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 McCaskey, T. A. Articles by Wang, Y. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by McCaskey, T. A. Articles by Wang, Y. D.

Microflora and Acid Development of Rations Ensiled with Varied Percents of Bovine Manure and Moisture

Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn 36849

ABSTRACT

A basal ration and the same ration blended with 20, 40, and 60% wet bovine manure were adjusted to varied moisture content, ensiled in plastic bags, and analyzed at 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days for selected microbial groups and acid development. Increasing moisture to 28% or more improved fermentation, and maximum acid production was at about 40% moisture. Fermentation of the rations was improved more by increased manure and moisture than by moisture alone. Rations ensiled 10 days with 28 to 51.8% moisture had pH's of 4.2 to 4.6. Coliform organisms, yeast, and mold numbers declined more rapidly in rations containing manure than in the basal ration adjusted to comparable moisture. Fermentation of rations with 28% or more moisture eliminated coliforms from the wastelage rations within 3 days and within 7 days from the basal ration. Numbers of sporeforming bacteria were relatively unaffected during fermentation irrespective of moisture or manure content of rations.