Effect of Feed Value and Fermentative Quality According to Harvesting Time of Barley and Wheat Grain Silage

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to determine the optimal harvesting time for barley and wheat grain for the production of fermented grain feeds, and to investigate their fermentation quality according to harvesting time. As a result, grain moisture content was decreased with late harvest, whereas spike weight ratio and 1000 grain weight were increased with prolonged period after heading. Grain yielding was increased with late harvesting time significantly at p<0.05. Crude protein content was increased with late harvesting time, but crude fiber content was decreased. Crude fat and ash content were slightly decreased, but not statistically significant. Comparing the effects of fermentation on feed value of winter cereal grain, the approximate compositions were slightly increased after fermentation, but the difference was not significant. Fermentations resulted in increasing the pH value of winter cereal grain silage with late harvesting time, but decreasing the lactic acid content (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in acetic acid, and butyric acid was not detected. Considering the quantity and quality of fermentation, barley and wheat can be used for winter cereal grain silage when they were harvested at 35 days and 40-45 days after heading, respectively.