Stabilization of returned dairy products by ensiling with straw and molasses for animal feeding.

Returned dairy products which are transferred to landfills might add to the environmental pollution. Such products have a high nutritional value for ruminants, but they should be stabilized to enable their use as cattle feed. The purpose of the current study was to examine stabilization of returned dairy products by ensiling in combinations with straw and molasses for animal feeding. Treatments included combinations of milk and cottage cheese with straw and molasses. Results indicate that such products ensile well with straw, and after 3 d of ensiling the pH decreased to around 4.0. It was necessary to supplement cottage cheese with molasses, to supply a carbohydrate source for the lactic acid fermentation. The major fermentation product was lactic acid. Percentage of ammonia N (of total N) was generally higher in the silages made with cottage cheese than in those made with milk; the highest percentage (16%) was measured in the second experiment in the silages prepared with cottage cheese and straw. The study indicates the potential of stabilizing returned dairy products for animal feeding along with straw and molasses. There may also be potential for large dairy farms, or groups of smaller farms, to ensile waste milk with straw for later use as feed.

The effects of temperature on the aerobic stability of wheat and corn silages.

The aim of this work was to study the effects of temperature on the aerobic stability of wheat and corn silages. Three silage samples from each crop were taken from the faces of six different commercial bunker silos immediately after unloading them. The samples were exposed to air for 3 or 6 days at 10, 20, 30 or 40 degrees C. The most intensive deterioration occurred at 30 degrees C. Samples incubated at 30 degrees C had the highest yeast counts, most prolific CO(2) production and greatest increases in pH. Silage samples exposed to 10 or 40 degrees C remained stable. The duration of exposure had a significant effect on aerobic stability, especially at 30 degrees C. Temperature has a significant effect on silage aerobic stability. In a warm climate, special care should be taken during unloading of silage in order to prevent intensive aerobic deterioration.

Ensiling whole-crop wheat and corn in large containers with Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri.

The effect of applying Lactobacillus buchneri, alone or in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum, at ensiling, on the aerobic stability of wheat and corn silages was studied in 50-l plastic containers. Treatments comprised control (no additives), L. plantarum, L. buchneri and a combination of L. plantarum+L. buchneri. After 3 months of storage, the wheat silages treated with L. buchneri had higher acetic acid contents than the control or L. plantarum-treated silages, and were free of mold, whereas the top layers of the control or L. plantarum-treated silages were moldy. In an aerobic stability test the L. buchneri-treated silages were stable, whereas those treated with L. plantarum deteriorated. In the corn silages the effects of L. buchneri were not as clear and the top layer was moldy in all silages. However, L. buchneri also improved the aerobic stability of the corn silage, as indicated by lower yeast numbers, less CO(2) production and stable pH. It is concluded that L. buchneri has a potential as a silage additive that protects the silage upon aerobic exposure. The 50-l plastic containers can serve as an appropriate model to test silage additives before conducting full-scale farm experiments.

Changes in essential oil during enzyme-assisted ensiling of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf.) and lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora Hook).

Changes in essential oil during ensiling of lemongrass and lemon eucalyptus were studied. Wilted lemongrass and eucalyptus leaves were ensiled in 0.25-L anaerobic jars. Samples consisted of a control (no additives) and a treated sample (0.5% glucose and lactic acid bacteria and 1% cellulase plus 1% hemicellulase plus pectinase). Three jars per treatment were sampled on days 2, 6, 10, and 36 for analysis of essential oil. Essential oil was obtained by extraction and by hydrodistillation. Extraction efficacy of essential oil from the lemongrass was improved by the enzyme treatment, but it was much lower than the amount obtained by distillation. The major components of the essential oil were neral and geranial. In the eucalyptus, total essential oils obtained by distillation decreased during ensiling, and the amount was similar to the amount obtained by extraction. Citronellal, which was the major component of the essential oil in the fresh eucalyptus leaves, decreased, whereas isopulegol and 3,8-terpinolhydrate increased during ensiling.

The effect of temperature on the ensiling process of corn and wheat.

AIMS: The purpose of this work was to study the effect of temperature on the ensiling process and aerobic stability of corn and wheat silages. METHODS AND RESULTS: The crops were ensiled in 1.5 l anaerobic jars, with and without an inoculant, at room or elevated temperatures (37-41 degrees C). After two months of ensiling, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test at room and elevated (33 degrees C) temperature. The results indicate that ensiling at elevated temperatures resulted in higher pH values, less lactic acid and higher losses. The silages which were stored at elevated temperatures were more susceptible to aerobic spoilage than those stored at room temperature, especially when the test was performed at elevated temperature. CONCLUSION: High temperatures are detrimental to both the ensiling process and the aerobic stability of silages. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The findings of the current study suggest that in a warm climate, special care should be taken during silage making and storage in order to avoid heating as much as possible. In addition, in a warm climate, silages are more susceptible to aerobic deterioration and therefore, special care should be taken during unloading.