A crossover study was performed using 24 dairy cows to investigate whether pure ethanol in concentrations that could be found in well-fermented silages influenced milk composition or flavor. Cows were fed a standard ration of well-fermented grass silage for ad libitum intake and high moisture barley and a protein concentrate in restricted amounts. A daily dose of ethanol (600 g) was divided into three meals/d and fed with grass silage. When cows received ethanol, milk yields decreased slightly, but milk fat and protein concentrations increased so that energy-corrected milk yield increased by 0.9 kg/d. Milk concentrations of lactose and urea decreased, concentrations of ethanol and acetone increased, concentrations of free fatty acids increased slightly, and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were unaffected. The proportion of palmitic acid in milk fat increased, and the proportion of unsaturated acids decreased. Organoleptic milk quality was reduced because of an increase in milk tainted by feed flavors. The off-flavor could not be attributed solely to the ethanol transmitted to the milk. Precautions should be taken to avoid extensive production of ethanol during fermentation of grass silage and other feeds that are to be fed to dairy cows.

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The effects of two commercial cellulase/hemicelluiase enzymes derived from Trichoderma reesei on silage fermentation were investigated in three laboratory-scale experiments. In Experiment 1, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was treated with enzyme A at the rates of 0, U-125, 0-250,0-500 an'd 0'750 cm^ kg"'. In Experiment 2, Italian ryegrass {Lolium muliiflorum) was treated with the same enzyme at the rates of 0, 0-250 and 0-500 cm-'

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The effects of two commercial cellulase/hemicellulase enzymes derived from Trichoderma reesei on silage fermentation and aerobic stability were investigated in three laboratory-scale experiments. In Experiment 1, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was treated wiih enzyme A at the rates of 0. 0-125, 0-250, 0-500 and 0-750 cm^ kg"'. In Experiment 2, Italian ryegrass (Lolium muhiflorum) was treated with the same enzyme at the rates of 0, 0-250 and 0-500 cm-' kg""' and with 85% formic acid {3-5 cm^ kg-'). In Experiment 3, perennial ryegrass was ensiled untreated, with enzyme A (0-250 and 0-500 cm-"* kg ') and with 0-200 and 0-400 cm^ kg"' enzyme B which also contained glucose oxidase. All silages were well preserved. Aerobic deterioration was related to numbers of lactate assimilating yeasts. In Experiment 1, all silages were stable over a 4-day period. In Experiment 2, enzyme A treatment delayed the temperature rise compared with the untreated control (P<0-05), whereas the formic acid-treated silage was stable. In Experiment 3, the temperature rise in the silage treated with the higher level of enzyme B occurred one day later than in the other silages (P<0-05).