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A note on the storage of sodium hydroxide-treated whole-crop barley beneath grass and lucerne silage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. Moore  and
C. Harris
A. Moore
Affiliation:
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Government Buildings, Coley Park, Reading RG1 6DT
C. Harris
Affiliation:
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, Government Buildings, Coley Park, Reading RG1 6DT
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Abstract

One hundred tonnes of spring-sown barley harvested as whole crop were treated on a commercial farm with pearl sodium hydroxide at 46 g/kg dry matter.

The treated material was stored in a silage clamp beneath grass and lucerne silage. A thin layer of grass, cut and wilted to hay-making dry matter, was placed immediately on top of the barley to absorb any silage effluent.

Monthly samples were taken for microbiological examination and chemical analysis throughout winter storage, while the material was fed to British Friesian dairy cows. There was no evidence of fermentation by clostridia in the whole-crop barley or wilted grass and there was no spoilage of the exposed feeding face. The treatment increased the in vitro organic matter digestibility and the in vitro digestible organic matter in the dry matter of the whole-crop barley. No excessive urination or other ill effects were observed in the stock.

The method proved practical for the satisfactory storage and feeding of sodium hydroxide-treated whole-crop barley.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , February 1983 , pp. 143 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1983

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References

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