Volatile fatty acid proportions and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of cattle receiving grass silage ensiled with different rates of formic acid |
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Authors: | S Jaakkola V Kaunisto P Huhtanen† |
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Institution: | Department of Animal Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland;and Animal Production Research, MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Jokioinen, Finland |
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Abstract: | Timothy–meadow fescue herbage was ensiled with formic acid (FA) (expressed as 100% solution) at the rates of 0, 2, 4 or 6 L t?1. The silages were fed along with concentrates to bulls fitted with cannulae in the rumen and duodenum. The ration comprised grass silage (700 g kg?1), barley (240 g kg?1) and rapeseed meal (60 g kg?1). The application rate of FA had no effect on the site or extent of the digestion of dietary organic matter (OM) and neutral‐detergent fibre. The flow of total N at the duodenum increased linearly (P < 0·05) with application rate of FA, reflecting mainly an increased (P < 0·01) flow of microbial N. The apparent efficiency of net microbial protein synthesis in the rumen increased (P < 0·05), the proportion of propionate in the volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen was not affected (P > 0·05) but that of butyrate increased (linear and quadratic effects, P < 0·01) with increasing rate of FA. It is concluded that an increase in the rate of FA at ensiling leads to a higher utilization of energy and/or protein‐yielding substrates for rumen microbes and to a modified rumen VFA pattern with an increased proportion of butyrate. |
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Keywords: | cattle grass silage silage additive formic acid rumen fermentation |
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