Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-s2hrs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-03T04:48:52.009Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Studies on the nutritive value of silage with particular reference to the effects of energy and nitrogen supplementation in growing heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

T. W. Griffiths
Affiliation:
The Agricultural Institute, Dunsinea, Castleknock, Co.Dublin
T. A. Spillane
Affiliation:
The Agricultural Institute, Dunsinea, Castleknock, Co.Dublin
I. H. Bath
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin

Summary

Four digestibility and balance experiments were carried out in which 33 growing heifers were fed basal diets of low dry matter silage offered ad libitum, supplemented with various levels of barley and/or groundnut meal or urea.

Voluntary intake of the silages was low although apparent digestibility of D.M. was high (66–75%). There was a significant linear negative relationship between the intake of D.M. as supplement and silage D.M. intake.

Apparent digestibility of crude fibre in the silages was high (74–83%). It was depressed significantly by addition of barley but not by addition of groundnut. There was a highly significant linear relationship between the digestibility of D.M. and G.B. in the mixed silage concentrate diets used.

Metabolizable energy (M.E.) values for the silages varied from 2·04 to 2·52 Mcal/kg (8·5–10·5 MJ/kg) D.M. Supplementation with barley at approximately 1% of live weight, increased M.E. values of the mixed diets to 2·57–2·85 Mcal/kg (10·8–11·9 MJ/kg) D.M. Additional N had little effect on these values.

Nitrogen retention was significantly increased in all experiments by barley supplementation. It was further significantly increased by groundnut in three experiments and by urea in one experiment.

Multiple regression analysis showed that N retention was significantly related to both M.E. intake and intake of absorbed N, and to M.E. intake and intake of supplementary N.

Apparent availabilities of Ca and Mg in silage based diets were low and the availability of Na varied with Na intake. Supplementation with either energy or nitrogen increased apparent availability and retention of Mg but did not exert consistent effects on availability or retention of Ca or Na.

There was a highly significant linear relationship between ingested and digested Na but not for Ca or Mg. There was a highly significant linear relationship between absorbed and retained Ca and Mg, but not for Na.

Animals fed second cut silages had rather low blood glucose levels and higher than normal levels of blood ketones.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agricultural Research Council (1965). The Nutrient Requirements of Farm Livestock No. 2. Ruminants. London: Agricultural Research Council.Google Scholar
Alexander, R. H. (1960). The sampling of silage pits by coring. J. agric. Engng Res. 5, 118–22.Google Scholar
Association Of Official Agricultural Chemists (1965). Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, 10th edition.Google Scholar
Balch, C. C. (1967). Problems in predicting the value of non-protein nitrogen as a substitute for protein in rations of farm ruminants. Wld Rev. Anim. Prod. 3 (14) 8491.Google Scholar
Balch, C. C., Bartlett, S. & Johnson, V. W. (1951). Apparatus for the separate collection of faeces and urine from cows. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 41, 98101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balch, C. C., Johnson, V. W. & Machin, C. (1962). Housing and equipment for balance studies with cows. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 59, 355–8.Google Scholar
Blaxter, K. L & Clapperton, J. (1965). Prediction of the amount of methane produced by ruminants. Br. J. Nutr. 19, 511–22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blaxter, K. L., Wainman, F. W., Dewey, P. J. S., Davidson, J., Denerley, H. & Gunn, J. B. (1971). The effects of nitrogenous fertilizer on the nutritive value of artificially dried grass. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 76, 307–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Broster, W. H. & Leaver, J. D. (1969). Nutrition of the dairy heifer. Vet. Rec. 85, 654–7.Google Scholar
Broster, W. H., Tuck, V. J., Smith, T. & Johnson, V. W. (1969). Experiments on the nutrition of the dairy heifer. VIII. Observations on the effect of the energy intake on the utilization of protein in growth and in lactation. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 72, 1330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, W. O. & Jackson, N. (1967). The conservation of heavily wilted baled herbage in sealed polythene containers. J. Br. Orassld Soc. 22, 135–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Campling, R. C. (1966). The intake of hay and silage by cows. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 21, 41–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castle, M. E. & Watson, J. N. (1969). Effect of level of protein in silage on the intake and production of dairy cows. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 24, 187–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clough, P. A. & Line, C. (1968). Rep. Natn. Inst. Res. Dairy. 47.Google Scholar
Colovos, N. F., Holter, J. B., Koes, R. M., Urban, W. E. & Davis, H. A. (1970). Digestibility, nutritive value and intake of ensiled corn plant (zea mais) in cattle and sheep. J. Anim. Sci. 30, 819–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conrad, H. R. & Hibbs, J. W. (1968). Nitrogen utilization by the ruminant. Appreciation of its nutritive value. J. Dairy Sci. 51, 276–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Conrad, H. R., Hibbs, J. W. & Pratt, A. D. (1960). Efficiency of nitrogen utilization by lactating cows fed various forages. Res. Bull. Ohio agric. Exp. Stn. 861.Google Scholar
Conrad, H. R., Hibbs, J. W., Pratt, A. D. & Davis, R. R. (1961). Nitrogen metabolism in dairy cattle. 1. The influence of grain and meadow crops harvested as hay, silage or soilage on efficiency of nitrogen utilization. J. Dairy Sci. 44, 8595.Google Scholar
Conway, E. J. (1962). In Microdiffusion Analysis and Volumetric Error, p. 162. London: Crosby Lockwood.Google Scholar
Dewar, W. A. & McDonald, P. (1961). Determination of dry matter in silage by distillation with toluene. J. Sci. Fd Agric. 12, 790–5.Google Scholar
Elliot, R. C., Reed, W. D. C. & Topps, J. H. (1964). Studies of protein requirements of ruminants. 4. Liveweight changes of two breeds of African cattle given three levels of dietary protein each with varying amounts of digestible energy. Br. J. Nutr. 18, 519–28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evans, R. E. (1960). ‘Rations for Livestock’. Bull. Minist. Agric. Fish Fd. No. 48, HMSO, London.Google Scholar
Ewing, P. V. & Wells, C. A. (1915). The associative digestibility of corn silage, cottonseed meal and starch in steer rations. Bull. Ca. agric. Exp. Stn No. 115.Google Scholar
Fleck, A. (1970). Automated analysis of' nitrogenous compounds. Total nitrogen determination. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 29, 81–5.Google Scholar
Forbes, T. J. & Irwin, J. H. D. (1968). The use of barn dried hay and silage in fattening young beef cattle. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 23, 299305.Google Scholar
Forbes, T. J. & Irwin, J. H. D. (1970). Silage for winter fattening. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 25, 96103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Forbes, T. J. & Jackson, N. (1971). A study of the utilization of silages of different dry matter content by young beef cattle with or without supplementary barley. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 26, 257–64.Google Scholar
Griffiths, T. W. & Bath, I. H. (1973). Effects of energy and nitrogen supplementation of silage diets on rumen fermentation in fistulated heifers. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 80, 8996.Google Scholar
Harris, C. E. & Raymond, W. F. (1963). The effect of ensilage on drop digestibility. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 18, 204–12.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Head, M. J. & Murdoch, J. C. (1965). The influence of supplements of flaked maize on the digestibility by steers of silage, fresh lucerne and hay. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 20, 106–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hemingway, R. G., Macpherson, A., Duthie, A. K. & Brown, N. A. (1968). The mineral composition of hay and silage grown in Scotland in relation to the A.R.C. standards for the mineral requirements of dairy cattle. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 71, 53–9.Google Scholar
Hennaux, L., Vandenbyvang, P. & Bodart, C. (1965 a). Bilans en calcium, phosphore, azote et regimes a base de silages de mais et de luzerne. Bull. Inst. agron. Stns Rech. Gembloux, 33, 361–76.Google Scholar
Hennaux, L., Vandenbyvang, P. & Bodart, C. (1965 b). Bilans sodiques et regimes constitues par des silages de mais et de luzerne chez les bovines. Revue Agric., Brux. 18, 199208.Google Scholar
Hohorst, H. J. (1963). In Methods of Enzymatic Analysis, p. 266. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Huggett, A. St. J. & Nixon, D. A. (1957). Enzymatic determination of blood glucose. Biochem. J. 66, 12P.Google Scholar
Hughes, A. D. (1970). The non-protein nitrogen composition of grass silages. II. The changes occurring during the storage of silage. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 75, 421–31.Google Scholar
Hutton, J. B., Jury, K. E. & Davies, E. B. (1967). Studies on the nutritive value of New Zealand dairy pastures. V. The intake and utilization of potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen in pasture herbage by lactating dairy cattle. N.Z. Jl agric. Res. 10, 367–88.Google Scholar
Jackson, N. & Forbes, T. J. (1970). The voluntary intake by cattle of four silages differing in dry matter content. Anim. Prod. 12, 591–9.Google Scholar
Kemp, A. (1964). Sodium requirements of milking cows: Balance trials with cows on rations of freshly mown herbage and on winter rations. Neth. J. agric. Sci. 12, 263–80.Google Scholar
Kemp, A. (1966). Mineral balance in dairy cows fed on grass with special reference to magnesium and sodium. Proc. X Int. Grassld Cong. Helsinki, 411–5.Google Scholar
Lewis, D. (1959). Scientific principles of feeding farm livestock, Fmr StkBreed. p. 42.Google Scholar
Lomba, F., Paquay, R., Bienfet, V. & Lousse, A. (1968). Statistical research on the fate of dietary mineral elements in dry and lactating cows. II. Magnesium. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 71, 181–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lomba, F., Paquay, R., Bienfet, V. & Lousse, A. (1969). Statistical research on the fate of dietary mineral elements in dry and lactating cows. VI. Sodium. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 73, 453–8.Google Scholar
Long, C. (1961). In Biochemist's Handbook. London: Spon.Google Scholar
Mackenzie, D. D. S. (1967). Production and utilization of lactic acid by the ruminant. J. Dairy Sci. 50, 1772–86.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McCarrick, R. B. (1969). Feeding barley supplements with silage and hay to beef cattle. Ir. Grassld & Anim. Prod. J. 4, 4959.Google Scholar
McDonald, P., Stirling, A. C, Henderson, A. R., Dewar, W. A., Stark, G. H., Davie, W. G., Macpherson, H. T., Reid, A. M. & Slater, J. (1960). Studies on ensilage. Edinburgh School of Agriculture, Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Mcleod, D. S., Wilkins, R. J. & Raymond, W. F. (1970). The voluntary intake by sheep and cattle of silages differing in free-acid content. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 75, 311–9.Google Scholar
Munro, H. N. (1964). General aspects of the regulation of protein metabolism by diet and by hormones. In Mammalian Protein Metabolism, p. 381. London: Academic Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, L. A., Thomas, J. W. & Sykes, J. F. (1960). The acceptability of grass/legume silage by dairy cattle. Proc. 8th Int. Grassld Congr., Reading, 701–4.Google Scholar
Murdoch, J. C. (1962). The effect of type of concentrate on milk production when silage is the only roughage offered to cows. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 17, 268–73.Google Scholar
Murdoch, J. C. & Rook, J. A. F. (1963). A comparison of hay and silage for milk production. J. Dairy Res. 30, 391–7.Google Scholar
Nijkamp, H. J. (1965). Some remarks about the determination of the heat of combustion and the carbon content of urine. Proc. 3rd Symp. Energy Metabolism, p. 147–57. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Paquay, R., deBaere, R. & Lousse, A. (1972). The capacity of the mature cow to lose and recover nitrogen and the significance of protein reserves. Br. J. Nutr. 27, 2737.Google Scholar
Paquay, R., deBaere, R., Lousse, A., Lomba, F., Chavaux, G., Fumiere, I. & Bienfet, V. (1970). Effect of grass maturity stage in dry cows. 2. Digestibility of the organic components and nitrogen balance. Z. Tierphysiol. Tierernähr. Futtermittelk. 26, 332–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Paquay, R., Lomba, F., Lousse, A. & Bienfet, V. (1968). Statistical research on the fate of dietary mineral elements in dry and lactating cows. I. Calcium. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 71, 173–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reid, R. L. (1960). The determination of ketone bodies in blood. Analyst., Lond. 85, 265–9.Google Scholar
Roffler, R. E., Niedermeir, R. P. & Baumgardt, B. R. (1967). Evaluation of alfalfa-brome forage stored as wilted silage, low moisture silage and hay. J. Dairy Sci. 50, 1805–13.Google Scholar
Rook, J. A. F. & Balch, C. C. (1962). Magnesium metabolism in the dairy cow. III Intake and excretion of Ca, P, Na, K, water and dry matter in relation to the development of hypomagnesaemia. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 58, 103–8.Google Scholar
Rook, J. A. F. & Campling, R. C. (1962). Magnesium metabolism in the dairy cow. IV. The availability of magnesium in various feedstuffs. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 59, 225–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stobo, I. J. F., Roy, J. H. B. & Gaston, J. J. (1967 a). The protein requirements of the ruminant calf. I. The effect of protein content of the concentrate mixture on the performance of calves weaned at an early age. Anim. Prod. 9, 721.Google Scholar
Stobo, I. J. F., Roy, J. H. B. & Gaston, H. J. (1967 B). The protein requirements of the ruminant calf. III. The ability of the calf weaned at five weeks of age to utilize urea given as a supplement to a low protein concentrate. Anim. Prod. 9, 155–65.Google Scholar
Swanson, E. W. & Herman, H. A. (1943). The nutritive value of Korean Lespedeza proteins and the determination of biological values of proteins for growing dairy heifers. Res. Bull. Mo. agric. Exp. Stn No. 372.Google Scholar
Tayler, J. C. (1967). Nutritive value of conserved feeds for ruminants. Br. Grassld Soc. Occ. Symp. 3, 2038.Google Scholar
Tayler, J. C. (1970). Dried forages and beef production. J. Br. Grassld Soc. 25, 180–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thomas, J. W., Moore, L. A., Okamoto, M. & Sykes, J. F. (1961). A study of factors affecting rate of intake of heifers fed silage. J. Dairy Sci. 44, 1471–83.Google Scholar
Thomson, D. J. (1968). The digestibility and utilization of fresh grass, hay and silage by sheep. Anim. Prod. 10, 240.Google Scholar
Waldo, D. R., Smith, L. W., Miller, R. W. & Moore, L. A. (1969). Growth, intake and digestibility from formic acid silage versus hay. J. Dairy Sci. 52, 1609–16.Google Scholar
Wilson, R. K. (1970). A thin layer chromatographia method for the determination of lactic acid in silage. Ir. J. agric. Res. 9, 1276–7.Google Scholar