Fermentation patterns of small-bale silage and haylage produced as a feed for horses

Abstract

The fermentation quality of small-bale silage and haylage for feeding to horses in Sweden, and using a conventional high-density hay baler, was investigated in two experiments. Treatments studied were use of additives (inoculants containing lactic acid bacteria and a chemical additive consisting of hexamethylenetetramine, sodium nitrate, sodium benzoate and sodium propionate), the influence of dry-matter (DM) content of wilted herbage and the effect of number of stretch film layers on fermentation pattern and aerobic stability. All silages and haylages were made from predominantly Timothy swards and were well fermented as indicated by low levels of ammonia and butyric acid. Values of pH were higher and concentrations of organic acids were lower in haylages than in the silages. This was not considered to be indicative of a poor fermentation in the haylage but of a restricted fermentation due to the high DM content of the herbage. The additives enhanced aerobic storage stability because of inhibition of mould growth. The only statistically significant effect of varying the number of stretch film layers was a higher content of CO2 inside the bales when ten layers of stretch film were applied compared with six layers

Keywords

silage; haylage; bales; additives; horse; fermentation pattern

Published in

Grass and Forage Science
2005, Volume: 60, number: 2, pages: 109-118 Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING LTD

SLU Authors

• Müller, Cecilia

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science
Agricultural Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.2005.00457.x

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/6912