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The nutritive value of faba bean silage for lactating dairy cows

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dry matter (DM) production and chemical composition of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats
(Avena sativa) were determined according to fresh material harvested at weekly intervals. From 75 to 166 days
after planting whole plants of faba beans and oats were harvested at a height of ca. 10 cm above the ground on
five randomly selected areas of 0.25 m² each. The freshly harvested material was weighed “as is” and ovendried
to determine the DM content of each sample. The fresh and DM forage production per hectare was then
calculated. The crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF),
nitrogen free extract (NFE), fat (EE), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were determined according to
standard laboratory techniques. The change in chemical composition of fresh whole crop material was
regressed on days after planting using simple linear regressions. The fresh and DM production of whole crop
faba beans and oats increased with advancing growth stage. During the 2002 production year fresh yield
production of both whole crop faba beans and oats peaked at 131 days (44.7±6.9 and 28.4±7.1 ton/ha
respectively). DM yield peaked at 159 and 152 days for whole crop faba beans and oats being 9.4±1.3 and
8.8±0.7 tons DM/ha respectively. The chemical composition of both forage crops decreased with advancing
growth stage. The CP content of whole crop faba beans decreased (P<0.05) from 25.3% at 82 days after
planting to 18.4 % at 166 days after planting in the 2002 production year, while during the 2003 production year
the CP content of whole crop faba beans decreased (P<0.05) from 28.2 to 19.5 % from 75 to 159 days after
planting. During 2002 the CF % of faba beans increased from 20.2 to 22.6%, while during 2003 CF % similarly
increased from 21.8 to 26.5%. The CF % for oats during 2003 increased from 25.6 to 36.9%. During the same
time the EE, Ca and P contents also decreased (P<0.05), while the NDF, CF and ADF contents increased (P<0.05).
Two milk production studies were conducted to compare the feed intake, milk yield and milk composition of
Holstein cows receiving either whole plant faba bean silage or oats as a hay or silage. Faba bean (Vicia faba)
silage (FBS) was compared to that of cows receiving either oat (Avena sativa) hay (OH) or oat silage (OS) and
in a 50:50 combination with FBS. Faba beans (cv. Ascot) and oats (cv. Sederberg) were planted on a
Glenrosa soil. Whole crop faba beans were ensiled 145 days after planting in an above ground concrete
bunker using a commercial bacterial inoculant after being wilted for one day.
In the first experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, OH or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OH as
forage, together with a concentrate, were fed to three groups of seven lactating Holstein cows each. The
experiment was conducted according to a randomized block design. Cows were on average 112±44 days post
calving producing 24.0±6.2 kg milk/day. Milk production parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared by analysis of variance. The DM intake and milk yield of cows receiving
TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OH as forages did not differ (P>0.05), milk yields
being 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 and 20.5±1.4 kg/cow/day respectively. With the exception of MUN, milk composition
parameters did not differ among treatments (P>0.10). Cows fed OH as roughage source had a higher
(P=0.06) MUN level in the milk. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OH in
lactating dairy cow diets.
In the second experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, oat silage (OS) or a 50:50 mixture of FBS
and OS as forages, together with a concentrate, were fed to six Holstein cows according to a double 3 x 3 Latin
Square cross-over experimental design. Each cow received 13 kg DM either FBS, OS or a 50:50 mixture of
FBS and OS were fed as forages, together with three different concentrates at nine kg “as is” each, to each
cow. Cows were on average 108±30 days post calving producing 22.0±2.0 kg milk/day. DM intake, body
weight, milk yield and milk composition parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were
compared statistically. The DM intake and body weight of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a
mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), although body weight changes differed
significantly (P<0.10), i.e. 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 and -6.0±3.2 kg respectively. The milk yield of cows receiving
TMR’s containing FBS, OS or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), milk yields
being 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 and 21.9±0.4 kg/cow/day respectively. Of the milk composition parameters, the milk
CP(%) of cows fed TMR’s containing FBS differed (P<0.05) from the cows fed the 50:50 mixture of FBS and
OS, as well as cows fed the OS, being 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 and 2.96±0.02% respectively. Results from this
study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OS in lactating dairy cow diets.
The South African database on in situ protein and fiber degradability values for whole crop faba beans and oats
is limited. The chemical composition of whole crop faba beans and oats constantly change as plants mature.
For optimal stage of ensiling and feed formulation it would be useful to have CP, NDF and ADF degradability
values available for whole crop faba beans and oats harvested at different growth stages. The objective of this
study was to determine the ruminal nutrient degradabilities of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats
(Avena sativa). Whole crop faba beans and oats were cut at weekly intervals from 75 to 159 days after planting.
Effective DM, CP, NDF and ADF degradability values of faba beans and oats harvested at 117, 131, 145 and
159 days after planting were determined by using the in situ nylon bag technique. Three non-lactating Holstein
cows fitted with ruminal fistulae were used. Plant material put into Dacron bags was incubated in the rumen for
4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF fractions of whole plant faba
beans and oats in four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) did not differ (P<0.05)
among cows. The degradability of different fractions for both roughages were affected (P<0.05) by growth stage
and incubation hours. DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance of whole crop faba beans and oats at 117 and 159
days after planting differed (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation time. The DM, CP, NDF
and ADF disappearance values were fitted to the non-linear model p = a + b (1- e-ct). The effective
degradabilities (P) could be calculated using a fractional outflow rate of k = 0.05. For whole crop faba beans,
parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) and parameter c (the rate at which b is degraded) all differed different forages were compared by analysis of variance. The DM intake and milk yield of cows receiving
TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OH as forages did not differ (P>0.05), milk yields
being 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 and 20.5±1.4 kg/cow/day respectively. With the exception of MUN, milk composition
parameters did not differ among treatments (P>0.10). Cows fed OH as roughage source had a higher
(P=0.06) MUN level in the milk. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OH in
lactating dairy cow diets.
In the second experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, oat silage (OS) or a 50:50 mixture of FBS
and OS as forages, together with a concentrate, were fed to six Holstein cows according to a double 3 x 3 Latin
Square cross-over experimental design. Each cow received 13 kg DM either FBS, OS or a 50:50 mixture of
FBS and OS were fed as forages, together with three different concentrates at nine kg “as is” each, to each
cow. Cows were on average 108±30 days post calving producing 22.0±2.0 kg milk/day. DM intake, body
weight, milk yield and milk composition parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were
compared statistically. The DM intake and body weight of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a
mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), although body weight changes differed
significantly (P<0.10), i.e. 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 and -6.0±3.2 kg respectively. The milk yield of cows receiving
TMR’s containing FBS, OS or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), milk yields
being 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 and 21.9±0.4 kg/cow/day respectively. Of the milk composition parameters, the milk
CP(%) of cows fed TMR’s containing FBS differed (P<0.05) from the cows fed the 50:50 mixture of FBS and
OS, as well as cows fed the OS, being 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 and 2.96±0.02% respectively. Results from this
study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OS in lactating dairy cow diets.
The South African database on in situ protein and fiber degradability values for whole crop faba beans and oats
is limited. The chemical composition of whole crop faba beans and oats constantly change as plants mature.
For optimal stage of ensiling and feed formulation it would be useful to have CP, NDF and ADF degradability
values available for whole crop faba beans and oats harvested at different growth stages. The objective of this
study was to determine the ruminal nutrient degradabilities of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats
(Avena sativa). Whole crop faba beans and oats were cut at weekly intervals from 75 to 159 days after planting.
Effective DM, CP, NDF and ADF degradability values of faba beans and oats harvested at 117, 131, 145 and
159 days after planting were determined by using the in situ nylon bag technique. Three non-lactating Holstein
cows fitted with ruminal fistulae were used. Plant material put into Dacron bags was incubated in the rumen for
4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF fractions of whole plant faba
beans and oats in four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) did not differ (P<0.05)
among cows. The degradability of different fractions for both roughages were affected (P<0.05) by growth stage
and incubation hours. DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance of whole crop faba beans and oats at 117 and 159
days after planting differed (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation time. The DM, CP, NDF
and ADF disappearance values were fitted to the non-linear model p = a + b (1- e-ct). The effective
degradabilities (P) could be calculated using a fractional outflow rate of k = 0.05. For whole crop faba beans,
parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) and parameter c (the rate at which b is degraded) all differed
v
significantly (P<0.05) between four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) of plant
maturity for CP, NDF and ADF. In oats, parameter b and parameter c did not differ (P>0.05) between the four
different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) of plant maturity.
Results from this study could make a valuable contribution towards the South African databases on faba bean
and oats nutrient values and can be used in dynamic feed formulation. Faba beans cut as fresh crop or silage
may in the foreseeable future play an increasingly larger role in the feeding of dairy cattle in the Winter Rainfall
Region of South Africa. As in the case of lupin silage, though with much higher protein content, farmers will be
able to produce their own quality and high protein roughage. The nutritive properties of faba bean silage holds
great promise as a forage in lactating dairy cows. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die droëmateriaal (DM) produksie en chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone (Vicia faba) en hawer
(Avena sativa) is bepaal deur vars plantmateriaal op ‘n weeklikse basis te sny. Plantmonsters van beide
fababoon en hawerplante is gesny vanaf 75 tot 166 dae na plant op ‘n hoogte van ca. 10 cm bo die grond.
Plantmonsters is weekliks gesny op vyf ewekansige persele met ‘n oppervlak van 0.25 m² elk. Die vars gesnyde
plantmateriaal is geweeg en daarna ge-oonddroog om die DM inhoud van elke monster te bepaal. Die
varsmateriaal en DM opbrengs per hektaar is bereken. Die ruproteïen (RP), ruvesel (RV), neutraal bestande
vesel (NBV), suur bestande vesel (SBV), stikstof vrye ekstrak (NVE), eterekstrak (EE), kalsium (Ca) en fosfor (P)
inhoud is bepaal volgens standaardlaboratorium metodes. Lineêre regressie is gebruik om die verandering in
chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone en hawer te kwantifiseer. Vars en DM produksie van heelplant
fababone en hawer het toegeneem met toename in groeistadium. Gedurende die 2002 produksiejaar het
varsmateriaal opbrengs vir beide fababone en hawer gepiek op 131 dae (44.7±6.9 en 28.4±7.1 ton/ha
respektiewelik). Heelplant fababoon en hawer DM opbrengs het gepiek op 159 en 152 dae na plant op 9.4±1.3
en 8.8±0.7 ton DM/ha, respektiewelik. Die chemiese samestelling van beide gewasse het afgeneem met
toename in groeistadium. Die RP inhoud van heelplant fababone het verminder (P<0.05) van 25.3% op 82 dae
na plant tot 18.4% op 166 dae na plant vir die 2002 produksiejaar, terwyl gedurende die 2003 produksiejaar die
RP inhoud verminder (P<0.05) het vanaf 28.2 tot 19.5% vanaf 75 tot 159 dae na plant. Gedurende die 2002
produksiejaar het die ruvesel % van fababone toegeneem vanaf 20.2 tot 22.6%, terwyl gedurende die 2003
produksiejaar het die ruvesel toegeneem vanaf 21.8 tot 26.5%. Die ruvesel % vir heelplant hawer het vir die
2003 produksiejaar toegeneem vanaf 25.6 tot 36.9%. Vir dieselfde tyd, het EE, Ca en P inhoud ook verminder
(P<0.05), terwyl NBV, RV en SBV inhoud toegeneem (P<0.05) het.
Twee melkproduksiestudies is uitgevoer om die effek van fababoonkuilvoer op voerinname, melkopbrengs en
melksamestelling van Holsteinkoeie te bepaal. Fababoonkuilvoer (FBKV) is vergelyk met behulp van koeie
wat hawerhooi (HH) of hawerkuilvoer (HKV) en in ‘n 50:50 kombinasie met FBKV as ruvoere ontvang het.
Fababone (cv. Ascot) en hawer (cv. Sederberg) is gevestig op ‘n Glenrosa grond. Heelplant fababone is gesny
en ingekuil op 145 dae na plant. Gesnyde materiaal is toegelaat om vir ‘n dag te verlep, waarna dit in ‘n
bogrondse kuilvoersloot ingekuil is met behulp van ‘n kommersiële bakteriële entstof.
In die eerste eksperiment is volvoere met FBKV, HH en ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HH as ruvoer, saam
met ‘n konsentraat, gevoer aan drie groepe koeie wat bestaan het uit sewe Holsteinkoeie elk. Die eksperiment
is uitgevoer volgens ‘n ewekansige blokontwerp. Koeie was gemiddeld 112±44 dae in melk en het 24.0±6.2 kg
melk/dag geproduseer. Melkproduksie-veranderlikes van koeie wat diëte ontvang het met verskillende ruvoere
is met ‘n variansie-analise vergelyk. Die DM inname en melkopbrengs van koeie op volvoere bevattende
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FBKV, HH of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HH, het nie betekenisvol verskil (P>0.05) nie. Melkopbrengs was
18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 en 20.5±1.4 kg/koei/dag, respektiewelik. Met die uitsondering van melkureumstikstof
(MUN), het melksamestelling-veranderlikes nie betekenisvol (P>0.10) verskil tussen behandelings nie. Koeie
wat HH as ruvoer ontvang het, het ‘n hoër (P=0.06) MUN vlak in die melk gehad. Resultate van hierdie studie
dui daarop dat FBKV effektief HH in lakterende melkkoeidiëte kan vervang.
In die tweede eksperiment is volvoere, betsaande uit FBKV, hawerkuilvoer (HKV) of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van
FBKV en HKV as ruvoer, saam met ‘n konsentraat aan ses Holsteinkoeie gevoer volgens ‘n dubbel 3 x 3
Latynse Vierkant omskakel proefontwerp. Elke koei het 13 kg DM van FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van
FBKV en HKV ontvang as ruvoere, saam met drie verskillende konsentrate van 9 kg op ‘n natuurlike vogbasis
elk. Koeie was gemiddeld 108±30 dae in melk en het 22.0±2.0 kg melk/dag geproduseer. DM inname,
liggaamsmassa, melkopbrengs- en melksamestelling- veranderlikes van koeie op verskillende diëte wat
verskillende ruvoere ingesluit het, is statisties vergelyk. Die DM inname en liggaamsmassa van koeie op
volvoere bevattende FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV, het nie betekenisvol (P>0.10) verskil
nie. Verandering in liggaamsmassa het betekenisvol (P<0.10) verskil, te wete 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 en -6.0±3.2 kg,
respektiewelik. Die melkopbrengs van koeie op volvoere bevattende FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van
FBKV en HKV as ruvoer, het nie verskil (P>0.10) nie. Melkopbrengs was 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 en 21.9±0.4
kg/koei/dag, respektiewelik. Ten opsigte van die melksamestelling-veranderlikes van die koeie op die
onderskeie volvoere, was dit slegs melk RP(%) van koeie wat volvoere met FBKV ontvang het, wat
betekenisvol (P<0.05) verskil het van die koeie wat HKV en die 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer
ontvang het. Melk RP(%) was 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 en 2.96±0.02%, respektiewelik. Resultate van hierdie
studie dui daarop dat FBKV effektief HKV in lakterende melkkoei diëte kan vervang.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse databasis van in situ proteïen- en veseldegradeerbaarheidswaardes vir heelplant fababone
en hawer is beperk. Die chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone en hawer verander gedurig soos plante
toeneem in ouderdom en groeistadium. Vir optimale stadium van inkuiling en voerformulering sou dit belangrik
wees om DM, RP, NBV en SBV degradeerbaarheidswaardes van heelplant fababone en hawer ge-oes op
verskillende groeistadiums te hê. Die doel van die studie was om die ruminale degradeerbaarheidswaardes vir
heelplant fababone en hawer te bepaal. Effektiewe DM, RP, NBV en SBV degradeerbaarheidswaardes is vir
fababone en hawer bepaal vir groeistadiums 117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant deur gebruik te maak van die in
situ nylon sakkie tegniek. Drie nie-lakterende Holsteinkoeie elk toegerus met ‘n rumen- kannula is gebruik om
ruminale degradeerbaarheidswaardes te bepaal. Plantmateriaal wat in Dacron sakkies afgeweeg is, is in die
rumen geplaas vir 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 en 96 ure. Die degradeerbaarheid van DM, RP, NBV en SBV fraksies van
heelplant fababone en hawer vir vier verskillende groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant) het nie
betekenisvol (P<0.05) tussen koeie verskil nie. Die degradeerbaarheid van verskillende fraksies van beide
ruvoere het verskil (P<0.05) tussen groeistadiums en inkubasie-ure. DM, RP, NBV en SBV verdwyning van
heelplant fababone en hawer op 117 en 159 dae na plant het betekenisvol (P<0.05) verskil by 4, 8, 12, 24, 48,
72 en 96 inkubasie-ure. Die DM, RP, NBV en SBV verdwyningswaardes is gepas op ‘n nie-lineêre model p = a
+ b (1- e-ct). Die effektiewe degradeerbaarheid (P) kon bereken word met ‘n fraksionele uitvloeitempo van k =
viii
0.05 vanuit die rumen. Vir heelplant fababone het parameter b (potensieel degradeerbare fraksie) en parameter
c (die tempo waarteen b degradeer word) betekenisvol verskil (P<0.05) vir alle groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 en
159 dae na plant) vir degradeerbaarheidswaardes van RP, NBV en SBV. Vir hawer het parameter b en
parameter c nie betekenisvol (P>0.05) tussen die vier verskillende groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 and 159 dae na
plant) verskil nie.
Die resultate van hierdie studie kan ‘n belangrike bydrae maak tot die Suid-Afrikaanse databasis van fababoon
en hawer voedingswaardes, en kan aangewend word in dinamiese voerformulering. Die gebruik van
varsgesnyde of ingekuilde heeplant fababone kan in die toekoms ‘n al groter rol speel in melkkoeivoeding in die
Winterreënstreek van Suid-Afrika. Soos in die geval met lupiene, maar met ‘n hoër proteïen inhoud, sal
produsente hul eie kwaliteit en hoë proteïen ruvoer kan verbou. Die voedingswaarde van fababoonkuilvoer hou
groot belofte in as ruvoer vir lakterende melkkoeie.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/4051
Date03 1900
CreatorsLouw, Antony William
ContributorsCruywagen, C. W., Muller, C. J. C., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Animal Sciences.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format85 p. :ill.
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch, Dissertations -- Animal sciences, Theses -- Animal sciences

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