Protein characteristics in grass–clover silages according to wilting rate and fermentation pattern

Effects of wilting rate and fermentation stimulators and inhibitors on protein characteristics of forages typical for organic production were assessed using traditional analytical methods and a gas production in vitro assay. The hypotheses were that the proportion of the crude protein (CP) fraction that was soluble would be lowest, and the protein feed value highest, under rapid wilting and restricted fermentation. The solubility of the CP fraction varied according to treatments and between a first and a second cut, with moderate and high content of clover respectively. It was, however, of minor importance for the protein value, both calculated as amino acids absorbed in the small intestine (AAT₂₀) and estimated as effective utilizable crude protein (uCP₀₄) by the in vitro assay. In ensiled herbage, AAT₂₀ was highest in rapidly wilted and restrictedly fermented silages made from a first cut dominated by highly digestible grasses. Silages from the second cut dominated by red clover were far lower in AAT₂₀. The in vitro assay did not separate silages according to herbage composition or wilting rate, but ranked restrictedly fermented above extensively fermented with regard to protein supply. The assay might still have caught the characteristics that determine the true protein value in vivo.     

The effects of stage of growth and additives with or without cellulase on fermentation and in vitro degradation characteristics of Leymus chinensis silage

This study evaluated the effects of different combinations of added lactic acid bacteria and cellulase applied at two growth stages on chemical composition and in vitro rumen digestibility of Leymus chinensis silage. Fresh grass was harvested at early heading stage (S1) and late heading stage (S2), respectively, and ensiled with five additives: 200 U cellulase (C) kg^?1 fresh matter (FM), 1 × 10⁵ colony‐forming units (cfu) Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) g^?1 FM, 1 × 10⁵ cfu Lb. casei (LC) g^?1 FM, LP+C, LC+C and a control (CK). Four replicates of each treatment were weighed into 5‐L plastic buckets, and the mini silos were stored at ambient temperature (~30°C) for 60 d. Leymus chinensis harvested at S2 showed relatively higher neutral detergent fibre content, coliform bacteria count and lower crude protein content than S1. All additives decreased the pH and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃‐N) content of L. chinensis silage (P < 0·001) except C. LP+C and LC+C decreased fibre content and increased water‐soluble carbohydrate content (P < 0·001). The silages were further anaerobically incubated in vitro at 39°C for 48 h with buffered rumen fluids of lactating cows. Leymus chinensis harvested at S2 showed lower in vitro dry‐matter disappearance, NH₃‐N, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) content and higher average gas production rate (P < 0·05) than S1. In conclusion, Leymus chinensis should not be harvested too late. Compared with other treatments, a combination of Lb. casei (LC) with cellulase resulted in better fermented silage, but further testing is needed to confirm its efficacy.     

Potential of Cistus ladanifer L. (rockrose) in small ruminant diets – effect of season and plant age on chemical composition,in vitro digestibility and antioxidant activity

Shrubs can provide an important contribution to the fodder resources for small ruminants in Mediterranean areas, but there is limited information on their feed value, including secondary metabolites and their seasonal differences. This study evaluated the effect of seasonal variation in chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and antioxidant activity of the aerial parts of plants of Cistus ladanifer of two age groups [young plants vs. older ones (2–6 years old)]. Aerial parts of C. ladanifer plants of both age groups were characterized by moderate cell‐wall content [321–410 g NDF kg^?1 dry matter (DM)], high levels of phenolic compounds (55·1–106 g gallic acid equivalents per kg DM) and condensed tannins (CT) (32·1–161 g kg^?1 DM), low protein content (55–100 g kg^?1 DM) and low digestibility (249–315 g of digestible organic matter per kg DM). During autumn and winter, C. ladanifer showed higher protein levels and lower cell‐wall content than in the other seasons. The highest values of phenolic compounds, CT and antioxidant activity were achieved during summer. Young plants showed higher levels of phenolic compounds during spring, summer and winter, and higher CT contents in summer (more than 54 g kg^?1 DM) compared to old plants. Aerial parts of C. ladanifer of both age groups may be used as a component of ruminant nutrition, but only as a supplement and associated with other feeding resources to complement its nutritional imbalances.