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Effect of Moisture Level and Grain Addition on Organic Acids in Alfalfa Silage¹

Department of Dairy Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

ABSTRACT

Preservation of wilted hay-crops for silage has become increasingly popular in recent years. Wilting forages to 60–70% moisture increases the per cent of lactic acid and decreases the per cent of volatile fatty acids in the silage (1).

Preservatives such as fermentable ingredients are not required for the preservation of wilted hay-crops. However, high levels of corn added to wilted or unwilted alfalfa at the time of ensiling have produced silage of unusually high value for lactating cows (2). The efficiency of dry matter utilization for milk production was distinctly superior for the unwilted compared to the wilted silage.

It seemed possible that this difference in feed value was related to differences in fermentation. A beneficial effect from fermentation is also indicated by the higher feed efficiency reported for alfalfa preserved as silage compared to hay (3). Therefore, this experiment was designed to examine the influence of silage moisture level and addition of grain on certain organic acids in alfalfa silage.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 1400, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.