• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.216-222
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• 2017

This study was conducted to examine the effect of corn (Zea mays L.) - soybean (Glycine max L.) silage prepared by intercropping method on the nutritive value of the silage, in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, dry matter degradability, as well as milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows. In a couple of experiments intercropped corn-soybean silage (CSBS) was compared with corn silage (CS) and/or Italian ryegrass hay (IRG). Numerically, CSBS had higher crude protein, ether extract, and lactic acid contents compared to CS. In vitro rumen fermentation analysis demonstrated that up to a 24-h incubation period, both CS and CSBS showed higher total gas production, ammonia N concentration, and dry matter degradability compared to IRG (p<0.05). The investigation on animals was conducted in a commercial dairy farm located in Gyeongju, South Korea, employing 42 Holstein cows that were divided into 2 group treatments: CS and CSBS in a completely randomized design. Although no significant difference was observed in milk yield, animals fed on CSBS showed significantly higher milk protein (p<0.05) and milk fat content (p<0.01), compared to animals fed on CS. Taken together, our findings indicate that corn-soybean silage that is cultivated, harvested, and prepared through intercropping can improve the protein content of the silage, and can also enhance in vitro rumen fermentation, dry matter degradability, and performance of dairy cattle.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.282-282
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• 2017

The many factors such as sugar content, moisture, type of bacteria which predominate, buffering capacity, packing and sealing are known to be associated with silage fermentation quality. Among the sugar content are particularly important, because effective silage ensiling relies on the fermentation of sugar content to lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria. Sugar content is also known to affect the protein utilization of rumen. This study was conducted to observe the effect of water soluble carbohydrates on fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility of whole crop wheat silage. This experiment was used standard cultivars (Cheongwoo, Hordeum balgare L) and solid breeding line of whole crop wheat. The materials harvested at the 30 after heading day and chopped for making silage, and using this silage carried out in vitro digestibility for 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours. For the feed value, crude protein, NDF, ADF contents showed slightly higher than the before ensiling and TDN contents were slightly lower compared to the before ensiling, but did not show the significantly different. For the sugar contents, fructose and glucose contents were decreased in the after ensiling compared to the before ensiling, there were more reduced at the containing high sugar content wheat. The pH value was lower at containing high sugar content wheat. lactic acid content was significantly higher at the containing high sugar content wheat. Therefore, there was profitable to the production of high quality wheat silage at the higher the sugar content. In in vitro digestibility test, containing high sugar content HW34line showed significantly higher dry matter digestibility at 6 and 12 hours of incubation and amount of NH3-N lower other line in all incubation time. Therefore, there was profitable to the production of high quality wheat silage at the higher the sugar content.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.299-306
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• 2015

The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth performance, feed intake, slaughter characteristics, meat quantity and quality characteristics of Hanwoo steers fed with Italian ryegrass (IRG) silage (TRT). IRG silage consisted 11.70% protein, 2.84% ether extract, 53.50% dry matter digestibility and 63.34% total digestible nutrients. The daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of TRT were significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of control diet (CON; fed rice straw) in the whole periods. However, the slaughter weight, dressing percentage, quantity grade and quantity traits (marbling score, meat color, fat color, and quality grade) of either TRT or CON were similar. Meat fed TRT diet showed higher crude fat and lightness (L*) value and lower moisture content and pH value compared with the CON diet (p<0.05). Overall the carcass yield was 12.5% higher than CON diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.354-362
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• 2018

Objective: Wheat is an alternative to corn silage for ruminant feeding in northern China. This study examined the effects of harvest time and added molasses on nutritional content, ensiling characteristics and in vitro degradation of whole crop wheat (WCW). Methods: Fresh WCW at the milk-ripe stage was harvested at 0700 h (i.e., in the morning [Mo]) and 1700 h (i.e., in the afternoon [Af]), and then immediately used to prepare silage and make hay. Commercial molasses was added to Af WCW at 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% (fresh weight) proportions. The WCW treated with molasses was mixed thoroughly prior to ensiling. Results: Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (p<0.01), accumulative gas production in 72 h ($GP_{72h}$, 77.46 mL/g vs 95.15 mL/g) and dry matter disappearance in vitro (69.15% vs 76.77%) were lower (p<0.05), while crude protein (CP) content was higher for WCW silage (WCWS) compared to WCW (p<0.01). The propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in WCWS from Mo WCW were 1.47% and 0.26%, respectively. However, the propionic and butyric acid concentrations were negligible, while the ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen ($NH_3-N/TN$, p<0.01) concentration was lower and the rate of gas production at 50% of the maximum (17.05 mL/h vs 13.94 mL/h, p<0.05) was higher for Af WCWS compared to Mo WCWS. The incubation fluid's $NH_3-N$ concentration was lower in WCWS and Af WCW compared to Mo WCW (p<0.05). The CP and WSC content increased with increasing molasses levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, the pH (p<0.01) and time when gas production was 50% of the maximum (2.78 h vs 3.05 h, p<0.05) were lower in silage treated with 4% molasses than silage without molasses. Conclusion: Harvesting wheat crops in the afternoon and adding molasses at 4% level to WCW optimally improved ensiling characteristics, leading to well-preserved silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.648-657
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• 2014

Silage making has become a significant method of forage conservation worldwide. To determine how tomato pomace (TP) may be used effectively as animal feed, it was ensilaged for 90 days and microbiology counts, fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of tomato pomace silage (TPS) were evaluated at the 30th, 60th, and 90th days, respectively. In addition, 103 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from TPS. Based on the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rDNA sequence and carbohydrate fermentation tests, the isolates were identified as 17 species namely: Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens (0.97%), Lactobacillus pontis (0.97%), Lactobacillus hilgardii (0.97%), Lactobacillus pantheris (0.97%), Lactobacillus amylovorus (1.9%), Lactobacillus panis (1.9%), Lactobacillus vaginalis (1.9%), Lactobacillus rapi (1.9%), Lactobacillus buchneri (2.9%), Lactobacillus parafarraginis (2.9%), Lactobacillus helveticus (3.9%), Lactobacillus camelliae (3.9%), Lactobacillus fermentum (5.8%), Lactobacillus manihotivorans (6.8%), Lactobacillus plantarum (10.7%), Lactobacillus harbinensis (16.5%) and Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei (35.0%). This study has shown that TP can be well preserved for 90 days by ensilaging and that TPS is not only rich in essential nutrients, but that physiological and biochemical properties of the isolates could provide a platform for future design of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants aimed at improving the fermentation quality of silage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.887-893
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• 2007

Influences of forage DM and addition of cane molasses on silage characteristics of berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) and their ruminal digestion kinetics in Nili buffaloes were studied. Berseem and lucerne fodders (at one tenth bloom) were ensiled with wheat straw in laboratory silos to achieve 20, 30, 40% forage DM and without wheat straw (control); each forage DM level was supplemented with 2, 4 and 6% of cane molasses at ensiling. The pH and lactic acid contents of berseem and lucerne silages were affected by both forage DM and addition of molasses. Dry matter, CP and true protein (TP) of berseem and lucerne silages were affected by forage DM at ensiling but were not affected by the addition of cane molasses. Higher DM, CP and TP losses were observed when berseem and lucerne fodders were ensiled either without wheat straw or with wheat straw to achieve 20% and 40% forage DM at ensiling compared with 30% DM at ensiling. Fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose) of berseem silage and lucerne silage were significantly increased with increasing forage DM at ensiling. Addition of cane molasses did not affect the DM, CP, TP and fiber fractions of both berseem and lucerne silages. Berseem and lucerne ensiled at 30% DM with 2% cane molasses were screened for comparative ruminal digestion kinetics with their respective fodders. Addition of wheat straw to berseem or lucerne fodder at ensiling depressed DM and NDF ruminal degradability. However, ruminal lag time, rate of degradation and extent of digestion of silages were similar to their respective fodders. In conclusion, berseem and lucerne could be ensiled with wheat straw to increase their DM to 30% along with 2% molasses for buffaloes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.369-378
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• 2012

This study was performed out to investigate the influence of the mixed application of chemical fertilizer (CF) and liquid swine manure (LSM) on the growth characteristics, dry matter yield, amino acids, minerals, and free sugars in cultivating silage corn on paddy soils. The field experiment was designed in a randomized block design of 3 repetitions with CF 100% treatment (C), CF 70% + LSM 30% treatment (T1), CF 50% + LSM 50% treatment (T2), CF 30% + LSM 70% treatment (T3), and LSM 100% treatment (T4). At this time, the application of LSM was based solely on the nitrogen. Ear length, ear circle, stem diameter, and stem hardness of the silage corn did not show significant differences between treatments. Fresh yield, dry matter yield and TDN yield were highest in T3, whereas the lowest in C treatment (p<0.05). Crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash content were significantly higher in T1, C, and T4 treatment, respectively (p<0.05). However, NDF, ADF and crude fiber content did not show significant difference between treatments. The total mineral content decreased significantly (p<0.05) as the LSM application rate increased. Total composition amino acid content was higher in the order of T1 > T2 > C > T4 > T3 treatment (p<0.05). Free sugar content was higher in the order of T1 > T3 > T4 > T2 > C treatment (p<0.05). Based on the above results, suggests that the mixed application of chemical fertilizer 30~50% and LSM 50~70% (T2 and T3) is the most effective, considering the yield performance and the content of sugar degree and free sugar affecting silage.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1301-1313
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• 2021

This study investigated the effects of applying cellulase and starch on the fermentation characteristics and microbial communities of Napier grass silage after ensiling for 30 d. Three groups were studied: No additives (control); added cellulase (Group 1); and added cellulase and starch (Group 2). The results showed that the addition of cellulase and starch decreased the crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and pH significantly (p < 0.05) and increased water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (p < 0.05). The addition of additives in two treated groups exerted a positive effect on the lactic acid (LA) content, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population, and lactic acid / acetic acid (LA/AA) ratio, even the changes were not significant (p > 0.05). Calculation of Flieg's scores indicated that cellulase application increased silage quality to some extent, while the application of cellulase and starch together significantly improved fermentation (p < 0.05). Compared with the control, both additive groups showed increased microbial diversity after ensiling with an abundance of favorable bacteria including Firmicutes and Weissella, and the bacteria including Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Acinetobacter increased as well. For alpha diversity analysis, the combined application of cellulase and starch in Group 2 gave significant increases in all indices (p < 0.05). The study demonstrated that the application of cellulase and starch can increase the quality of Napier grass preserved as silage.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1842-1852
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• 2023

Objective: Hairy vetch is considered to improve the nutritional value of corn because of its high protein and mineral levels. To better understand the mechanism underlying hairy vetch regulated whole-plant corn silage fermentation, this experiment investigated the fermentation quality and bacterial community of whole-plant corn and hairy vetch mixture. Methods: Whole-plant corn and hairy vetch were mixed at ratios of 10:0 (Mix 10:0), 8:2 (Mix 8:2), 6:4 (Mix 6:4), 4:6 (Mix 4:6), 2:8 (Mix 2:8), and 0:10 (Mix 0:10) on a fresh weight basis. After ensiling 60 days, samples were collected to examine the fermentation dynamics, ensiling characteristics, and bacterial communities. Results: Mix 0:10, Mix 2:8, and Mix 4:6 showed poor fermentation characteristics. Mix 8:2 and Mix 6:4 silages showed high quality, based on the low pH, acetic acid, and ammonia nitrogen levels and the high lactic acid, crude protein, and crude fat contents. The bacterial diversity was affected by the mixing ratio of the two forage species. The genus Lactobacillus dominated the bacterial community in Mix 10:0 silage, whereas with the addition of hairy vetch, the relative abundance of unclassified-Enterobacter increased from 7.67% to 41.84%, and the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased from 50.66% to 13.76%. Conclusion: The silage quality of whole-plant corn can be improved with inclusion levels of hairy vetch from 20% to 40%.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.616-622
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• 2011

This study evaluated the fermentation characteristics and protein degradation dynamics of wet green tea grounds (WGTG) silage. The WGTG was ensiled with distilled water (control), or lactic acid bacteria (LAB), enzyme (E), formic acid (FA) and formaldehyde (FD) prior to ensiling. Three bag silos for each treatment were randomly opened at 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 60 days after anaerobic storage. For all the treatments, except for FA, there was a rapid decline in pH during the first 7 days of ensiling. LAB treatment had higher lactic acid content, lower ammonia-N ($NH_3$-N) and free-amino nitrogen (FAA-N) contents than other treatments (p<0.05). E treatment had higher lactic acid, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content than the control (p<0.05). FA treatment had higher $NH_3$-N and FAA-N content than the control (p<0.05). FD treatment had lower NPN and FAA-N content than the control, but it did not significantly inhibit the protein degradation when compared to LAB treatment (p>0.05). Results indicate that LAB treatment had the best effect on the fermentation characteristics and protein degradation of WGTG silage.