Assessment of Maize Silage Quality under Different Pre-Ensiling Conditions

Abstract

Maize silage suffers from several factors that affect the final quality and, to some extent, pre-ensiled conditions that can be potentially tuned during harvesting. After assessing new indices for silage quality under lab-scale conditions, several trials have been conducted to find associations between fresh maize characteristics and silage features. Among the first, we included field input levels, FAO class, maturity stage, use of bacterial inoculants, sealing delay and chemical traits, whereas, among the latter, we assessed density and porosity, pH, fermentative profile, dry matter loss and aerobic stability. The trials were conducted using vacuum bags or mini silo buckets. More than 1500 maize samples harvested in Northeast Italy were analysed during the 2016–2022 period. Moreover, to evaluate silage aerobic stability, the fermentative profile and temperature were measured 14 days after the opening of the silo. The association between silage quality and aerobic stability was assessed, and a prognostic risk score was used to calculate the probability of aerobic instability. The dataset could provide baseline information to promote the continuous improvement of maize silage management from different botanical and crop fields, thus improving agronomic and animal farm resource allocation from a precision agriculture perspective.

The Effects of Harvesting Period and Inoculant on Second-Crop Maize Silage Fermentative Quality

“…The NIR calibration performances were reported in previous studies [3,15]. The reference methods used to calibrate the NIR instrument were detailed and described in previous studies [16,17] and further reported together with those for the fermentative profile. The AOAC methods [18,19] were used according to #934.01 and #942.05 for DM andCA and#2001.11, #2003.05, and #996.11 for CP, EE, and starch, respectively.…”

“…aNDF and ADF were determined using an AnkomFiber analyzer (Ankom Technology Corporation, Fairport, NY, USA); aNDF was identified with sodium sulfite, heat-stable alpha-amylase, and F57 bags with a 25 µm pore size and included residual ash [20,21], while non-sequential ADF and sa-lignin were evaluated according to Vogel et al 1999 [22]. Lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids were extracted in an acid solution (0.6 N sulfuric acid) and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography [17], while NH 3 -N (ammonia) and pH were determined as detailed in a previous study [5]. The WSC, ethanol, and mannitol were also determined using high-performance liquid chromatography after extraction in an aqueous solution.…”

Rapid pH Value Detection in Secondary Fermentation of Maize Silage Using Hyperspectral Imaging

“…Maize silage has become an important source of roughage for ruminants globally due to its nutritional richness, good palatability, high digestibility, and long shelf life. It is also an exemplary feed for the development of animal husbandry in China [2,3].…”