Effects of ensilage of grass on performance and nutrient utilization by dairy cattle 2. Nutrient metabolism and rumen fermentation
- 1 June 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Animal Science
- Vol. 60 (3), 347-359
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s1357729800013229
Abstract
A study was carried out to examine the effects of ensiling and pattern of silage fermentation on nitrogen and energy utilization, rumen fermentation and rumen degradation characteristics of forage by lactating dairy cows. Six nonfistulated dairy cows and three rumen fistulated dairy cows were offered fresh grass (G) or grass silage produced from the same sward which had undergone either an extensive (E) or restricted (R) fermentation. Animals offered extensively fermented silage had liigher urinary nitrogen (N) outputs (expressed as a proportion of N intake) than those offered fresh grass (P < 0·05). Corresponding values for animals offered restricted fermented silage were intermediate between those offered grass and extensively fermented silage. Animals offered fresh grass and restricted fermented silage also had higher methane energy losses (P < 0·05), than those offered extensively fermented silage. The ensiling of grass had little effect on metabolizable energy (ME) intake or on the efficiency of utilization of ME for lactation (k1). Animals offered extensively fermented silage had higher proportions of propionate and lower proportions of acetate than those offered fresh grass or restricted fermented silage (P < 0·001). Ensiling resulted in an increase in the soluble (a) fraction and a reduction in the potentially degradable (b) fraction of N.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effect of forage digestibility and type of concentrate on nutrient utilization by lactating dairy cattleJournal of Dairy Research, 1995
- The effects of ensiling on the intake of herbage and milk production by lactating dairy cowsProceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972), 1993
- Sugars versus starch as supplements to grass silage: Effects on ruminal fermentation and the supply of microbial protein to the small intestine, estimated from the urinary excretion of purine derivatives, in sheepJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 1993
- Influence of stage of maturity of grass silages on digestion processes in dairy cows. 1. Composition, nylon bag degradation rates, fermentation characteristics, digestibility and intakeLivestock Production Science, 1992
- A further study on the evaluation through lactating cattle of a bacterial inoculant as an additive for grass silageGrass and Forage Science, 1989
- The effects of intraruminal infusions of sucrose and xylose on nitrogen and fibre digestion in the rumen and intestines of cattle receiving diets of grass silage and barleyAgricultural and Food Science, 1987
- Silage and dairy cow productionNew Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1979
- Length of Storage Period of Grass Silage as a Regulating Factor in the Utilization of Silage Nitrogen in RuminantsNihon Chikusan Gakkaiho, 1976
- Volatile fatty acids in the ruemen of sheep fed grass, unwilted and wilted silage, and barn-dried hayThe Journal of Agricultural Science, 1971
- LABORATORY METHODS OF PREDICTING FEEDING VALUE OF SILAGEGrass and Forage Science, 1971