Effects of Different Cutting Height on Nutritional Quality of Whole Crop Barley Silage and Feed Value on Hanwoo Heifers

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effects of different cutting height on nutritive value, fermentation quality, in vitro and in vivo digestibility of whole crop barley silage. Whole crop barley forage (Yuyeon hybrid) was harvested at height of 5, 10, and 15 cm from the ground level. Each cutting height was rolled to make round bale and ensiled for 100 days. After 100 days of ensiling, pH of silage was lower (p<0.05) in 5 cm, but no difference between 10 and 15 cm of cutting height. The content of lactate and lactate to acetate ratio were increased (p<0.05) in 5 cm of cutting height, whereas the acetate content was higher (p<0.05) in 10 and 15 cm than that of 5 cm cutting height. Aerobic stability was greater (p<0.05) in silages of 10 and 15 cm of cutting height. Three total mixed rations (TMR) were formulated with silages from the three different cutting heights (TMR5, TMR10, and TMR15) incorporated as forage at 70:30 ratio with concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis). In vitro dry matter digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the TMR5 and TMR10 than that in TMR15, whereas in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the TMR10 and TMR15 than that in TMR5. Concentration of NH3-N was highest (p<0.05) in the TMR10 followed by TMR15 and TMR5. Total volatile fatty acid was decreased (p<0.05) with increased cutting height. The digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber were highest (p<0.05) in TMR15, than those in TMR5 and TMR10, whereas acid detergent fiber digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in TMR5 than that in TMR10. The results showed that increasing cutting height, at least up to 10 to 15 cm, of whole crop barley forage at harvest (Yuyeon) may be beneficial for making silage for TMR formulation and increasing digestibility of DM and NDF.

Grain Yield, Forage Yield and Forage Quality of Dual Purpose Wheat as Affected by Cutting Heights and Sowing Date

“…This situation might be associated with increasing fresh leaves proportions in higher cutting heights. Unlike the result of the our present study, Song et al (2009) and Kim et al (2016) reported that the effects of cutting heights were insignificant on forage protein content. Protein contents of deeper cuttings were lower while dry matter yields were higher.…”

Effects of short-term fasting on in vivo rumen microbiota and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics

“…Such techniques are based on the ruminal fluid obtained from live animals equipped with permanent rumen cannulae and require several steps, including the removal of feed particles via muslin, cheesecloth, or centrifugation. Microbial activity is assumed to reach a peak after feeding; accordingly, numerous studies have examined the rumen contents collected post feeding [2–4]. However, some studies have noted that the ruminal fluid might mask the true effect of feed or feed additives if these effects are large.…”

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) as a roughage source for beef cattle

“…Kenaf used in this study was finely cut (<15 mm) and ensiled before experimental use because fresh kenaf was not suitable for direct feeding to animals because i) woody stems are highly lignified, which is closely related to poor rumen degradability [ 16 , 17 ], and ii) high moisture content has negative effects on long-term storage [ 18 ]. Rice straw silage and ryegrass silage are widely used as roughage sources in Korea, and rice straw is generally regarded as low in nutrient content [ 19 ].…”