Use of a Silage Inoculant to Improve Feeding Stability and Intake of a Corn Silage-Grain Diet

Abstract

Twenty-four Holstein cows were divided into two groups blocked for age and milk yield. An 8-wk lactation study was conducted from June 22 through August 16, 1986. Corn silage was fed ad libitum and grain restricted to 1 kg/3 kg milk. One group of cows was fed silage that had been treated at ensiling (1 × 105 cfu of Lactobacillus plantarum/g silage). Equal depths of silage (7.6 cm) were removed daily from silos containing control and treated silages. Silages were stored in carts (1 h) prior to feeding. Temperature of the control silage averaged 4°C higher than treated silage at feeding. During warm weather, intake was less and temperature of orts was higher for cows fed control silage compared to those fed treated silage. Cows fed the treated silage tended to perform better than those fed control silage (increases of .7 kg milk, 45 g protein, 50 g fat/d). Utilizing a silage inoculant was beneficial. Temperature of the treated silage was less at feeding and 96 h postaeration and intake greater when warm weather conditions occurred.