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Changes in Organic Acids and Digestibility of Coastal Bermudagrass Silage Pretreated with Monensin

Field and Horticultural Crops Research Unit

Ruel Wilson

Biometrical Services, Southern Region, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, ARS, USDA, P. O. Box 5677, Athens, GA 30613

ABSTRACT

The effect of addition of monensin on the quality of ensiled Coastal bermudagrass was determined. Silage acids, in vitro digestibility, and rumen acids were measured on Coastal bermudagrass of good quality which had been treated with 0 to 375 ppm monensin and ensiled for 60 days. Acetic and succinic acids increased and lactic acid decreased in the monensin-treated silage. No formic acid was detected. As indicated by increased pH and higher water-soluble carbohydrates, silage fermentation was inhibited by monensin. In vitro digestibility of monensin-treated silage decreased as monensin increased. The ratio of propionic to acetic acid in rumen fluid increased but dropped off at 125 ppm and above in the monensin-treated silage. Isobutyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids increased, but butyric and succinic acids slightly decreased for all treatments in rumen fluid containing the treated silage. Caproic acid remained essentially unchanged in both control and treated silage. Addition of 60 to 62 ppm of monensin to Coastal bermudagrass prior to ensiling appeared to be slightly below optimum for production of silage acids but yielded the optimum ratio of acetic to propionic acid in rumen fluid