Satellite Symposium 2: Silage
Description
New varieties of Lolium perenne, bred for high sugar content, can contain up to 30% of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Only a fraction of such high contents are metabolised during a normal fermentation and the high residual sugar content (RSC) of these silages can improve the efficiency of use of nitrogen by ruminants. However, these RSC at opening for feed-out could be preferentially metabolised relative to fermentation products by all aerobically growing fungi and bacteria present on the forage. A high RSC thus can increase the risk of aerobic deterioration over that of extensively fermented silages, containing predominantly organic acids, which are initially utilised by certain yeasts. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between RSC and aerobic stability of silages prepared with either optimal ensiling conditions or with a defined air challenge treatment to make them prone to aerobic deterioration. The latter is a useful method to test the efficacy of aerobic stability improving silage additives, requiring unstable controls (Pahlow et al., 1999).
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Effect of Residual Sugar in High Sugar Grass Silages on Aerobic Stability
New varieties of Lolium perenne, bred for high sugar content, can contain up to 30% of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Only a fraction of such high contents are metabolised during a normal fermentation and the high residual sugar content (RSC) of these silages can improve the efficiency of use of nitrogen by ruminants. However, these RSC at opening for feed-out could be preferentially metabolised relative to fermentation products by all aerobically growing fungi and bacteria present on the forage. A high RSC thus can increase the risk of aerobic deterioration over that of extensively fermented silages, containing predominantly organic acids, which are initially utilised by certain yeasts. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between RSC and aerobic stability of silages prepared with either optimal ensiling conditions or with a defined air challenge treatment to make them prone to aerobic deterioration. The latter is a useful method to test the efficacy of aerobic stability improving silage additives, requiring unstable controls (Pahlow et al., 1999).
