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Effects of Dry Matter Content of Barley Silage on Nutrient Preservation and Animal Response

Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

ABSTRACT

Barley silage was made at three dry matters, direct cut at soft dough maturity 36%, wilted to 40%, and 50%. These silages were fed with either 13% or 10.5% dietary crude protein in a 3 x 2 factorial design to 30 lactating Holsteins to test milk production response. Complete rations containing silages, ground corn, soybean meal, minerals, and vitamins supplied anticipated dietary needs except for protein. Animals were grouped according to 3.5% fat-corrected milk, age, and days in lactation and fed a standard ration for 2 wk for a covariate for production.

During fermentation the highest temperature (38 C) was recorded in the top portion of the 50% silage. Acid detergent insoluble nitrogen was 11.2% of total nitrogen in it, compared to 7.2 and 6.4% in the other silages. Eleven-week means for daily milk and intake of dry matter were for (36–10.5) 22.3, 19.2; (36–13) 23.2, 19.8; (40–10.5) 23.9, 21.3; (40–13) 27.1, 21.4; (50–10.5) 20.0, 19.6; and (50–13) 25.3, 19.6. The interaction was significant for milk.

The 36% dry-matter silage when fed alone had higher digestion coefficients for dry matter, protein, and acid detergent fiber; however, nitrogen balance was similar.