Effects of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH,ruminal fermentation and performance of growing Holstein‐Zebu cross steers

Our objective was to determine the effect of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH, ruminal fermentation and animal performance. Thirty Holstein‐Zebu cross steers were allotted to feeding treatments for 188 days in a randomized complete block design including: fresh grass‐total mixed ration (GTMR; pH 4.7), grass silage‐TMR (STMR; pH 4.0) and fermented‐TMR (FTMR; pH 3.5). Average daily gain for STMR was greatest during the first 3 months period; however, that for FTMR tended to be greater than GTMR during the second 3 months period (P < 0.10). During the second period dry matter intake for STMR was the greatest (P < 0.01), but feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) and cost per gain (P < 0.01) were the least for FTMR. Protein digestibility tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for FTMR than STMR and fat digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) for GTMR and FTMR than STMR. FTMR had less (P < 0.01) ruminal NH₃‐N content than STMR. Total volatile fatty acids post‐feeding was greatest for GTMR (P < 0.01). Ruminal proportions of acetic and butyric acids were greater for FTMR than GTMR (P < 0.05); in contrast, propionic acid was greater for GTMR (P < 0.05). Utilizing silage or total ration fermentation did not negatively impact on ruminal pH. STMR and FTMRs can be used to maintain performance of growing crossbred Holstein steers.