.05 g/kg DM of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and a pH of 6.87 at day 0 and was treated with Bonsilage forte, BF, a heterofermentative LAB, Lalsil Fresh lactobacillus bachneri, LFLB, a homofermentative LAB or without LAB inoculant (control). Triplicate samples per treatment were collected on days 0, 3, 10, 21 and 45 post-ensiling and analysed for DM, WSC, pH, lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA), propionic acid (PA) and ammonia-N. On day 45, the silage was subjected to aerobic exposure for 5 days and CO2 production was measured. In the second and third experiments, potato hash-wheat bran mixtures of 7:3 ratio were produced and ensiled in 210 litre drums that were kept at a 250C environment. The second experiment involved an apparent nutrients digestibility study using 30 female (Large White x Landrace crossbred) pigs (30 2 kg live weight), which were selected and housed individually. A cross-over design was applied with two periods and 30 animals fed 10 diets. Three pigs were given one diet per period. The diets were: commercial feed (control); 20, 40, and 60% dietary inclusion of potato hash silage (untreated potato hash silage, UPHS; Lalsil Fresh treated potato hash silage, LFLBPHS, and Bonsilage forte treated potato hash silage, BFPHS). Each experimental period lasted for eleven days with seven days being for adaptation to each diet and four days for collection of faeces before crossing over to the next treatment. Pigs were fed twice per day at 8:00 and 15:00, with the daily allowance equally divided between the two meals. Faecal samples were weighed and 10% of the total collection was taken and kept in a freezer at -180C. Prior to chemical analysis, individual samples of faeces were thawed and pooled for pigs within periods. Water was made available at all times through drinking nipples. The third experiment was a pig growth study using sixty-four crossbred pigs (Large White x Landrace) consisting of 32 males and 32 females (30.4±2.3kg live weight). The pigs were randomly allocated to four diets in a 4 x 2 (treatment x sex) factorial experiment in a completely randomised design. The diets contained up to 40% potato hash silage (PHS) and were: control (commercial diet - no silage), UPHS, BFPHS and LFLBPHS. Each experimental unit consisted of two pigs and each treatment was replicated 8 times. Pigs were fed on one of the four diets until they reached a slaughtering weight of 60 kg. Warm carcass weights were determined immediately after slaughter. After an overnight chill storage at 4.30C, cold carcass weights were determined. Carcass length was taken on hanging carcasses by measuring from the pelvic bone to the first thoracic vertebra, using a measuring tape. Backfat thickness was also taken on cold carcass at P2 (45 mm from midsection) between the 3rd and 4th rib on the left side of the pigs. Drip loss was also calculated for hanging carcasses by determining the weight loss after the overnight chill. Results from experiment 1 showed that both inoculants (LFLB and BF) reduced (P<0.05) the silage pH while increasing the LA content of silage compared to the control. The concentrations of propionic acid, butyric acid and ammonia-N were not affected by inoculation. When exposed to air, BF and LFLB reduced (P<0.05) CO2 production compared to the control. Results of the second experiment showed that daily intakes of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre(NDF), and gross energy (GE) were different (P<0.05) between diets. There were no differences (P<0.05) in digestibility of DM, EE, and DE among the treatments. However, diets containing 60% PHS had lower (P<0.05) NDF and ADF digestibility compared to diets containing less PHS. Furthermore, pigs on the control diet had higher (P<0.05) final body weight, average daily gain (ADG) and better feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to those fed on other diets. Results of the third experiment showed that, pigs that were fed the control diet had higher (P<0.05) slaughter weight than pigs that were fed on diets containing PHS. There were no differences (P>0.05) on warm and carcass weight between diets containing PHS. Control had higher (P<0.05) dressing percentage than the other treatments. Drip loss percentage, backfat thickness, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), lungs and heart did not differ (P<0.05) between treatments. The effects of gender was not significant within treatments on slaughter weight, warm and cold carcass weights, dressing percentage, carcass length, backfat thickness, drip loss, GIT, lungs and heart. There were no gender by diet interactions (P>0.05) on warm carcass weights, cold carcass weights, drip loss percentage, carcass length, backfat, intergastral, lungs and heart. However, gender by diet interaction (P<0.05) occured on slaughter weight and dressing percentage. It was concluded that, inoculation improved both the fermentation and aerobic stability of PHS. Furthermore, there was no advantage in using LAB inoculants in ensiling potato hash on the growth performance or meat characteristics of growing pigs. However, further work is needed to evaluate the effects of higher dietary inclusion levels (> 60 %) of PHS on pig growth and reproductive performance.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa is well-known for periodic dry periods and uncertain rainfall. Ensiling of crops is a method of preserving forage and ensures feed availability during periods when the supply of good quality forage is low. Cereal-based silages, especially in the Western Cape, South Africa, represent a significant proportion of feed consumed by ruminant animals, particularly high-producyion dairy cattle. However, farmers are still concerned about the technical challenges of ensiling cereal crops. Previous research done on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants used on cereal based silage has indicated a potential for improving silage fermentation, stability and degradability, thus enhancing feed conversion and production by ruminants. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of inoculating whole-crop oat silage with Lalsil® Cereal Lactobacilli (Lactobacillus buchneri (NCIMB 40788) and Pediococcus acidilactici (CNCM MA 18/5M)) LAB on (1) silage fermentation, (2) aerobic stability and (3) nutritional value of silage ensiled under a. micro-silos conditions and b. in a bunker under outdoor conditions of a Mediterranean summer. Oats (Avena sativa, cv SSH 405) were planted on 60 ha under dryland conditions at Elsenburg in the Western Cape province, South Africa. Whole-crop oats were harvested at the soft dough stage and length of the chopped material was 9 mm (Day of ensiling – Day 0). Chopped whole-crop oats were sampled, mixed thoroughly and divided into two portions. The Inoculant (Lalsil® Cereal) was applied to one portion to provide 5.79 x 109 colony forming units (CFU) of LAB per gram of fresh material. In the first experiment twenty - four glass silos (1.5 L glass jars) (WECK, GmbH u.Co., Wehr-Ofligen, W. Germany) were filled for each of the control and inoculant treatments. The glass silos were stored in a dark room in the laboratory at ambient temperature. Three glass silos were opened for each treatment on days 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60 and 102 post-ensiling to determine fermentation dynamics. A parallel study was done with the same chopped whole-crop oats using the buried bag technique in a bunker silo. Whole-crop oats were ensiled in six net bags per treatment buried in a bunker filled with the same untreated whole crop oats. Bags, attached with nylon lines (3 m lengths) for easy retrieval were buried at 1m and 2 m depths in the same bunker. The net bags in the bunker were retrieved after 186 days of ensiling. Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), crude protein (CP), lactic acid levels, pH, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD) for both studies were determined. Silage of both experiments was exposed to aerobic conditions for ten days to determine aerobic stability. It is concluded that the inoculant Lalsil® Cereal had the effect of reducing the rate of consumption of WSC during the anaerobic phase and aerobic exposure for both experiments. Silage spoilage due to yeasts and moulds was however more evident with the inoculated silage due the presence of sugars in the micro-silos experiment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is bekend vir droë periodes en wisselvallige reënval. Die inkuiling van gewasse is ‘n goeie manier om ruvoer te voorsien in tye van droogtes of tekorte. Kleingraan kuilvoer is veral bekend in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika en maak ‘n groot deel uit van die melkkoei se rantsoen. Landbouers is nog steeds bekommerd oor die tegniese aspekte wanneer dit kom by die inkuil van gewasse. Vorige navorsing het getoon dat die gebruik van ‘n melksuurbakteriese inokulant saam met die inkuiling van gewasse moontlik die potensiaal het om fermentasie, stabiliteit en degradering te verbeter en sodoende voeromset te verbeter. Twee eksperimente is uitgevoer om die effek van die inkuiling van hawerkuilvoer met Lalsil® Cereal Lactobacilli (Lactobacillus buchneri (NCIMB 40788) en Pediococcus acidilactici (CNCM MA 18/5M)) LAB te bepaal op (1) kuilvoer fermentasie, (2) aërobiese stabiliteit en (3) nutriëntwaarde van die kuilvoer ingekuil in a. mikrosilo’s en b. in ‘n bunker in die buitelug. Hawer (Avena sativa, cv SSH 405) is op 60 ha droë land geplant op Elsenburg in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Die hawer is ingekuil tydens die sagte deeg stadium en die gekapte materiaal was ongeveer 9 mm lank. Gekapte material was deeglik gemeng en in twee gedeel. Die inokulant (Lalsil® Cereal) is op die een gedeelte gesproei om 5.79 x 109 kolonie-vormende eenhede (KVE) melksuurbakterieë per gram vars materiaal te voorsien. Tydens die eerste eksperiment is 24 mikrosilo’s (1.5 L glas silo) (WECK, GmbH u.Co., Wehr-Ofligen, W. Duitsland) vir elke behandeling vol kuilvoer gemaak. Hierdie mikrosilo’s is gestoor in ‘n donker kamer teen kamertemperatuur. Drie mikrosilo’s is per behandeling oopgemaak op dag 1, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60 en 102 na inkuiling om die fermentasie-dinamika te bepaal. ‘n Parallelle studie is gedoen met dieselfde materiaal ingekuil in netsakke binne die bunker. Die materiaal was ingekuil in ses netsakke vir elke behandeling. Nylon toue (3 m) is aan die sakke vasgemaak om die uithaal daarvan op latere stadium te vergemaklik. Hierdie sakke is ingekuil op verskillende dieptes, 1 m en 2 m in dieselfde bunker. Die sakke is na 186 dae weer uitgehaal. Droë materiaal (DM), organiese materiaal (OM), neutraal bestande vesel (NBV), ruproteïen (RP), melksuurvlakke, pH, water oplosbare koolhidrate (WOK) en in vitro organiese materiaal verteerbaarheid (IVOMV) vir beide studies is bepaal. Kuilvoer van beide eksperimente is ook blootgestel aan aërobiese toestande vir 10 dae aan aërobiese toestande blootgestel om aërobiese stabiliteit te bepaal. Daar is bepaal dat die inokulant Lalsil® Cereal het die tempo van WOK verbruik verminder gedurende die anaërobies fase sowel as die aërobiese fase vir beide eksperimente. Kuilvoer wat bederf het as gevolg van giste en swamme was meer sigbaar by die inokulant behandelde kuilvoer as gevolg van die teenwoordigheid van suikers in die mikrosilo’s. (Sleutelwoorde: hawerkuilvoer, inokulant, mikrosilo’s, water oplosbare koolhidrate (WOK), in vitro organiese materiaal verteerbaarheid (IVOMV))

162 leaves printed on single pages, preliminary pages i- vii and numbered pages 1-152. Includes bibliography and abbreviations. / Digitized at 600 dpi grayscale to pdf format (OCR), using a Bizhub 250 Konica Minolta Scanner. / Thesis (PhD(Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Maize, forage sorghum, lucerne, oats, barley and triticale are the most common silage crops in South Africa, while tropical grasses like Eragrostis curvula and Digitaria eriantha are ensiled to a lesser extent. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to E. curvula, D. eriantha, lucerne, forage sorghum, maize and oat silage. The effect of the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant when ensiling E. curvula on the fermentation dynamics during ensiling and the aerobic stability of the silage was determined. The addition of the lactic acid bacterial inoculant to E. curvula at ensiling resulted in a more rapid lowering in pH and improved preservation. Inoculated silage had a higher lactic acid content, less protein breakdown and a lower butyric acid content compared to that of the control silage. Both silages were stable when exposed to air for five days. Digitaria eriantha was ensiled, with or without the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant containing Lactobacillus plantarum. Streptococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidilactici together with the enzymes, cellulase, hemicellulase and amylase. The addition of the inoculant resulted in a more rapid drop in pH, a higher level of lactic acid, an increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria, less protein breakdown and lower numbers of enterobacteria, clostridial spores, yeast and mould compared to the control silage. Digitaria eriantha hay, control and inoculated silage diets were fed to 24 Merino rams (n = 8 per treatment) to determine intake and digestibility. The intake of diets consisting of 90.9% D. eriantha hay, control silage or inoculated silage, differed significantly (p<0.05) at 1395, 1540 and 1848 g DM/day, respectively. The in vivo organic matter digestibility (glkg) of D. eriantha hay, untreated silage and inoculated silage diets was 561, 546, 574, respectively. The addition of the bacterial inoculant when ensiling D.eriantha resulted in better preservation, improved aerobic stability, as well as a higher in vivo organic matter digestibility and intake of D. eriantha silage. The addition of an inoculant or molasses to lucerne (Medicago sativa), ensiled in laboratory silos was investigated. The addition of the additives resulted in an increased preservation rate as indicated by a more rapid lowering of pH, a faster rate of lactic acid production and less protein breakdown compared to control silage. The inoculant was more effective than the molasses in improving the rate of preservation. The aerobic stability of lucerne silage was not affected by inoculation or the addition of molasses. The addition of an inoculant to wilted big bale lucerne silage was studied. The inoculant improved silage quality as indicated by a lower pH, higher lactic acid content, lower ammonia nitrogen content and lower level of butyric acid in inoculated silage compared to the control lucerne silage. The composition of big round bale lucerne silage differed markedly from that of lucerne ensiled in laboratory silos as the former had a higher pH, ammonia nitrogen, butyric acid and acetic acid content and a lower lactic content. Whole crop forage sorghum cultivar FS2 was harvested at the late bloom (20.7% DM) and soft dough (28.9% DM) stages of maturity and ensiled in laboratory silos with the addition of commercial silage inoculants. At both stages of maturity the inoculants caused a more rapid rate of pH decline and a higher amount of lactic acid production. All the silages were well preserved. Silages of the sorghum ensiled at the late bloom stage with all treatments were stable after 5 days of aerobic exposure, whereas sorghum ensiled at the soft dough stage with the addition of the inoculants deteriorated upon aerobic exposure. It is concluded that addition of lactic acid bacterial inoculants to mature sorghum at ensiling might impair the aerobic stability of the silage. The yield, nutritional value and production potential of silage made from twenty one maize hybrids was compared. It was concluded that maize hybrids did differ in metabolizable energy content, rate of digestion, predicted intake and predicted milk production potential. The content of NDF and ADF did not differ between the maize hybrids used in this study and could therefore not be used to predict nutritional value or production potential. Maize was harvested at the hard dough stage and ensiled with or without the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant in laboratory silos and in 210 litre drums. The adding of the inoculant to maize at ensiling did not result in a more rapid drop in pH and higher levels of lactic acid. The intake and growth of South African Mutton Merino lambs fed inoculated and untreated maize silage diets was determined. The average daily gain of lambs fed a diet consisting of either 60% control or inoculated maize silage over a growth period of 60 days was 239 ± 26 and 255 ± 44 g/day, respectively. Although the laboratory study showed very little effect of adding a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to maize at ensiling, lambs tended to consume more of the inoculated silage. In the second study the effect of the addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant with an enzyme to maize at ensiling on the fermentation dynamics during ensiling, aerobic stability of the silage, the intake, milk production and milk composition of Jersey cows fed maize silage diets was determined. The inoculant did not result in a more rapid lowering of the pH or a more rapid lactic acid production compared to untreated maize silage made in laboratory silos. Both the control and inoculated maize silages were well preserved. The addition of the inoculant to maize at ensiling improved the palatability, intake and the aerobic stability of maize silage compared to the untreated control maize silage. Milk production, milk composition, live weight and condition score of Jersey cows was not significantly affected by the addition of the inoculant to maize silage. The effect of the addition of an enzyme containing lactic acid bacterial inoculant to big bale oat (Avena sativa, cv Cederberg) silage on silage composition, silage intake, milk production and milk composition of Jersey cows was determined. The crop was cut at the bloom stage, wilted and ensiled in big round bales. The inoculant, Sil-All, was applied during the baling process on half of the bales. Silages were fed to Jersey cows in an intake and milk production study. Both the control and inoculated oat silages were well preserved. The inoculated oat silage had a lower level of butyric acid than the control oat silage. Cows fed the inoculated oat silage produced more (P=O.05) milk (17.7 kg/day) than cows fed the control oat silage (16.7 kg/day). The addition of a lactic acid bacterial inoculant to big bale oat silage improved silage composition and animal performance. This study clearly showed that the composition of silages made in bunker silos under commercial farm conditions differ largely from that of silages made in small scale laboratory silos. When the effect of silage additives on aerobic stability of silage is determined the evaluation should include studies on large scale bunker silages. Evaluation of silage additives should include intake and animal production studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mielies, voersorghum, lusem, hawer, gars en korog word algemeen as kuilvoer gewasse benut terwyl tropiese grasse soos Eragrostis curvula en Digitaria eriantha tot 'n mindere mate ingekuil word. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die invloed van 'n melksuurbakterieseinokulant op E. curvula-, D. eriantha-, lusem-, voersorghum-, mielie- en hawerkuilvoer te bepaal. Die invloed van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant op die fermentasiedinamika en die aerobiese stabiliteit van E. curvula-kuilvoer is bepaal. Die toediening van die melksuurbakterieseinokulant tot E. curvula tydens inkuiling het 'n vinniger tempo van pH daling en beter preservering tot gevolg gehad in vergelyking met kontrole kuilvoer. Inokulant behandelde kuilvoer het 'n hoer melksuurinhoud, minder protei'en afbraak en 'n laer bottersuurinhoud as kontrole kuilvoer gehad. Beide kuilvoere was stabiel tydens blootstelling aan lug vir vyf dae. Digitaria eriantha is ingekuil met ofsonder die toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant wat Lactobacillus plantarum. Streptococcus faecium en Pediococcus acidilactici sowel as die ensieme, sellulase, hemisellulase and amilase bevat het. Die inokulant het 'n vinniger tempo van pH-daling, hoer vlakke van melksuur en melksuurbakterie, minder protei'en afbraak en laer getalle van enterobakterie, klostridiale spore, giste and swamme in vergelyking met die kontrole tot gevolg gehad. Digitaria eriantha hooi, kontrole kuilvoer en gei'nokuleerde kuilvoer diete is aan 24 Merino ramme (n = 8 per behandeling) gevoer vir bepaling van inname en verteerbaarheid. Die inname van diete wat uit 90.9% D. eriantha hooi, kontrole kuilvoer of gei'nokuleerde kuilvoer bestaan het, het betekenisvol (p<0.05) verskil en was 1395, 1540 en 1848 gDM/dag, respektiewelik. Die in vivo organiesemateriaal verteerbaarheid (gIkg) vanD. eriantha hooi, kontrole kuilvoer en geYnokuleerde kuilvoer was 561, 546, 574, respektiewelik. Die toediening van die bakteriese-inokulant tydens inkuiling vanD. eriantha het beter preservering, verbeterde aerobiese stabiliteit asook 'n hoer in vivo organiesemateriaal verteerbaarheid van D. eriantha kuilvoer tot gevolg gehad. Die effek van toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant en van molasse tot lusem (Medicago sativa) ingekuil in laboratoriumsilos is ondersoek. Die inokulant toediening en molasse toediening het die tempo van preservering versnel, die pH het vinniger gedaal, melksuur is teen 'n hoer tempo geproduseer en minder proteYen afbraak het plaasgevind in vergelyking met die kontrole kuilvoer. Die tempo van preservering is meer effektief deur toediening van die inokulant verhoog as deur die toediening van molasse. Die aerobiese stabiliteit van lusernkuilvoer is nie beYnvloed deur die toediening van inokulant ofmolasse nie. Die effek van die toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant tot groot rondebaal lusernkuilvoer is ondersoek. Die inokulant het die kwaliteit van die kuilvoer verbeter en het 'n laer pH, hoer melksuur, laer ammoniak stikstofen laer bottersuurinhoud in rondebaallusernkuilvoer tot gevolg gehad in vergelyking met kontrole kuilvoer. Groot rondebaallusernkuilvoer het grootliks verskil van lusernkuilvoer wat in laboratoriumsilos ingekuil is. Die rondebaal kuilvoer het 'n hoer pH, hoer ammoniak-stikstof-, bottersuur- en asynsuurinhoud en 'n laer melksuurinhoud gehad as laboratorium lusernkuilvoer. Voersorghum kultivar FS2 is op die laat blom (20.7% DM) en op die sagte deeg (28.9% DM) stadium met die byvoeging van melksuurbakteriese-inokulante ingekuil in laboratoriumsilos. Toediening van beide inokulante tot sorghum hetop beide die inkuilstadiums gelei tot 'n vinniger tempo van pHdaling en meer melksuurproduksie. Aile kuilvoere insluitend die kontrole kuilvoer was goed gepreserveer. Kontrole sowel geYnokuleerde sorghumkuilvoer ingekuil op die laat blomstadium was stabiel tydens aerobiese blootstelling vir 5 dae. Sorghumkuilvoer ingekuil op die sagtedeegstadium met die byvoeging van inokulante was onstabiel tydens aerobiese blootstelling. Die toediening van melksuurbakteriese-inokulante tot sorghum wat op die sagtedeegstadium ingekuil word kan aerobiese stabiliteit van die kuilvoer grootliks benadeel. Die opbrengs, voedingswaarde en produksiepotensiaal van kuilvoer gemaak van 21 mielie hibriede is vergelyk. Verskille in metaboliseerbare energie inhoud, tempo van vertering, voorspelde inname en voorspelde melkproduksie het tussen mielie hibriede voorgekom. Die neutraalbestandevesel- en suurbestandeveselinhoud het nie verskil tussen hibriede nie en derhalwe kon dit nie gebruik word om voedingswaarde ofproduksiepotensiaal te beraam rue. Mielies is op die hardedeegstadium met of sonder die toediening van 'n melksuurbakterieseinokulant in laboratoriumsilos en 210 liter dromme ingekui!. Die toediening van die inokulant het geen invloed op tempo van pH-daling ofproduksie van melksuur gehad nie. Die inname en groei van SA Vleismerino lammers wat 'n dieet bestaande uit 60% kontrole of inokulant behandelde mieliekuilvoer ontvang het, is bepaa!. Die gemiddelde daaglikse toename van lammers was 239 ± 26 and 255 ± 44 g/dag vir die kontrole en inokulant mieliekuilvoer dieet respektiewelik. Alhoewel die laboratoriumstudie weinig verskille tussen die kontrole en die geYnokuleerde mieliekuilvoer getoon het, het lammers geneig om meer van die geYnokuleerde mieliekuilvoer in te neem. In die tweede studie met mieliekuilvoer is die effek van toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant met ensieme, op die ferrnentasiedinamika tydens inkuiling, die aerobiese stabiliteit van mieliekuilvoer asook die inname, melkproduksie en melksamestelling van Jersey koeie bepaa!. Die inokulant het nie die tempo van pH daling en produksie van melksuurverhoog nie en beide kontrole en geYnokuleerde mieliekuilvoerwas goed gepreserveer. Die toediening van die inokulant tot mieliekuilvoer het die smaaklikheid, inname en die aerobiese stabiliteit van mieliekuilvoer verhoog in vergeiyking met kontrole mieliekuilvoer. Melkproduksie, melksamestelling, liggaamsmassa en kondisiepunt van Jersey koeie is nie betekenisvol beYnvloed deur die toediening van die inokulant tot mieliekuilvoer nie. Die effek van die toediening van 'n ensiem bevattende melksuurbakteriese-inokulant tot groot rondebaal hawer (Avena sativa, cv Cederberg) kuilvoer op die samestelling van kuilvoer, kuilvoerinname, melkproduksie en melksamestelling van Jersey koeie is bepaa!. Die gewas is gesny op die blomstadium, verwelk en as rondebaalkuilvoer gepreserveer. Die inokulant, Sil-All, is tydens die baalproses toegedien op die helfte van die bale. Kuilvoere is aan Jersey koeie gevoer in 'n inname en melkproduksiestudie. Beide die kontrole en geYnokuleerde hawerkuilvoer was goed gepreserveer. Die bottersuurinhoud van geYnokuleerde hawerkuilvoer was laer as die van die kontrole hawerkuilvoer. Koeie wat geYnokuleerde hawerkuilvoer gevoer is het meer (P=0.05) melk (17.7 kg/dag) geproduseer as koeie wat kontrole hawerkuilvoer ontvang het (16.7 kg/dag). Die toediening van 'n melksuurbakteriese-inokulant het kuilvoer kwaliteit en diereproduksie verbeter. Hierdie studie wys duidelike verskille uit tussen kuilvoer wat in bunkersilos onder kommersiele toestande ingekuil is, en kuilvoer wat in laboratoriumsilos gemaak is. Wanneer die effek van kuilvoerbymiddels op die aerobiese stabiliteit van kuilvoer bepaal word behoort finale evaluasie gedoen te word op kuilvoer gemaak in bunkersilos soos onder plaastoestande plaasvind. Evaluasie van kuilvoerbymiddels behoort inname en diereproduksiestudies in te sluit.