Digestibility, metabolic utilisation and effects on growth and slaughter traits of diets containing whole plant maize silage in heavy pigs

Whole crop maize (Zea mays) was chopped at 3 lengths before ensiling; the maize was harvested with a precision chop harvester with screen apertures of either 9 cm2 (fine chopped maize), 36 cm2 (medium chopped maize), or no screen at all (coarse chopped maize). The 3 silages were each fed as a supplement to pasture to lactating dairy cows in 2 experiments. Although some of the variables measured to assess silage quality suggested that the preservation process may have deteriorated as length of chop increased, length of chop of maize generally appeared to have little effect on silage quality or milk production. In experiment 1, cows ate about 7 kg DM of pasture and 8-9 kg DM of maize silage per day. Mean daily milk yields for the cows offered fine, medium and coarse chopped silage were 18.0, 17.7 and 18.2 kg/cow, respectively. In experiment 2, where daily intakes of each maize silage covered the range of 0-10.7 kg DM/cow, regression analysis could not detect any differences in milk responses between chop lengths. We concluded that aspects other than nutritional considerations should determine the length of chop that farmers aim for when making maize silage; these include ease of compaction in the bunker to ensure the production of good quality silage, and fuel consumption during harvesting.

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New Approach for Calibration Transfer from a Local Database to a Global Database

Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

10.1255/jnirs.121 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 55-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pierre Dardenne ◽

Roland Welle

Keyword(s):

Sample Selection ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Calibration Transfer ◽

Mahalanobis Distances ◽

New Approach ◽

Global Database ◽

Local Database ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Predicted Values ◽

New Equation

The goal of the experiment is to transfer a local model to a global model for the prediction of a new parameter. Station de Haute Belgique (SHB) has developed an extensive spectral database to determine 10 parameters of whole plant maize silage samples. Pioneer has determined the Tilley and Terry digestibility (T&T) on a smaller set of samples. The analysis of the Mahalanobis distances between the two sets shows that Pioneer's set has a much smaller variation than SHB's set. Pioneer's set can be predicted by SHB's calibrations, but SHB's database cannot be predicted by Pioneer's calibration. The 10 parameters predicted on Pioneer's set are used to estimate the Tilley and Terry digestibility coefficient through a PLS model. The same model is then used to predict T&T on the large SHB set. The later predicted values are reported as references on SHB's set and a global T&T equation is developed after an adequate sample selection. The procedure shows that the new equation, applied on independent sets, is more accurate and more robust than the local one.

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Effect of Different Regions and Ensiling Periods on Fermentation Quality and the Bacterial Community of Whole-Plant Maize Silage

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.743695 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yuan Huang ◽

Longfei Liang ◽

Sheng Dai ◽

Changrong Wu ◽

Chao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acetic Acid ◽

Bacterial Community ◽

Southern China ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Raw Material ◽

Material Surface ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Humid Climate ◽

Fermentation Time ◽

Whole Plant

This study aimed to explore the changes in the microbial community on the silage material surface and during the ensiling process of whole-plant maize in different regions. Whole-plant maize silages were sampled in Ziyun, Guanling, and Weinning counties within warm and humid climate areas in southern China. Silages were sampled at 0, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 45 days during ensiling. The nutritional components, fermentation properties, and microbiomes were examined to evaluate the influence of sampling area and fermentation time on the quality of silage. The results showed that the pH values of all silages significantly decreased (<4.2 at ensiling day 2) during fermentation and all silages achieved satisfactory fermentation at 45 days. Butyric acid was not detected during ensiling, and the contents of acetic acid and ammonia nitrogen in the final silages were below 6 g/kg DM and 50 g/kg total nitrogen, respectively. Weissella was the dominant epiphytic bacteria of raw material in Ziyun and Weinning, while Lactobacillus was prevalent in Guanling. Lactobacillus dominated the ensiling process, and its abundance significantly increased with increasing fermentation time in the three groups. Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with pH of all silages (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with lactic acid, propionic acid and acetic acid (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the bacterial community was significantly correlated with environmental factors. Altitude had a highly positive correlation with the abundance of Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Massilia (p < 0.01), while precipitation was negatively correlated with these bacteria. The humidity and average temperature significantly influenced the Lactobacillus and Weissella abundances of fresh whole-plant maize. During the ensiling process, the silages from three regions had similar bacterial dynamic changes, and the Lactobacillus formed and maintained good fermentation characteristics in whole-plant maize silage.

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Effect of Forage Processor Roll Gap Width and Storage Length on Fermentation Profile, Nutrient Composition, Kernel Processing Score, and Starch Disappearance of Whole-Plant Maize Silage Harvested at Three Different Maturities

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11070574 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 574

Author(s):

Benjamin A. Saylor ◽

Cody L. McCary ◽

E. Cole Diepersloot ◽

Celso Heinzen ◽

Matheus R. Pupo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Storage Period ◽

Nutrient Composition ◽

Prolonged Storage ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Late Maturity ◽

Roll Gap ◽

And Storage ◽

Gap Width

Our objective was to assess the effect of forage processor roll gap width and storage length on fermentation, nutrient composition, kernel processing score (KPS), and ruminal in situ starch disappearance (isSD) of whole-plant maize silage harvested at different maturities. Samples from a single maize silage hybrid at three harvest maturities (1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 kernel milk line (early, intermediate, and late, respectively)) processed with two roll gap widths (1 and 3 mm) were collected and stored in quadruplicate vacuum pouches for 0, 30, 120, or 240 d. Lactic acid concentrations were greater, and pH was reduced in early and intermediate maturity silage compared to late maturity silage. Ruminal isSD was greatest for early maturity silage, intermediate for the intermediate maturity silage, and lowest for the late maturity silage, but differences in isSD due to maturity were diminished after prolonged storage. Kernel processing score was greatest in late maturity silage processed through a 1 mm roll gap and lowest in late maturity silage processed through the 3 mm roll gap. For early and intermediate maturity silages, no differences in KPS were observed between the two roll gap widths. Minimal effects of maturity and roll gap width on fatty acids (FA) and amino acids (AA) were observed. Concentrations of total AA decreased as storage length progressed. Results support the premise that the silo is a dynamic system that undergoes numerous chemical changes throughout the storage period.

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Effect of hybrid, inoculant and storage time on whole plant nitrogen compounds and grain total zein content in maize silage

Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences ◽

10.22358/jafs/65578/2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 174-178

Author(s):

M. Duvnjak ◽

K. Kljak ◽

D. Grbeša

Keyword(s):

Storage Time ◽

Nitrogen Compounds ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Plant Nitrogen ◽

Whole Plant ◽

And Storage

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Nutritive value of brewers’ grain and maize silage for fattening rabbits

World Rabbit Science ◽

10.4995/wrs.2016.4353 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 183

Author(s):

H. Guermah ◽

L. Maertens ◽

M. Berchiche

Keyword(s):

Nutritive Value ◽

Energy Content ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Basal Diet ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Crude Fibre ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Feeding Value ◽

Inclusion Level ◽

By Products

<p>Specific knowledge of the nutritive value of raw materials is fundamental to formulate balanced diets for rabbits and allows greater use of by-products and non-conventional feedstuffs. This paper examines the feeding value of sun-dried brewers’ grain and maize silage (whole plant) for fattening rabbits. Twenty-four individually caged 8-wk-old rabbits were used to determine the digestibility. Both wet products were sun-dried and ground before being incorporated into a basal diet. The inclusion level at the expense of all basal ingredients amounted to 30%. Basal diet and both experimental diets were fed ad libitum to 8 rabbits during the 4-d balance trial. The determined digestibility of protein, fat, crude fibre and neutral detergent fibre digestibility amounted to 76.2 and 77.2%; 86.5 and 99.1%; 8.1 and 8.3% and 28.0 and 13.5%, respectively, for brewers’ grain and maize silage. The digestible energy content amounted to 11.66 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) (brewers’ grain) and 11.10 MJ/kg DM (maize silage). Both by-products have potential as alternative feedstuff in rabbit diets. However, further experiments are necessary to determine the effect of ensilaging the whole maize plant, as a significantly lower (P<0.001) feed intake was observed.</p>

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Evaluation of zearalenone, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalenone 4-sulfate and β-zearalenol 4-glucoside levels during the ensiling process.

World Mycotoxin Journal ◽

10.3920/wmj2013.1638 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 291-295 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M.L. González Pereyra ◽

M. Sulyok ◽

V. Baralla ◽

A.M. Dalcero ◽

R. Krska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Fusarium Species ◽

Physical Analysis ◽

Tandem Mass ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass

Zearalenone-producing Fusarium species can contaminate maize before ensiling and cause reproductive problems in animals. Suspect feeds are only routinely analysed for zearalenone (ZEA), not considering other oestrogenic metabolites or masked derivatives. The aims of the present study were to monitor the levels of ZEA, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), β-zearalenol (β-ZOL), zearalenone-4-sulfate (ZEA-4S) and β-zearalenol-4-glucoside (β-ZOL-4G) in artificially contaminated maize silage and determine the effect of the ensiling process on these toxins. A laboratory silo model was designed using polystyrene bags filled with previously contaminated chopped whole-plant maize, stored in a dry and cool room and sampled at days 7, 45, 90, 120 and 127. ZEA, α-ZOL, β-ZOL, ZEA-4S and β-ZOL-4G levels were quantified by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry. Chemical and physical analysis indicated silage maintained good quality in all stages. pH was reduced favourably (P<0.05) from 4.69 to 3.80 during the preservation stage. Dry matter, moisture content and water activity did not vary from day 7 to 127. ZEA, α-ZOL, β-ZOL and ZEA-4S levels also did not change from day 7 to 127, indicating no significant degradation by the ensiling process or silage-native microbiota. This study suggests that ZEA levels remain invariable during the ensiling process, as well as the levels of its derivatives. The presence of highly oestrogenic metabolites, like α-ZOL and the masked ZEA-4S, which are not screened in the routine analyses, increases the overall toxicity of ZEA-contaminated silage.

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Effects of Plant Population and Fertilizer Nitrogen on Growth and Components of Yield of Maize Grown for Silage in Nigeria

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479700005329 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 251-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R. J. Haggar ◽

D. C. Couper

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Plant Population ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Area Index ◽

Crop Growth Rate ◽

Plant Yield ◽

Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽

Whole Plant

SUMMARYWeekly measurements in a maize silage crop grown at three populations, each at three levels of nitrogen, showed that leaf area index, crop growth rate and total whole plant yield were greatest at the highest plant population (430,000/ha.) and lowest at the low population (47,000/ha.). At the former maximum yields of dry matter and crude protein occurred approximately seventy-five days from sowing, when the cob contribution was small. With wider spacing maximum yields occurred later. At the intermediate population (107,000/ha.), and with adequate nitrogen, sowing on the square was superior to sowing in wide rows. Nitrogen did not preferentially affect the relative dry matter yield of any growth component; plant population had a greater influence on total whole plant yield than nitrogen.

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Episodic whole plant growth patterns in Ligustrum

Physiologia Plantarum ◽

10.1034/j.1399-3054.1993.890106.x ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 33-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jeff S. Kuehny ◽

Mary C. Halbrooks

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Growth Patterns ◽

Whole Plant

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