Silages containing bioactive forage legumes: a promising protein‐rich feed source for growing lambs

Abstract

Forage legumes that contain secondary compounds are considered to be less susceptible to proteolysis than other legumes, with improved silage quality and possibly improved animal performance. This was investigated feeding five groups of growing lambs for 10 weeks, five silages composed of pure timothy (T; Phleum pratense), mixtures of T with red clover (Trifolium pratense; T‐RC, 50/50 on DM basis), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia; T‐SF), or both (T‐RC‐SF, 50/25/25), or a mixture of the two legumes (RC‐SF). Including SF and/or RC in silages improved silage fermentation as shown by higher lactic acid and lower soluble N and NH3 contents than in T silage. Voluntary intakes were higher with all the RC‐containing silages than with T and T‐SF. The T‐SF silage had the lowest, and RC‐containing silages the highest average values for daily gain, feed conversion efficiency, live weight and carcass weight. The differing effects of these silages cannot be totally explained by differences in their nutritive value and so may be due to their bioactive compounds impacting differently on feeding motivation and digestive efficiency. These results suggest that including RC in silages is a promising strategy to combine improved animal performance with reduced environmental pressure.

Benefits of Condensed Tannins in Forage Legumes Fed to Ruminants: Importance of Structure, Concentration, and Diet Composition

“…A number of studies with sainfoin and birdsfoot trefoil have also yielded contradictory results, often with lower or no production benefits measured when compared with CT-free controls (Thomson et al, 1971;Theodoridou et al, 2010;Aufrère et al, 2013;Azuhnwi et al, 2013b;Copani et al, 2016;Girard et al, 2016aGirard et al, , 2016b. In addition to the constraints mentioned above (dietary crude protein concentration, or whether other nutrients are limiting production), variations in CT traits within germplasms may also affect animal responses .…”

“…Grosse Brinkhaus et al, 2016 Perly (ensiled with timothy grass) ND ND Lower growth rate of lambs than on red clover mixtures Copani et al, 2016 Perly (ensiled) ND ND Condensed tannins (CTs) had no effect on N retention compared with the +polyethylene glycol (PEG) control Theodoridou et al, 2012 Shoshone (grazed) ND ND Comparable weight gains by beef calves grazing sainfoin and alfalfa diets Maughan et al, 2014;Villalba et al, 2015 Renumex (grazed) ND ND Growth rate and slaughter data were the same for sainfoin-and alfalfa-fed lambs Karnezos et al, 1994 No details (fresh forage) ND ND CTs in sulla, but not in sainfoin, improved amino acid absorption compared with the +PEG control Bermingham et al, 2001 Zeus/Esparcette (ensiled) ND ND Dairy cows: higher milk yield compared with grass silage Huyen et al, 2016b UK accessions (Sombourne, Hampshire, Cotswold Common) 29:71-33:67…”

The effects of lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from various substrates on the fermentation quality of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in Tibet

“…Common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) is widely cultivated and abundantly available in Tibet. As legume herbage, common vetch could provide a good source of proteins with multiple positive effects on both animal nutrition and the environment (Copani, Niderkorn, Anglard, Quereuil, & Ginane, ). However, the Achilles heel of conserving legume herbages is its relatively low concentration of fermentable carbohydrates in combination with the high buffering capacity (BC) and the low dry‐matter (DM) content (McDonald, Henderson, & Heron, ).…”

Inclusion of alfalfa improves nutritive value and in vitro digestibility of various straw–grass mixed silages in Tibet

“…Tall fescue has relatively high water-soluble carbohydrate content; thus, ensiling straws with tall fescue could provide substrate for extensive fermentation, albeit its protein content is relatively low (Yuan et al, 2012). As legume herbage, alfalfa could provide a good source of protein with multiple positive effects (Copani, Niderkorn, Anglard, Quereuil, & Ginane, 2016). It was thus hypothesized that a combination of sugar-rich crop, such as tall fescue, and protein-rich crop, such as alfalfa, would ensile successfully and serve to produce quality silage adequate for the maintenance and production of dairy cows (Kennelly & Weinberg, 2003).…”