An evaluation of an inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum as an additive for grass silage for dairy cattle

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Mayne

ABSTRACTHerbage from the first regrowth of perennial ryegrass based swards was direct-ensiled following treatment with either an inoculant of Lactobacillus plantarum (Ecosyl, Imperial Chemical Industries pic) at 3·0 1/t, formic acid (850 g/kg) at 2·9 1/t, or no additive (control). During harvesting, alternate loads of inoculant material were treated with an absorbent polymer (ammonium polyacrylamide) at the rate of 1 kg/t herbage and ensiled in separate 100-t capacity silos. The mean dry matter (DM) and water soluble carbohydrate concentrations of herbage used for the four treatments was 157 and 120 g/kg respectively. Lactic acid levels post ensiling increased more rapidly in inoculant-treated herbage than with the other treatments. Formic acid and inoculant-treated silages were well preserved whereas control and inoculant-plus-polymer silages were only moderately well preserved. Losses of DM during ensilage were greater with the formic acid treatment with DM recovery values of 0·78, 0·72, 0·76 and 0·73 for the control, formic acid, inoculant and inoculant-plus-polymer silages respectively. Treatment of herbage with an absorbent polymer prior to ensiling resulted in a proportional reduction in effluent volume of 0·2 whereas formic acid treatment increased effluent flow by 0·28. The silages were evaluated in a changeover design experiment with two periods each of 4 weeks duration, using 24 British Friesian dairy cows. Animals were housed in individual stalls and in addition to the treatment silages, received 5 kg/day of supplement containing 193 g crude protein per kg DM. Silage intakes were increased by proportionately 0·10, 0·14 and 0·05 respectively with the formic acid, inoculant and inoculant-plus-polymer treatments compared with the control. The increased silage intakes with the inoculant treatment were reflected in an increased milk yield of 1·1 kg milk per day whereas formic acid and inoculant-plus-polymer treatments had no significant effect, although formic acid treatment did result in a significant increase in milk fat concentration. There were no major differences between treatments in energy or nitrogen digestibility, when determined on a complete ration basis. In conclusion, a large milk yield response was obtained as a result of treatment of herbage with inoculant prior to ensiling and this resulted from increased silage and hence energy intake. Treatment with formic acid increased silage and energy intake but had no effect on milk energy output.

1970 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon ◽  
T. J. Forbes

SummaryEight lactating cows were used in a Latin square experiment, to study the associative effects of level of energy and protein intake on milk yield and composition. Four diets were used, supplying 80 and 120% of estimated energy requirements and 80 and 120% of estimated protein requirements. The level of energy intake significantly affected milk yield, milk energy output, percentage butterfat, ash and non-protein nitrogen. The level of protein intake only significantly affected milk energy output and the non-protein nitrogen content of the milk. Although only the interaction of the effects of energy and protein intake on the milk content of solidsnot-fat (SNF) and ash was significant, it was evident that the effect of each of these factors on milk yield or composition was related to the level of the other in the diet.Input-output relationships within each protein level were used to compute the response in milk energy output and bodyweight change to a change in energy intake. These showed a greater partitioning of additional energy toward milk energy output with the high than with the low protein level. Multiple regression analysis within each level of protein intake was used to partition energy intake between that used for maintenance, milk energy output and liveweight change. The results showed efficiencies of utilization of metabolizable energy for milk output of 63 and 50% on the high- and low-protein diets, respectively.Nitrogen balance data are presented.


1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Smith ◽  
A. R. Henderson ◽  
J. D. Oldham ◽  
D. A. Whitaker ◽  
K. Aitchison ◽  
...  

AbstractThree silages were prepared from the primary growth of a predominantly perennial ryegrass sward (dry matter (DM) 175 g/kg; crude protein 142 g/kg DM; water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) 243 g/kg DM). Herbage was wilted for 24 h and then treated with either an inoculant/enzyme preparation (Lactobacillus plantarum, Streptococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidilactici), formic acid applied at 4·2 lit (Add F, BP Chemicals) or no additive. Time series analysis of laboratory silages revealed that different patterns of fermentation had been achieved: formic acid treatment resulted in high levels of residual WSC and low levels of lactic acid, indicative of an inhibited fermentation, whilst treatment with the inoculant/enzyme preparation resulted in high levels of lactic acid with a low level of residual sugars, as expected with an enhanced fermentation. Analysis of the material ‘as fed’ showed that losses in the WSC content of the formic acid-treated silage had occurred in the clamp. Secondary fermentation of lactic to acetic acid was apparent in the untreated silage, but not in the inoculant/enzyme-treated silage. Digestibility, as determined using Greyface wether lambs, was marginally higher for both additive treatments when compared with the untreated silage. An evaluation of the silages for milk production was carried out at three levels of concentrate supplementation using 18 Ayrshire × British Friesian cows in a replicated 3×3 Latin-square design experiment. Treatment with formic acid resulted in significantly higher DM intakes, but this was not reflected in milk energy output. Cows offered the inoculant/enzyme-treated silage partitioned energy away from milk production toward body tissue deposition (average milk yields 19·9, 19·9 and 15·2 kg/day, and weight gain 0·26, 0·38 and 0·81 kg/day for the untreated, formic acid and inoculant/enzyme-treated silages respectively). The reason for this is not clear, but it is postulated that microbial capture of degraded nitrogen may have been impaired with the inoculant/enzyme-treated silage, resulting in an imbalance in metabolizable protein: metabolizable energy.


Author(s):  
Rosemary Mansbridge

It has been reported (Castlejon and Leaver 1990, Hill and Leaver 1991) that when offered as the sole forage intakes of urea treated whole crop cereals (UWCC) were high. However energy output in milk and liveweight change was less than expected from calculations of energy intake.The level of crude protein (CP) in UWCC is high, typically in the range 200-300 g CP/kg DM. It has been suggested that a non-synchronous supply of available energy and rapidly available nitrogen to the rumen microorganisms was responsible for the low efficiency of utilization reported.The work described here was carried out to determine whether the utilization of diets containing UWCC could be improved by increasing the supply of readily available carbohydrates to the rumen micro-organisms.


1971 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon ◽  
T. J. Forbes

SummaryThirty-six lactating cows were used in a 3×2 factorial design experiment to study the effects of level of energy and fibre intake on milk yield and composition over an 8-week experimental period. Three levels of fibre intake — 1g of crude fibre per 25, 17·5 and 10 kcal of estimated metabolizable energy (ME) requirements — were given in diets supplying both 80 and 100% of energy requirements. The level of energy intake significantly affected milk yield, milk energy output and the percentage solids-not-fat (SNF) and protein in the milk. The effects of fibre intake on both milk yield and milk energy output were marked but not significant. Fibre intake had a significant curvilinear effect on both the SNF and protein in the milk with the highest fibre intake resulting in a significant decrease in both fractions. A significant linear decrease was obtained in the lactose fraction as the fibre intake increased.The total volatile fatty acid (VFA) level in the rumen was significantly affected by both energy and fibre intake. The level of energy intake only significantly affected the proportion of propionic acid. Fibre intake significantly affected the proportion of both acetic and butyric acids resulting in mean proportions of acetic acid of 66, 70 and 72 at the low, medium and high fibre intakes. The correlations between the rumen acids and lactation efficiencies are also presented.Multiple regression analysis within each fibre level has been used to partition the ME available for production between that used for milk energy output and liveweight change. The results showed efficiencies of utilization of ME for milk output of 66, 65 and 56 on the low, medium and high fibre diets respectively.Nitrogen balance data are presented.


Author(s):  
Ni Nyoman Suryani ◽  
I Wayan Suarna ◽  
Ni Putu Sarini ◽  
I Gede Mahardika

To determine the effect of energy levels on digestible nutrient, milk production and milk quality of 7 months pregnant Bali cattle, was the purpose of this study. The study was conducted in Bali, Province of Indonesia on 12 pregnant breeding phase of pre-calving (2 months before the birth) with the parent body weight 329-340 kg/head. The treatment given is four types of Metabolizable Energy (ME) levels: 2000, 2100, 2200 and 2300/kg respectively as treatment A, B, C, and D. All ration contain 10% of crude protein. Variables measured: energy intake, digestible nutrient, milk yield, and milk quality. This research is a randomized block design. The results showed that increase energy ration until 2300 kcal ME/kg would significantly (P<0.05) increase energy intake and highest at cattle consumed ratio D is 22239.55 kcal/day. However, digestible nutrient was not affected. Milk production increased with increasing energy rations and highest (P<0.05) at cattle received treatment D is 2179.83 ml/day compared to treatment A 936.67 ml/day. Milk fat and milk lactose also highest (P<0.05) in treatment D are 8.56% and 4.76% respectively. Based on these results, it can be concluded that increase energy ration will increase energy intake, milk yield and milk fat and milk lactose of Bali cattle. 


Apidologie ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenia STEUBE ◽  
Patricia BEINERT ◽  
Wolfgang H. KIRCHNER

AbstractThe ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is considered one of the main threats to the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Efficient pest management is crucial, and the evaporation of formic acid (FA) is an active principle that could be adopted. However, the usage of FA has an extreme variable efficacy depending on several conditions, ambient temperature among them. Cooler conditions, as they usually occur in Central Europe in late summer and autumn, can negatively affect treatment success. Our study aims to evaluate factors that influence the efficacy of different FA treatments. Over a period of 8 years, we investigated the effect of ambient temperature, hive size and dispenser type on the treatment success with 60% and 85% FA and consolidated those factors in a linear regression model. Treatment with 60% FA shows higher variability, and often lowered efficacy, especially in double brood chamber hives. In contrast, 85% FA treatment achieves higher efficacy and lower variability and shows significantly diminished dependence on ambient temperature.


1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Grenet

SUMMARYThe digestibility, the voluntary intake and the nitrogen balance of 108 diets corresponding to 94 silages prepared from 20 fresh crops were measured in growing sheep. Series of silages were made from the same fresh forage. Each series included two controls: a direct-cut silage without additive and a direct-cut silage with formic acid, with a variable number of experimental silages with different additives.Rumen ammonia concentration, measured on rumen-fistulated sheep, decreased when an additive was used. It increased with nitrogen intake and was inversely related to the organic-matter digestibility and the crude-fibre digestibility. It varied with the silage composition.The crude-protein digestibility of direct-cut silages without additives was similar to or slightly higher than the crude-protein digestibility of the fresh crops. The addition of formic acid depressed the digestibility, but the addition of formaldehyde decreased it even more. The urinary nitrogen loss was higher for silages without additive than for the fresh crops and was decreased by the addition of formic acid. The addition of formaldehyde to formic acid had an additive effect.Retained nitrogen was lower in silages without additives (12% of nitrogen intake) than in parent crops (15·7%). It increased when formic acid (15·8%) was added. The addition of formaldehyde at a low rate (1·5 l/t green fodder) to the formic acid did not increase the nitrogen retention whether expressed in g/day or as percentage of nitrogen intake, but the addition of formaldehyde at a high rate (3·5 l/t green fodder) to formic acid decreased nitrogen retention. The other additives based on cereals or whey did not improve the nitrogen balance compared with formic acid. Nitrogen retention differed according to plant species.Retained nitrogen increased with digestible organic-matter intake and nitrogen intake. It increased with the silage water-soluble carbohydrate content. The higher the silage fermentation product content (ammonia, lactic acid, propionic acid), the lower the retained nitrogen. It appears that the nitrogen value of silages can be high provided that the silages are well preserved and that excessive protein breakdown is avoided.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. S140-S140
Author(s):  
Masahiro Koge ◽  
Ikuo Tooyama ◽  
Naoko Kameshima ◽  
Takaomi Fukuhara ◽  
Toshifumi Nanjo
Keyword(s):  

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