Satellite Symposium 2: Silage
Description
There has been an increasing interest in field beans (Vicia faba L.) in recent years because of its N-fixating ability. The objective of this study was to compare the yield, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of field bean/spring wheat as whole-crop silage ensiled with and without an additive.
The crop was drilled on 27 May 2003 at a seed rate of 205 kg/ha field beans and 68 kg/ha spring wheat. The crop was harvested at four different growth stages (Zadoks et al., 1974); end of blooming, (stage 69), when 50% of the pods had reached full length, (stage 75), pods fully formed, (stage 79) and when 10% of the pods are filled (stage 81). Yield and botanical composition were evaluated. Samples of the forage were analysed for dry matter (DM) and chemical composition at harvest. Forage, at stages 75, 79 and 81 was wilted overnight then chopped (20 mm) and ensiled in 10 kg silos. Half the forage was ensiled untreated (control). The other half was treated with PROENS (60-66% formic acid and 23-29% propionic acid, Perstorp Speciality Chemicals, Sweden) applied at a rate of 6 l/t fresh matter. The silos were incubated for a period of 90 d and then analysed for DM, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Field Beans and Spring Wheat as Whole Crop Silage: Yield, Chemical Composition and Fermentation Characteristics
There has been an increasing interest in field beans (Vicia faba L.) in recent years because of its N-fixating ability. The objective of this study was to compare the yield, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of field bean/spring wheat as whole-crop silage ensiled with and without an additive.
The crop was drilled on 27 May 2003 at a seed rate of 205 kg/ha field beans and 68 kg/ha spring wheat. The crop was harvested at four different growth stages (Zadoks et al., 1974); end of blooming, (stage 69), when 50% of the pods had reached full length, (stage 75), pods fully formed, (stage 79) and when 10% of the pods are filled (stage 81). Yield and botanical composition were evaluated. Samples of the forage were analysed for dry matter (DM) and chemical composition at harvest. Forage, at stages 75, 79 and 81 was wilted overnight then chopped (20 mm) and ensiled in 10 kg silos. Half the forage was ensiled untreated (control). The other half was treated with PROENS (60-66% formic acid and 23-29% propionic acid, Perstorp Speciality Chemicals, Sweden) applied at a rate of 6 l/t fresh matter. The silos were incubated for a period of 90 d and then analysed for DM, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics.
