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Abstract

In two repeated x 3 Latin Square design trials, dairy cows have been fed bi-crop pea-oat silage to investigate the effect of maturity stage and harvest strategy on feed intake and milk production. In experiment I the crop was harvested when the peas were at the flat pod (cut 1) or full pod (cut 2) stage. At the first cut half of the forage was wilted and half was acid-treated with a 2:1 mixture of formic and propionic acid. At the second cut all of the forage was acid-treated. Voluntary intake was highest for the cut 2 silage. In experiment 2 the crop was harvested when the peas were at the flat pod (cut 1), pod fill (cut 2) or full pod (cut 3) stage. The crop was pre-wilted overnight and then acid-treated. Voluntary intake was highest for the cut 3 silage, a [though the in vivo apparent digestibility was lowest. Milk and protein yield increased with crop maturity. It was concluded that pre-wilting and acid treatment produces good quality, palatable pea-oat bi-crop silage. In terms of feed intake and milk production, the optimal time of harvest was when peas were at the pod fill stage and the oats were in the late milk to early dough stage.

Keywords

acid treatment; Avena sativa; ensiling; 3 x 3 Latin square; milk production; Pisum sativum; wilting

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2006, volume: 56, number: 45720, pages: 137-147
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

SLU Authors

  • Rondahl, Tomas

    • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

  • Martinsson, Kjell

    • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064700701284936

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/14399