Climate impacts on long-term silage maize yield in Germany.

In this study, we examine the impacts of climate change on variations in the long-term mean silage maize yield using a statistical crop model at the county level in Germany. The explanatory variables, which consider sub-seasonal effects, are soil moisture anomalies for June and August and precipitation and temperature for July. Climate projections from five regional climate models (RCMs) are used to simulate soil moisture with the mesoscale Hydrologic Model and force the statistical crop model. The results indicate an average yield reduction of -120 to -1050 (kilogram/hectare)/annum (kg ha-1 a-1) for the period 2021-2050 compared to the baseline period 1971-2000. The multi-model yield decreases between -370 and -3910 kg ha-1 a-1 until the end of the century (2070-2099). The maximum projected mean loss is less than 10% in magnitude of average yields in Germany in 1999-2015. The crop model shows a strong ability to project long-term mean yield changes but is not designed to capture inter-annual variations. Based on the RCM outcomes, July temperature and August soil moisture anomalies are the main factors for the projected yield anomalies. Furthermore, effects such as adaptation and CO2 fertilization are not included in our model. Accounting for these might lead to a slight overall increase in the future silage maize yield of Germany.

Effect of mixed maize-legume silages on milk quality and quantity from lactating smallholder dairy cows.

The study investigated the effect of the following maize:legume (70:30) mixed crop silages: maize:cowpea, maize:velvet bean, and maize:lablab on milk production during the 2016 dry season. Using a 5 × 5 double Latin square design, five Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows in early lactation (30 ± 15 days) and five Jersey crossbred cows in early lactation (25 ± 10 days) were given the supplementary mixed crop silage diets at 0.5 kg/l of milk produced over 105 days. Commercial dairy meal and sole maize silage were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Milk yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cows given the dairy meal compared to mixed crop silages; however, milk yield was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) for cows given the three mixed crop silages compared to cows given sole maize silage. Cows given mixed crop silages produced milk of significantly higher protein content (P < 0.05) than those given sole maize silage. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in butterfat content of milk across all the dietary treatments. The dietary cost of producing 1 l of milk was highest at 0.31USD/l for cows given commercial dairy meal and lowest for cows given maize:velvet bean and maize:cowpea silage at 0.19USD/kg. The highest dietary gross margins of 68% were observed when cows were given maize:velvet mixed silage compared to commercial dairy meal (47%) and sole maize silage (57%). The 70:30 maize:legume mixed crop silages showed the capability to increase milk quantity and quality at very low production costs in smallholder dairy schemes.

Dairy cows fed on tropical legume forages: effects on milk yield, nutrients use efficiency and profitability.

Two trials with multiparous dairy cows were conducted. Experiment 1 tested the effects of increasing forage proportion in the diet (500, 600, and 700 g/kg DM) when a mixed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and jackbean (Cannavalia ensiformis) silage was used as forage. Experiment 2 studied the substitution of sorghum silage and soybean meal by jackbean silage or fresh cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) forage in the diet. All diets were iso-energetic and iso-proteic. In each experiment, 30 cows were used and separated into three groups. In experiment 1, there were no differences in dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), or apparent total tract digestibility (aTTd) among the three diets, but milk fat content increased with increasing forage proportion, even though the similar neutral detergent fiber of all diets. Nitrogen use efficiency was highest in the diet containing 600 g forage/kg DM, and some evidence was observed for a better profitability with this forage proportion. In experiment 2, feeding legumes increased DMI despite no effects on aTTd. Milk yield increased in line with DMI, with a larger increase for the fresh cowpea. Nitrogen use efficiency and milk composition were not affected by the diets. The increased MY and lower feed costs increased the economic benefits when feeding legumes, particularly when feeding fresh cowpea. Feeding fresh cowpea or jackbean silage to dairy cows appears to be an alternative to soybean as protein source, ideally at a forage proportions of 600 g/kg DM, without altering milk yield and quality and increasing the farm profitability.

Características de silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum) e casca de maracujá in natura / Characteristics of Pennisetum purpureum and passion-fruit-peel silages

Objetivou-se avaliar as características sensoriais, as perdas totais, o padrão fermentativo e a composição bromatológica de silagens contendo combinações de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum) com diferentes tempos de emurchecimento e casca de maracujá in natura (CM). Os tratamentos experimentais foram compostos por silagens confeccionadas com 100% de capim-elefante (CE); 100% de casca de maracujá; 75% CE/25% CM; 50%/CE 50% CM; 25% CE/75% CM, para cada tempo de emurchecimento do capim (zero; quatro; seis e oito horas), com três repetições. As silagens apresentaram coloração amarelada, odor levemente acre, exalando maracujá nos tratamentos contendo CM. Observou-se um aumento da perda total das silagens contendo casca de maracujá (0,09; 0,15; 1,01; 1,77 e 2,52kg de perdas para os tratamentos 100% CE; 75% CE/25% CM; 50% CE/50% CM; 25% CE/75% CM e 100% CM, respectivamente). O pH e o N-NH3 variaram de 3.58 a 4.63 e de 8.11 a 12.13, respectivamente. Tratamentos com CM reduziram os teores de MS, FDN e carboidratos totais e elevaram as concentrações de PB, NIDA, NIDN e carboidratos não fibrosos das silagens avaliadas. Mesmo com baixos níveis de MS, os tratamentos proporcionaram silagens de boa qualidade.(AU)

This study aimed at evaluating sensorial characteristics, total waste, fermentative profile, and chemical composition of Pennisetum purpureum (PP) and passion-fruit-peel (PFP) silages. Four PP dehydration times (0,4,6 and 8 hours) and five combinations of ingredients (100% PP; 100% PFP; 75% PP/25% PFP; 50% PP/50% PFP; 25% PP/75% PFP) were evaluated. The silages presented a yellowish color, a slightly acrid odor, and exhaled passion fruit scent in the treatments containing PFP. There was an increase in total waste of silages containing passion fruit peel (0.09, 0.15, 1.01, 1.77 and 2.52kg of waste for treatments 100% PP, 75% PP/25% PFP, 50% PP/50% PFP, 25% CE/75% CM and 100% CM, respectively). The pH and N-NH3 values ranged from 3.58 to 4.63 and 8.11 to 12.13, respectively. Mixtures containing PFP decreased the levels of DM and NDF and increased the levels of CP, NFC, ADIN and NDIN in the silages. Despite the reduced levels of DM, all treatments provided a good silage.(AU)

Qualidade da carne de ovinos terminados em confinamento com dietas com silagens de diferentes cultivares de sorgo / Meat quality of finishing feedlot lambs fed diets of assorted sorghum cultivars

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência de dietas contendo silagem de diferentes cultivares de sorgo sobre as características físicas e químicas na carne de ovinos sem padrão racial definido, com idade entre cinco e sete meses e peso vivo médio de 17,7±3,7kg, alimentados com dietas contendo silagem de diferentes cultivares de sorgo. O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental Pendência, pertencente à Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária - Emepa, tendo um período experimental de 42 dias. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (silagem de sorgo BRS 610, BRS 655, BRS 800, BRS 810 e Ponta Negra) e sete repetições. Ao atingirem o peso de abate de 26,24kg, os animais foram encaminhados ao abate. Procedeu-se à análise do pH, da cor, da perda de peso por cocção, da força de cisalhamento, bem como à determinação de umidade, proteínas, cinzas e lipídeos totais no músculo Longissimus dorsi. As dietas não influenciaram os parâmetros de pH (5,64), cor (L*23,13, a* 18,00, b*15,78), perdas de peso por cocção (34,43%), umidade (72,53%), proteína (24,08%), cinzas (1,09%) e lipídeos (2,99%). A força de cisalhamento diferiu entre as dietas, com a silagem do cultivar BRS 655 propiciando uma carne mais macia (2,10kgf/cm2). As silagens de sorgo utilizadas na confecção das dietas de cordeiros em confinamento não interferem nas características de qualidade da carne de ovinos sem padrão racial definido. Dietas contendo silagem de sorgo granífero BRS 655 proporcionaram uma carne mais macia.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of diets containing silage of different sorghum cultivars on the physical and chemical characteristics in the meat of lambs. Thirty five animals of undefined breed with average age between 5 and 7 months and average body weight of 17. 7±3.7kg were used. The lambs were randomly assigned to five treatments (sorghum silage BRS 610, BRS 655, BRS 800, BRS 810 e Ponta Negra) with seven replicates. When they reach 26.24kg of weight, the animals were sent to be slaughtered. Proceeded to the analysis of pH, color, cooking losses, shear force, determination of humidity, protein, ash and total amount of lipids in the Longissimus dorsi. The diets did not influence the parameters of pH (5.64), color (L*23.13, a* 18.00, b*15.78), cooking losses (34.43%), humidity (72.53%), protein (24.08%), ash (1.09%) or lipids (2.99%). The shear force differed among the diets, with the silage of cultivar BRS 655 providing a tender meat (2.10kgf/cm2). The sorghum silages used in in the diets did not interfere in the meat quality characteristics of feedlot lambs. Diets containing sorghum grain silage BRS 655 provided a tender meat.(AU)

Between-cow variation in digestion and rumen fermentation variables associated with methane production.

A meta-analysis based on an individual-cow data set was conducted to investigate the effects of between-cow variation and related animal variables on predicted CH4 emissions from dairy cows. Data were taken from 40 change-over studies consisting of a total of 637 cow/period observations. Animal production and rumen fermentation characteristics were measured for 154 diets in 40 studies; diet digestibility was measured for 135 diets in 34 studies, and ruminal digestion kinetics was measured for 56 diets in 15 studies. The experimental diets were based on grass silage, with cereal grains or by-products as energy supplements, and soybean or canola meal as protein supplements. Average forage:concentrate ratio across all diets on a dry matter basis was 59:41. Methane production was predicted from apparently fermented substrate using stoichiometric principles. Data were analyzed by mixed-model regression using diet and period within experiment as random effects, thereby allowing the effect of experiment, diet, and period to be excluded. Dry matter intake and milk yield were more repeatable experimental measures than rumen fermentation, nutrient outflow, diet digestibility, or estimated CH4 yield. Between-cow coefficient of variation (CV) was 0.010 for stoichiometric CH4 per mol of volatile fatty acids and 0.067 for predicted CH4 yield (CH4/dry matter intake). Organic matter digestibility (OMD) also displayed little between-cow variation (CV = 0.013), indicating that between-cow variation in diet digestibility and rumen fermentation pattern do not markedly contribute to between cow-variation in CH4 yield. Digesta passage rate was much more variable (CV = 0.08) between cows than OMD or rumen fermentation pattern. Increased digesta passage rate is associated with improved energetic efficiency of microbial N synthesis, which partitions fermented substrate from volatile fatty acids and gases to microbial cells that are more reduced than fermented carbohydrates. Positive relationships were observed between CH4 per mol of volatile fatty acids versus OMD and rumen ammonia N concentration versus OMD; and negative relationships between the efficiency of microbial N synthesis versus OMD and digesta passage rate versus OMD, suggesting that the effects of these variables on CH4 yield were additive. It can be concluded that variations in OMD and efficiency in microbial N synthesis resulting from variations in digesta passage contribute more to between-animal variation in CH4 emissions than rumen fermentation pattern.

Deviation from the formulated target weight of ingredients loaded into high milk yield cow recipes on California dairies.

Nutrient composition of the feed and formulated ration often differ depending on uncertainties in DM content and nutrient composition of ingredients, as well as from feeder errors during loading. The objective of this study was to describe the deviation from target weight for the high-producing cow ration (HCR) and premix (HCP) on 26 California dairies ranging in size from 1,100 to 6,900 cows. Records from a consecutive 12-mo period were extracted from FeedWatch 7 (Valley Agricultural Software Inc., Tulare, CA), a feeding management software. Variables extracted and studied were date, recipe type, recipe number, ingredient, loading sequence, target weight, weight, and tolerance level (TL, deviation allowed per ingredient during loading). Based on the distribution of the deviation from target weight for the 8 most common ingredients, loading accuracy (quartile 1; small: |<10| kg; medium |10| to |20| kg; large |>20| kg), loading precision (interquartile range=quartile 3 to 1; small: <20kg; medium: 20 to 40kg; large >40kg), and extreme observations (quartile 3; small: |<25| kg; medium: |25| to |40| kg; large: |>40| kg) were described. Descriptive statistics were conducted with SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The median TL assigned to ingredients across dairies ranged from 0 to 90kg. At the ingredient level, the TL allowed a deviation from the median ingredient target weight of 0 to 2 (53.9%), >2 to 5 (25.5%), >5 to 10 (11.6%), or >10% (8.9%). A total of 2.5% of the loads did not reach the target weight set by the TL, ranging from 0.1 to 21.1% loads across dairies. Ingredient deviation from the formulated target weight across dairies was below target 49.1% of the time [<-10 (2.5%), -10 to <-5 (4.8%), -5 to <-2 (8.9%), -2 to <0% (32.8%)] or at or above target 50.9% of the time [0 (3.9%), >0 to 2 (36.7%), >2 to 5 (8.9%), >5 to 10 (1.2%), >10% (0.2%)]. Five dairies loaded ingredients with adequate accuracy (small to medium, quartile 1) and adequate precision (small to medium, interquartile range), but accuracy and precision were very poor on 3 dairies (large, quartile 1 and interquartile range). Rolled corn and almond hulls were loaded with adequate precision (small to medium, interquartile range) on a minimum of 64% of the dairies and adequate accuracy (small, quartile 1) on at least 68% of the dairies. In contrast, alfalfa hay, corn silage, and canola were loaded with poor precision (large, interquartile range) on a minimum of 60% of the dairies. There was a large variation within and across dairies on the deviation from target weight. Readjusting the TL settings might reduce the deviation from target weight. On 5 dairies, feeders were able to load ingredients with minimal deviation from target weight, setting achievable goals for the industry. Based on loading errors, opportunities exist to improve feeder performance on California dairies.

Associação de palma forrageira com feno de maniçoba ou silagem de sorgo e duas proporções de concentrado na dieta de vacas em lactação / The effect of the association of spinelles cactus with maniçoba hay and sorghum silage and two dietary concentrate in lactating dairy

Objetivou-se avaliar a utilização da silagem de sorgo, feno de maniçoba e duas proporções de concentrado (10 e 15% na MS) em dietas à base de palma forrageira na alimentação de vacas em lactação. Foram utilizadas oito vacas da raça Girolando, com peso vivo médio e produção inicial de 463 e 9,65kg, respectivamente, com 95 dias de lactação. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o quadrado latino 4x4 em esquema fatorial 2x2 (feno de maniçoba e silagem de sorgo x 10% e 15% de concentrado), sendo utilizados dois quadrados simultâneos. Cada período experimental teve duração de 21 dias, sendo 14 de adaptação e sete para coleta de dados e amostras. Não houve interação entre volumosos e proporções de concentrado para nenhuma das variáveis avaliadas. Assim, os fatores foram analisados e discutidos separadamente. Os consumos de proteína bruta, fibra em detergente neutro e nutrientes digestíveis totais diferiram em função dos volumosos utilizados, com menores consumos para o feno de maniçoba (1,50; 4,10; 6,17kg/dia, respectivamente). A digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro diferiram de acordo com os volumosos, verificando menores valores para o feno de maniçoba (51,70; 53,91; 62,30 e 20,74%, respectivamente). A produção de leite com ou sem correção para 4% de gordura (9,65 e 9,1kg/dia, respectivamente) e composição do leite não diferiram entre os volumosos, nem entre os níveis de concentrados. A eficiência de síntese de proteína microbiana diferiu entre os volumosos, sendo menor no tratamento com silagem de sorgo (99,46g/kg de NDT). A concentração de ureia no plasma diferiu entre as proporções de concentrado, com menores valores na dieta com 15% de concentrado (31,41mg/dL). Para o atendimento das exigências nutricionais e redução dos custos com suplementação, sugere-se o fornecimento de silagem de sorgo como volumoso e a proporção de 10% de concentrado na dieta de vacas em lactação.

The trial was conducted to evaluate the use of sorghum silage, maniçoba hay, and two concentrate levels (10.0% and 15.0% DM) in diets based on spineless cactus of dairy cows. Eight Girolando cows were used with average body weight and milk yield of 463 and 9.65kg, respectively, with 95 days of lactation. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 Latin Square in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (maniçoba hay and sorghum silage x 10.0% and 15.0% of concentrate), two simultaneous Latin Square were used. Each experimental period lasted 21 days; 14 days for adaptation and seven for data and sample collection. There was no interaction between roughage and concentrate level for any of the variables. Thereby the factors were analyzed and discussed separately. The intake of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients differ according to roughage used with lower intake for maniçoba hay (1.50; 4.10; 6.17kg/day, respectively). The apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber differed according to the roughage, and lower values were found for maniçoba hay (51.70; 53.91 and 20.74%, respectively). The milk yield with and without adjustment to 4.0% of fat (9.65 and 9.1kg/day, respectively) and the milk composition did not differ between roughages or between concentrate levels. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis differs between roughages and was lower in the treatment with sorghum (99.46g/kg TDN). The concentration of plasma urea differed between the ratios of concentrate with lower amounts in the diet with 15.0% concentrate (1.41mg/dL). To meet the nutritional requirements and cost reduction with supplementation a supply with sorghum silage as roughage and 100% of concentrate for diet of lactation cows is suggested.

Control de la actividad proteolítica en ensilado de pescado / Proteolitic activity control in fish silage

Se elaboró un ensilado microbiano a partir de una mezcla de pescado de bajo valor comercial y la adición de 15 por ciento de melaza, almacenándolo a 35ºC. Se realizaron experiencias para observar el efecto de la adición de una preparación comercial de bromelina (0,20-0,90 por ciento) sobre el proceso de obtención del ensilado. Estas concentraciones fueron calculadas en base a los resultados obtenidos en las pruebas bioquímicas realizadas en este trabajo. La licuefacción del ensilado se evaluó por medio de determinaciónes de consistencia (cm recorridos en 30 s) y de nitrógeno no proteíco. Los resultados indican que la adición de bromelina (0,7 por ciento ó más) acorta considerablemente el tiempo de licuefacción del producto obteniéndose la mayor actividad proteolítica en las primeras 3 horas de almacenamiento. Tales ensilados alcanzaron su licuefacción máxima en 12 horas en comparación con ensilados a los que no se les adicionó bromelina los cuales se licuaron en 15 días. Por lo tanto, se recomienda la inclusión de la preparación de bromelia comercial para la obtención de los ensilados

Evaluación del ensilado biológico de pescado en pollos de engorde / Evaluation of biological fish silage in broiler chicken

Se elaboró ensilado de pescado por vía microbiana a partir de una mezcla de tres especies de pescado de bajo precio, inoculándolo con Lactobacillus plantarum y mediante la adición de melaza y desechos de las frutas piña y papaya. Después de siete días de almacenamiento, se deshidrato y se adicionó como sustituto parcial de la harina de pescado a dietas de alimentos balanceados para aves. Se realizaron ensayos físico-químicos y microbiológicos a la materia prima, el ensilado y las dietas propuestas. Los ensayos biológicos de aceptabilidad realizados en polos de engorde indicaron la preferencia por niveles del 5 al 50 por ciento de ensilado. Las pruebas de incremento de peso y consumo de alimento, al igual que la evaluación de los órganos viscerales y la evaluación sensorial, indicaron que con 5-20 por ciento de inclusión de ensilado en las dietas se obtuvieron rendimientos muy satisfactorios, no se observan trastornos en los animales que lo consumen, ni se detectan cambios sensoriales en la carne de los pollos después de la cocción.

Obtención de escilado biológico de desechos de pescado / Biological fish silage obtained from fish scraps

Los desechos del procesamiento de pescado fueron utilizados como materia prima en la elaboración de ensilado biológico, mediante la aplicación de tecnologías previamente descritas y utilizadas exitosamente en la elaboración de alimentos para animales. El proceso fue optimizado variando ciertos parámetros tales como: tamaño de molienda de los desechos de pescado, cantidad de melaza añadida, presencia y cantidad de inóculo de Lactobacillus plantarum, temperatura de incubación y adición de desechos de frutas tropicales como fuentes de enzimas proteolíticas. Los resultados obtenidos, después de la elaboración y almacenamiento del ensilado por 90 días a temperatura ambiente, indican que aun cuando el inoculo no es imprescindible para la obtención del ensilado, es recomendable a fin de obtener un producto aceptable y estable. Un mínimo de 10 por ciento de desechos de frutas aceleran el proceso hidrolítico, el grado de molienda debe ser el más fino posible, la melaza no menor de 15 por ciento y la temperatura del proceso no debe exceder de los 40ºC

Fermentation and utilization of grass silage.

The decision to utilize particular forages in support of dairy production should be based on a number of key factors, such as available land base, type of manure management, soil type and topography, climate, and availability of purchased forages and feeds. Because of the complexity and environmental concerns existing in the dairy industry today, decisions about forage and manure management should include whole farm analysis with the aid of computer software. The chemical composition and digestibility of grass are affected more by stage of maturity than by other management factors, such as species, DM, or type of harvest system. The decline in digestibility of nutrients in first growth forage is approximately .55 to .68%/d and is dependent on the method of estimation. The decline in digestible DMI in first growth is .3 to .5%/d. The use of silage additives has become an integral part of forage management, and improvements in DMI and milk production are documented. Particle size and type of harvest equipment significantly affect eating behavior and efficiency of milk production. Wilting of silage results in an increase in DMI and efficiency of microbial protein production.