Evaluation of the fermentation and nutritional effects of three types of silage additives: Enzyme, inoculant and Protectein RTU.

摘要

Four experiments have been carried out in the past three years to evaluate the effects on silage composition and nutritional value of three silage additives applied to three forage crops and ensiled in farm-scale and laboratory-scale silos. Results indicated that Protectein RTU, a molasses-formic acid-formaldehyde mixture, had no effect on hay crop silage preservation and did not improve animal production when Protectein-treated silage was fed to mid-lactation dairy cattle. Alfazyme, a cellulolytic enzyme-inoculant mixture, was effective in breaking down plant cell wall fiber and released water soluble sugars to support a lactic acid fermentation when added to mixed grass-legume forage. This additive also stimulated rumen fiber degradation, feed intake, milk production and slightly improved feed efficiency when treated silage was fed to early lactation dairy cows. A similar enzyme-inoculant system (Prototype Cornzyme) failed to influence silage preservation when added to whole plant corn and reduced milk production when treated corn silage was fed to dairy cows. This additive system, however, was effective in improving silage fermentation by reducing structural fiber and by increasing lactic acid production when added to corn stover forage preserved in laboratory-scale mini-silos. It is therefore concluded that Protectein RTU, a combination of fermentation inhibitors with a fermentation stimulant, does not promote an improved fermentation nor does it increase animal performance. Alfazyme is a satisfactory product to improve hay crop silage preservation and utilization. Prototype Cornzyme has the potential to improve crop residue utilization, however, its effects on whole plant corn suggest that reformulation of the product is necessary to be effective on corn silage.