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Effects of Nutrient Additives and Sodium Hydroxide on Ensiling Characteristics and In Vitro Fiber Digestion Kinetics of Dairy Cattle Waste-Energy Feedstuff Mixtures

Department of Animal Science and Dairy Science, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

ABSTRACT

Dairy waste fiber was mixed in ratio 1:1 (dry matter basis) with ground alfalfa hay, chopped cornstalks, chopped whole corn plant, or ground corn. Prior to ensiling, mixtures received either no additive, dry cane molasses at 5% of dry matter, urea at 1% of dry matter, dry cane molasses at 5% plus urea at 1% of dry matter, sodium hydroxide at 3.3% of dry matter, or sodium hydroxide at 3.3% plus urea at 1% of dry matter. Lactate concentration of silages increased progressively in those receiving alkali, urea, or molasses. Sodium hydroxide treatment tended to increase unavailable nitrogen of silages. Molasses increased a) digestion rate of acid detergent fiber in alfalfa: dairy waste fiber, and b) digestion coefficients of corn silage: and corn:dairy waste fiber silages. Urea additions resulted in less digestion of stalklage:dairy waste fiber. Addition of soluble nitrogen and energy together often improved digestion over addition of either one alone. Sodium hydroxide was effective in increasing a) digestion of certain fiber fractions of all silages except corn silage: dairy waste fiber and b) digestion rate of corn silage:dairy waste fiber hemicellulose. Addition of urea to alkali-treated corn silage:dairy waste fiber increased digestion of neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose beyond that of alkali-treated mixtures alone.