Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of applying formic acid at ensilage or formic acid/formaldehyde to the standing crop of herbage before ensiling upon the subsequent digestion of the silages by cattle. Unwilted grass silages were made from perennial ryegrass ensiled at a DM of 170g kg-1 with application of 2.22 liters ton-1 of formic acid and wilted grass silages was made by spray to the standing crop of herbage with 90 liters ha -i of a solution containing 50 liter formalin, 500ml of 10% Tween 20, and 2.5 liter water giving an application rate of 61g formaldehyde kg-1 herbage crude protein. The silages were fed to cattle equipped with rumen cannulae and duodenal re-entrant cannulae. Results from fermentation in the rumen and from the digestion of organic matter showed major differences between silages. The efficiency of rumen microbial nitrogen synthesis was also affected by additive treatment. Microbial N synthesized per kg organic matter apparently digested in the rumen was 20g for the formic acid silage and 17.6g for the formic acid/formaldehyde silage. Degradability of feed N in the rumen was similar for two silages.

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The Digestion by Cattle of Grass Silages Made with the Application of Formic Acid or Formic Acid and Formaldehyde

Kyoto Japan

The aim of the experiment was to assess the effect of applying formic acid at ensilage or formic acid/formaldehyde to the standing crop of herbage before ensiling upon the subsequent digestion of the silages by cattle. Unwilted grass silages were made from perennial ryegrass ensiled at a DM of 170g kg-1 with application of 2.22 liters ton-1 of formic acid and wilted grass silages was made by spray to the standing crop of herbage with 90 liters ha -i of a solution containing 50 liter formalin, 500ml of 10% Tween 20, and 2.5 liter water giving an application rate of 61g formaldehyde kg-1 herbage crude protein. The silages were fed to cattle equipped with rumen cannulae and duodenal re-entrant cannulae. Results from fermentation in the rumen and from the digestion of organic matter showed major differences between silages. The efficiency of rumen microbial nitrogen synthesis was also affected by additive treatment. Microbial N synthesized per kg organic matter apparently digested in the rumen was 20g for the formic acid silage and 17.6g for the formic acid/formaldehyde silage. Degradability of feed N in the rumen was similar for two silages.