HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nevens, W. B. Articles by Kuhlman, A. F. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Nevens, W. B. Articles by Kuhlman, A. F.

Alfalfa Silage

Department of Dairy Husbandry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois

ABSTRACT

Alfalfa was ensiled in twenty-three small metal silos and three wooden tanks. It was found that small cylindrical metal containers may be used satisfactorily in experimental studies of silage.

Whey powder mixed with the alfalfa at the time of ensiling at the rates of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 per cent, respectively, of the weights of the alfalfa caused an increase in the acid content of the silage over that of alfalfa ensiled alone, and in most cases the larger amounts of powder produced a more acid silage. Blackstrap cane feeding molasses, lactic acid starter, and Bulgarlac culture incorporated with the alfalfa at the time of ensiling also caused some increases in the acidity of the silage. The whey powder seemed to be the most effective of the preservatives used in causing an increase in the acid content.

A good quality of silage resulted from the mixing of chopped green corn harvested at an early silage stage with chopped alfalfa.

Alfalfa ensiled whole (unchopped) did not keep as well as chopped alfalfa, but it is believed that when ensiled under suitable conditions, whole alfalfa may readily be preserved as silage.

Different lots of alfalfa having dry matter contents at the time of ensiling of 23 per cent, 25 per cent, 27 per cent, 32 per cent, and 39 per cent, respectively, which were ensiled without preservatives except for a very small amount of water, yielded silage having good keeping qualities. It is concluded on the basis of these trials that a dry matter content of 39 per cent is about the upper limit for the successful ensiling of alfalfa alone.

Alfalfa silage is a very palatable feed for dairy cows and when fed in limited amounts has a feeding value comparable with that of corn silage, but has a laxative effect greater than that of corn silage.