Residual intake and body weight gain: a new measure of efficiency in growing cattle

Interest in improving feed efficiency in cattle is intensifying. Residual feed intake (RFI), which is the difference between expected intake and that predicted based on energy demands, is now the most commonly used measure of feed efficiency over a given time period. However, RFI, as commonly defined, is independent of growth rate, which may affect its acceptance by industry. Residual BW gain (RG) has also been proposed as a measure of feed efficiency and is represented as the residuals from a multiple regression model regressing ADG on both DMI and BW. In this study, we propose a new trait, residual intake and BW gain (RIG), which retains the favorable characteristic of both RFI and RG being independent of BW, but animals superior for RIG have, on average, both greater ADG and reduced DMI. Phenotypic and genetic analyses were undertaken on up to 2,605 purebred performance-tested bulls. Clear phenotypic differences in DMI and ADG existed between animals divergent for RIG. The heritability of RIG was 0.36 ± 0.06, which is consistent with the heritability estimates of RFI and other feed efficiency traits measured in the study. The RIG trait was both phenotypically and genetically negatively correlated with DMI and positively correlated with ADG; no correlation existed between RIG and BW. The advantages of both reduced daily DMI and greater ADG in animals superior for RIG are demonstrated compared with animals superior for either RFI or RG.     

Substitution of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles for barley grain or barley silage in feedlot cattle diets: intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of substituting wheat dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) for barley grain and barley silage on intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in feedlot beef cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated Angus heifers (initial BW 455 ± 10.8 kg) were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 treatments: control, low (25%), medium (30%), and high (35%) wheat DDGS (DM basis). The diets consisted of barley silage, barley concentrate, and wheat DDGS in ratios of 15:85:0 (CON), 10:65:25 (25DDGS), 5:65:30 (30DDGS), and 0:65:35 (35DDGS; DM basis), respectively. The diets were formulated such that wheat DDGS was substituted for both barley grain and barley silage to evaluate whether wheat DDGS can be fed as a source of both energy (grain) and fiber in feedlot finishing diets. Intakes (kg/d) of DM and OM were not different, whereas those of CP, NDF, ADF, and ether extract (EE) were greater (P < 0.01) and intake of starch was less (P < 0.01) for the 25DDGS compared with the CON diet. The digestibilities of CP, NDF, ADF, and EE in the total digestive tract were greater (P < 0.05) for 25DDGS vs. CON. Ruminal pH and total VFA concentrations were not different (P > 0.15) between 25DDGS and CON diets. Replacing barley silage with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS (i.e., from 25DDGS to 35DDGS) linearly reduced (P < 0.05) intakes of DM and other nutrients without altering (P=0.40) CP intake. In contrast, digestibilities of DM and other nutrients in the total digestive tract linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing wheat DDGS except for that of EE. Additionally, with increasing amounts of wheat DDGS, mean ruminal pH tended (P=0.10) to linearly decrease, and ruminal pH status decreased with longer (P=0.04) duration of pH <5.5 and <5.2, and greater (P=0.01) curve area under pH <5.8 and <5.5 without altering (P > 0.19) ruminal VFA and NH(3)-N concentrations. Results indicated that wheat DDGS can be effectively used to replace both barley grain and silage at a moderate amount to meet energy and fiber requirements of finishing cattle. However, when silage content of the diet is low (<10%), wheat DDGS is not an effective fiber source, so replacing forage fiber with wheat DDGS in finishing diets decreases overall ruminal pH status even though the rapidly fermentable starch content of the diet is considerably reduced.     

添加物对水稻青贮发酵品质及有氧稳定性的影响

为提高水稻(Oryza sativa)青贮发酵品质与有氧稳定性,本试验对培杂泰丰添加乳酸菌（青贮宝和LD8）和富糖物质（蔗糖和菠萝皮）进行了研究。结果表明,所有添加物处理的pH值都较低,除蔗糖外均显著低于对照(P<0.05),添加菠萝皮、青贮宝和LD8的青贮料之间pH值没有显著差异(P>0.05);所有添加物处理的丁酸含量显著低于对照(P<0.05),特别是菠萝皮、青贮宝和LD8改善水稻的发酵品质效果显著。青贮开封后,添加菠萝皮和LD8的青贮料有氧稳定性较好。综合考虑, LD8和菠萝皮改善水稻青贮品质的效果最佳。     

Relation of the metabolisable energy intake of growing cattle to body weight,live weight gain and dry matter intake

Equations relating daily energy intake to metabolic body weight, daily weight gain and dry matter intake in growing bulls over a practical range of energy densities, have been calculated from data published by the Agricultural Research Council (1965), the U.K. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1972) and from growth experiments conducted in Israel. The equations obtained from these three sources were similar and provide a simple method for relating the necessary energy content of rations for growing cattle with body weight, daily gain and the dry matter intake by linear programming.     

Chopping of whole-crop barley silage improves intake and live-weight gain of young dairy steers

This experiment evaluated the effect of chopping whole-crop barley silage on intake, diet selection and live-weight gain in young dairy steers. Whole-crop barley harvested at the dough stage of maturity and preserved as round bale silage was fed ad libitum in its long form or precision-chopped to 63 pen-housed dairy steers (average weight 173, s.d. 39 kg). In addition, each animal received 0.6 kg of soybean meal, 0.4 kg of barley grain and 0.08 kg of mineral feed daily. Chopping increased dry matter intake of whole-crop barley silage by 23% and live-weight gain by 22%. Higher concentrations of starch in the orts from steers when fed unchopped silage reflected sorting against grain, probably caused by long awns in the unchopped silage, which were not present in the chopped silage. No sorting against grain occurred in the chopped silage. Chopping increased intake of whole-crop barley silage and live-weight gain of young dairy steers, probably due to negative effects of long awns in the unchopped whole-crop barley silage on intake.     

不同阻氧能力青贮袋对玉米青贮发酵品质和有氧稳定性的影响

为研究青贮袋阻氧能力对玉米青贮发酵品质及有氧稳定性的影响,试验将青贮饲料分别装在氧气透过量为2962.41、70.25、64.36、6.03cm^3/(m^2·24h·0.1MPa)4种青贮袋内(PE-50、SSOB-50、PAOB-50、EVOHOB-50),在30d和60d后进行取样检测,对其发酵品质、主要微生物和有氧稳定性进行分析。结果表明:发酵时间与青贮袋阻氧能力的交互作用对pH、水溶性碳水化合物(WSC)、干物质损失、乳酸、乙酸、NH3-N含量及酵母菌数量均有极显著影响(P<0.01)。增加青贮袋的阻氧能力可有效提高青贮玉米品质,延长有氧稳定时间。在发酵60d时,EVOH青贮袋内酵母菌数量最少,降至1.81lgcfu/gFW,pH最低,为3.74,有氧稳定时间显著高于尼龙和聚乙烯青贮袋,达到297h。综上,选用EVOH青贮袋贮存的青贮玉米效果最好。     

Influence of corn hybrid traits on digestibility and the efficiency of gain in feedlot cattle

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of chemical and physical corn kernel traits on digestibility and feedlot cattle performance. Seven commercially available corn hybrids representing a range in kernel traits were evaluated for a variety of chemical and physical traits that included test weight, 1,000-grain weight, kernel size, starch, CP, amylose, Stenvert Hardness tests (kernel hardness traits), tangential abrasive dehulling device loss, 12-h in vitro starch disappearance, and rate and extent of in situ DM disappearance. Differences among hybrids existed for all physical kernel traits measured. In Exp. 1, 224 steers in 28 pens were fed the same hybrids for 167 d in a completely randomized design. All diets were formulated to have 12.5% CP and contained 66% dry-rolled corn (DM basis). There were no differences (P >0.20) among corn hybrids for DMI, ADG, or carcass characteristics. However, efficiency of gain (G:F) was influenced by hybrid (P < 0.01) with a difference of 9.5% from the least to the most efficient. In Exp. 2, 7 ruminally cannulated heifers were used in a 7 x 7 Latin square design to determine the effects of these hybrids on nutrient digestibility, VFA concentrations, and ruminal pH. Total-tract OM and starch digestibilities were not different (P >0.15) among hybrids and averaged 77.9 and 95.1%, respectively. Differences (P < 0.05) among hybrids existed for ruminal propionate concentration and the acetate to propionate ratio. Kernel hardness traits correlated (P < 0.05) with G:F were 1,000-grain weight (r = -0.81), Stenvert time to grind (r = -0.83), and the proportion of Stenvert soft to coarse particle height (r = 0.83). Propionate concentration was not correlated (r = 0.45) with G:F but was correlated (P = 0.02) to the Stenvert time to grind (r = -0.83). Cattle fed dry-rolled corn hybrids with greater proportions of soft endosperm had greater concentrations of propionate and gained more efficiently than cattle fed hybrids with a harder endosperm. Selecting for these softer kernel traits may improve the efficiency of gain in feedlot cattle.     

Efficacy of laidlomycin propionate for increasing rate and efficiency of gain by feedlot cattle

One thousand twenty steers and heifers were used in six feeding trials to examine the influence of laidlomycin propionate on feedlot performance and to determine the most efficacious dietary concentrations of that ionophore. Cattle were fed diets ranging in energy content from 1.08 to 1.49 Mcal NEg/kg of DM. Laidlomycin propionate improved rate of gain and feed conversion in both steers and heifers. Improvements in performance were not evident when laidlomycin propionate was fed at only 3 mg/kg. However, both average daily gain and feed conversion were improved by laidlomycin propionate within the range of 6 to 12 mg/kg of DM (P less than .001). Feed consumption was not substantially affected by inclusion of laidlomycin propionate in the diet. Improvements in ADG and feed conversion were greater on lower-energy diets than on higher-energy diets, but both these performance characteristics were improved regardless of the type of diet fed. Average daily gain was maximized with laidlomycin propionate at 6 mg/kg, whereas improvements in feed conversion were sustained through 12 mg/kg. Carcasses of cattle fed diets containing 6 to 12 mg/kg of laidlomycin propionate weighed 7.3 kg more (P less than .001) than carcasses of cattle fed the control diets. Yield grade and quality grade were not affected by laidlomycin propionate (P greater than .05).     

青稞秸秆替代苇状羊茅对全混合日粮青贮早期发酵品质及有氧稳定性的影响

本试验旨在研究不同比例青稞秸秆替代苇状羊茅对全混合日粮青贮早期发酵品质及有氧稳定性的影响。试验设对照组(TH₀)和3个青稞秸秆不同比例替代组TH₅、TH₁₀和TH₁₅。青贮14 d开窖取样,分析其发酵品质、化学成分及微生物数量,将剩余的发酵TMR暴露于空气,用多通道温度记录仪记录温度变化;并分别在有氧暴露的第2,5和8天取样评定其有氧稳定性。结果表明,与对照组(TH₀)相比,TH₅的pH、乳酸、乙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸和乙醇含量无显著(P>0.05)差异;TH₁₀和对照相比pH差异不显著(P>0.05),但乳酸、乙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸和乙醇含量显著(P<0.05)低于对照组;TH₁₅ pH显著(P<0.05)高于对照组,乳酸、乙酸、总挥发性脂肪酸和乙醇含量显著(P<0.05)低于对照组;各组氨态氮/总氮和乳酸/乙酸无显著(P>0.05)差异,均以乳酸发酵为主,发酵品质良好。有氧暴露第2天后各组pH和氨态氮/总氮持续上升;乳酸、乙酸和水溶性碳水化合物含量持续下降;酵母菌和好氧细菌数量显著(P<0.05)升高。除TH₁₅外,其他各组温度在第35 h开始上升,TH₁₅温度上升延迟,并且温度上升峰值最小。和其他组相比,TH₁₅有氧稳定性最好。综合考虑发酵品质、有氧稳定性及对青稞秸秆资源的最大化利用,建议采用TH₁₅设计配方最为适宜。     

Effect of grape pomace on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of sweet sorghum silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of grape pomace (GP) with different adding levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%, fresh matter basis), alone (GP‐LAB) or in combine with an inoculant LAB (GP+LAB), on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of sweet sorghum silage. After 90 days of ensiling in vacuumized mini‐silos, silages were subject to a 7‐day aerobic stability test, in which chemical, microbial and polyphenol composition were measured. In the GP‐LAB group, adding GP decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and butyric acid in silage. In the GP+LAB group, adding GP increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of lactic acid, WSC and crude protein, decreased (P < 0.05) final pH value, NH₃‐N ratio and butyric acid concentration in silage. Polyphenol level was reduced (P < 0.05) after silage fermentation. During aerobic exposure, the fungi count, pH value and silage temperature increased (P < 0.05), the levels of lactic acid, acetic acid and polyphenols (quercetin 3‐O‐glucoside and quercetin 3‐O‐glucuronid) decreased (P < 0.05) in silage. GP+LAB treated silage had a lag phase for aerobic spoilage. When the fermentation products, microbial counts, chemical and polyphenol composition were considered, the use of 10% GP+LAB at ensiling could provide a valuable source for improved fermentation quality and aerobic stability of sweet sorghum silage.     

不同水分吸附材料对象草青贮发酵品质及好氧稳定性的影响

象草收获时往往具有较高水分,单独青贮发酵品质不佳。为提高象草青贮品质,研究了不同水分吸附材料对象草青贮发酵品质和好氧稳定性的影响。处理设为对照、分别添加象草鲜重10%的米糠、小麦粉、干豆腐渣和麦麸。青贮60 d后分析发酵品质和好氧稳定性。结果表明:所有添加处理均比对照显著增加了青贮原材料的干物质(DM,P<0.01),降低了缓冲能(P<0.05);青贮后,所有添加处理均显著提高了乳酸含量(P<0.01)。添加小麦粉显著增加了丁酸(0.81%DM)和氨态氮(NH₃-N,14.40%TN)含量(P<0.05),而其他添加处理无显著影响(P>0.05),添加干豆腐渣的处理丁酸和氨态氮含量最低,分别只有0.04%DM和9.75%TN。添加小麦粉和干豆腐渣对青贮饲料好氧稳定性改善效果最佳。综合比较分析营养特性、青贮发酵品质和好氧稳定性,添加干豆腐渣的处理青贮效果最优。     

TMR青贮中存在的乳酸菌对意大利黑麦草青贮的发酵品质和有氧稳定性的影响

试验研究了25℃和35℃贮存时,TMR青贮中存在的乳酸菌Lactobacillus panis、Lactoba-cillus frumenti以及Lactobacillus farciminis对意大利黑麦草青贮的发酵品质、有氧稳定性及其微生物群态的影响。试验结果表明:不同温度贮存青贮的p H值差异不显著,相同温度的添加组的p H值极显著低于对照组(P0.01);25℃贮存的青贮乳酸含量极显著高于35℃贮存青贮(P0.01),相同温度贮存,添加组乳酸含量极显著高于对照组(P0.01);不同温度贮存青贮的醋酸含量无显著性差异,25℃贮存L.panis和L.frumenti添加组醋酸含量显著高于对照组和L.farciminis组(P0.05)。青贮饲料开封后,在空气中放置一周后,所有青贮的p H值都升高,表明发生了有氧变败。TMR青贮中存在的乳酸菌的添加可以改变意大利黑麦草青贮的发酵产物,但是抑制有氧变败的作用较小。     

The effect of fermentation quality on the voluntary intake of grass silage by growing cattle fed silage as the sole feed

This study was designed to separate the effect of fermentation quality on voluntary intake of grass silage from other feed factors affecting intake. Variations in DMI were quantified, and the impact on intake was modeled. The relationships between individual silage components and intake were examined. A partially balanced changeover experiment with 30 Norwegian Red steers (137 +/- 16.4 kg of BW) was carried out to determine the intake of 24 silages and of hay harvested from the same parent crop within 60 h. Five forages were fed at a time in each of five 3-wk periods. Every 3-wk period was preceded by 2 wk of feeding a standard silage. Silage DMI ranged from 1.79 to 2.65, with a mean of 2.38 kg x 100 kg of BW(-1) x d(-1). Hay DMI averaged 2.43 kg x 100 kg of BW(-1) x d(-1). Ranges (mean) for the composition of silages were as follows: DM, 166 to 237 (213) g/kg; water-soluble carbohydrates, 16.3 to 70.9 (33.0) g/kg of DM; acetic acid, 11.5 to 64.7 (28.6) g/kg of DM; propionic acid, 0 to 5.2 (1.0) g/kg of DM; butyric acid, 0 to 25.1 (6.0) g/kg of DM; lactic acid, 2.2 to 102 (49.3) g/kg of DM; and NH3-N (not corrected for additive-derived N), 89.3 to 255 (153) g/kg of total N. Silage DMI was closely (P < 0.05) related to DM, ADL, VFA, lactic acid, total acids, the lactic acid:total acids ratio, ADIN, NH3-N (not corrected), histamine, tryptamine, cadaverine, and the total sum of amines (the explained variation in intake ranged from 14 to 53%). The 2 best models describing silage DMI included concentrations in the silage of propionic acid, butyric acid, and lactic acid, and these models explained 75 and 84% of the variation in DMI. The strong correlation (r = 0.84, P < 0.05) between total NH3-N and butyric acid concentrations in silages indicates that these variables described the same variation pattern. The inclusion of NH3-N in the equations describing the effect of fermentation quality on DMI of low-DM grass silage was less useful than that of butyric acid. This was due to the confounded relationship between the NH3-N concentration in silages and the use of ammonium-containing preservatives and to difficulties in correcting for the added ammonium.     

饲用玉米全株青贮饲料喂肉牛增重效果对比试验研究

试验以高寒阴湿地区西门达尔杂种黄牛的育肥为目的,进行低精料水平下玉米秸秆不同处理舍饲喂养试验。结果表明,玉米秸秆经青贮加工后可进高牛采食量、日增重,提高饲料转化率。试验期90d,全贮组、黄贮组较干草组日增重分别提高628．5g和315．7g。全贮组头均纯效益比黄贮组提高180．38元,比干草组提高325．2元,黄贮组比干草组提高145．58元。     

The effects of wilting and storage temperatures on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of stylo silage

In order to clarify the ensiling characteristics of stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis Swartz), the effects of wilting (no wilting, light wilting and heavy wilting) and storage temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 30°C and 40°C) on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of stylo silage were investigated. Wilting had no significant influence on the contents of crude protein, ether extract and acid detergent fiber, and numbers of lactic acid bacteria, aerobic bacteria, yeasts and mold (P > 0.05). Heavy wilted material, wilted for 12 h, had higher neutral detergent fiber content and lower water‐soluble carbohydrate content than unwilted and light wilted materials (P < 0.05). Wilting and storage temperatures had significant effects on pH value, acetic acid, butyric acid and NH₃‐N contents of stylo silage (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Wilting tended to reduce acetic acid and NH₃‐N contents and improve the fermentation quality of stylo silage. In all the silages, no wilting silage ensiled at 30°C had the highest butyric acid content (P < 0.05). High temperature of 40°C markedly restricted the growth of lactic acid bacteria and aerobic bacteria in silage, irrespective of wilting. The wilted silage or silage stored at low temperature had poor aerobic stability.     

Assessing the accuracy of modelling weight gain of cattle using feed efficiency data

Different methods of estimating weight gain were compared for accuracy and utility, using the amount of error variation from fitting the residual feed intake (RFI) model. Data were collected on 1481 cattle of temperate and tropically adapted breeds, feedlot-finished for the domestic (liveweight 400 kg), Korean (520 kg), or Japanese (steers only; 600 kg) markets. Cattle were tested in 36 groups over 4 years. The aim was to estimate weight gain over the period feed intake was measured, which was at least 49 days and averaged 63 days, including time for animals to adapt to the automatic feeding system. The different estimates were derived from linear and quadratic regressions of weight over time fitted to: F1) all weighings in the feedlot and F2) all weighings in the feedlot excluding atypical records in the first few weeks following feedlot entry. More complex linear and quadratic models were also fitted to weighings when feed intake was being measured, using the amount of feed eaten on the day of weighing, and previous days, to adjust for gut fill. Finally, a random regression model including general trends in the growth of each animal and short term measurement error was fitted to dataset F2 to estimate weight gain for the period feed intake was measured.The RFI equation: feed intake=intercept(s)+β_w*mean(weight^0.73)+β_g*weight gain+error (i.e. RFI) was fitted using the different weight gain estimates. Based on mean squared errors from fitting this equation, longer measurement periods generally resulted in more accurate estimates of weight gain. The increased accuracy from using all weight measurements in the feedlot outweighed the loss from not measuring over the desired time interval—i.e. the period for which feed intake was measured.     

温度和乳酸菌添加剂对燕麦青贮发酵品质及氧稳定性的影响

以乳熟期刈割的燕麦为材料,研究温度和乳酸菌添加剂对其青贮发酵品质及有氧稳定性的影响,设置无添加(对照,CK)、商业青贮添加剂Synlac I(SLI处理)和人工筛选菌株Lactobacillus rhamno-sus HT1(HT1处理)3个处理,分别置于25℃、35℃和45℃下青贮60 d后,取样测定青贮燕麦的发酵品...     

The influence of empty body weight and mature weight of the genotype on energy density of empty body gain in growing lambs

From data reported by authors who had serially determined the chemical composition of the empty body of growing lambs of a wide range of genotypes, the energy density of empty body gains (E/G) at intervals from 20 to 50 kg empty body weight (EBW) were estimated. Energy density of empty body gain was related to the EBW of these lambs and to an approximation of the mature weight for the genotype (MW) obtained from a separate data set. The addition of MW to the function relating E/G to EBW increased the r2 from .793 to .940 and reduced the residual standard deviation from .550 to .300 Mcal/kg. Combining EBW and MW as predictors of E/G provided the following function: E/G = 5.718 + .093 (EBW) - .036 (MW). Energy density of empty body gain was approximately constant across all genotypes when comparisons were made at a constant EBW/MW. Thus, both EBW and mature weight of the genotype are closely related to E/G and should be considered important for accurately predicting net energy of gain requirements for growing lambs.     

乳酸菌添加剂对王草青贮发酵品质及有氧稳定性的影响

为提高王草青贮发酵品质与有氧稳定性,对材料水分含量(高、中、低)和添加剂(无添加:CK;乳酸菌A:LA;乳酸菌B:LB;乳酸菌A与B混合添加:LA+LB)的影响进行了研究。试验结果表明,所有处理的王草发酵品质都良好,中水分含量王草的发酵品质优于高水分和低水分。LA对王草发酵品质无显著影响,但使高、中水分含量王草发酵品质达到最佳。LB与LA+LB显著增加了高、中水分含量王草的pH值(P<0.05),极显著降低了乳酸/乙酸、乳酸/总酸和乳酸含量 (P<0.01),明显增加了乙酸含量。青贮开封后,LB与LA+LB处理的王草青贮料有氧稳定性较好。     

Screening of antifreeze-thawed lactic acid bacteria and their effects on oat silage fermentation quality and aerobic stability北大核心CSCD

The effects of freeze-thaw conditions on the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of oat silage were investigated. Four strains of freeze-thaw-resistant lactic acid bacteria（LAB）with rapid growth and efficient acid production were screened from 437 strains,which had been isolated from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Based on physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence alignment,the four strains were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum 157（LP157）,L. plantarum 160（LP160）,Lactobacillus brevis 248（LB248）,and Lactobacillus pentosus 260（LPE260）. In order to investigate their effects on the fermentation quality,nutrient composition,microbial counts and aerobic stability of oat silage under freeze-thaw conditions,seven treatments were tested as follows：1）LP157;2）LP160;3）LB248;4）LPE260;5）LP160+Lactobacillus rhamnosus 753 mixture （MIX）;6）A commercial bacterial silage additive（COM）;7）The same amount of sterilized distilled water（CK）. All treatments were ensiled for 60 days at a constant temperature of 20 ℃ and under a 20 ℃/-5 ℃ regime alternating every 12 h（freeze-thaw）. LP inoculation improved silage quality：The pH and dry matter loss in silages inoculated with LP157,LP160,LB248 and LPE260 were significantly lower than CK（P<0. 05）and lactic acid and acetic acid contents were significantly higher than CK（P<0. 05）,and the growth of spoilage micro-organisms such as coliform bacteria,yeast and mold were inhibited,both with fermentation at constant 20 ℃ and under freeze-thaw conditions. After aerobic exposure for 5 days,the pH and NH3-N of silages treated with LP157,LP160,LB248 and LPE260 were significantly（P<0. 05） lower than CK,MIX and COM. The aerobic stability of oat silage was improved,especially when inoculated with LP160（70 h vs. CK 11 h）. The results show that the four screened strains can be used as effective LAB inoculants for silage preparation in the freeze-thaw environment of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. © 2022 Editorial Office of Acta Prataculturae Sinica. All rights reserved.