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 HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Oetzel, G. R. Articles by Nordlund, K. V. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Oetzel, G. R. Articles by Nordlund, K. V.

A Comparison of On-Farm Methods for Estimating the Dry Matter Content of Feed Ingredients

Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

On-farm methods for determining the DM content of ensiled feed ingredients were evaluated to determine ease of use, time required to conduct the determination, repeatability, and accuracy relative to a standard drying method. Methods evaluated were sequential drying in a microwave oven, Koster tester method, and electronic moisture tester method. A drying oven was used as the standard drying method. Feed ingredients evaluated were alfalfa silage, corn silage, and high moisture shelled corn (unground kernels). All on-farm methods gave highly repeatable DM results. The microwave oven method was more accurate than the standard method but required the most time to perform. The Koster tester tended to underdry feed ingredients and was not as repeatable as the microwave method. The electronic moisture tester was comparable with the other on-farm methods for alfalfa silage and most closely agreed with the standard method for high moisture shelled corn. However, compared with the standard method, the electronic moisture tester did not accurately determine the DM content of corn silage. The electronic moisture tester required the least operator skill and time.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. C. Stone Nutritional Approaches to Minimize Subacute Ruminal Acidosis and Laminitis in Dairy Cattle J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2004; 87(13_suppl): E13 - 26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]