Satellite Symposium 2: Silage
Description
Israel is a subtropical country in which the rainy season is in winter, with frequent droughts. Wheat is the major winter forage crop in Israel, along with legumes as rotation crops. Alternative forage crops are sought that would be suitable for semi-arid areas. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is usually grown as a source for oil and pigments but spineless cultivars could be used as fodder. Leshem et al. (2001) reported DM yields up to 22 t/ha and high DM digestibility when used for heifers. When safflower silage substituted maize and wheat silage in the rations of lactating cows, milk yields and milk fat were similar in the two groups (Landau et al., 2004). Safflower was preserved satisfactorily by ensiling in mini-silos (Weinberg et al., 2002). However, on some farm scale trials, safflower silages spoiled upon aerobic exposure. The objective of the current experiments was to further study the ensiling characteristics of safflower.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Ensiling Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) As an Alternative Winter Forage Crop in Israel
Israel is a subtropical country in which the rainy season is in winter, with frequent droughts. Wheat is the major winter forage crop in Israel, along with legumes as rotation crops. Alternative forage crops are sought that would be suitable for semi-arid areas. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is usually grown as a source for oil and pigments but spineless cultivars could be used as fodder. Leshem et al. (2001) reported DM yields up to 22 t/ha and high DM digestibility when used for heifers. When safflower silage substituted maize and wheat silage in the rations of lactating cows, milk yields and milk fat were similar in the two groups (Landau et al., 2004). Safflower was preserved satisfactorily by ensiling in mini-silos (Weinberg et al., 2002). However, on some farm scale trials, safflower silages spoiled upon aerobic exposure. The objective of the current experiments was to further study the ensiling characteristics of safflower.
