The Effects of Different Cutting Stage and Crushed Barley Applications on Silage Properties of Annual Forage Crops Mixture

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of barley crushing rates applied to annual legume-grain multi mix harvested in different phenological periods on silage quality and feed value. In the research, 35% Hungarian vetch + 35% fodder pea + 10% oat + 10% triticale + 10% wheat mixture was used as silage material. Hay harvesting was carried out in three different stages (before flowering, 50% flowering, the full flowering period of fodder pea). To determine the effects of the produced roughage on silage quality and feed value, silages were prepared by applying barley crushed at four different doses (0, 5%, 10%, and 15%). Silage samples were left to ferment in vacuum bags at 25 ± 2 oC for 60 days. In the samples taken from the silages opened at the end of fermentation; pH, dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus analyzes were made. The quality of the roughage was determined by calculating the Fleig score (FS) and relative feed values of the silages. According to the research results, the delay of the cutting stage affected the nutrient content, cell wall components, and fermentation of the silage. While the FS increased with increasing barley ratio, the relative feed value (RFV) was in the best quality. The addition of crushed barley at the level of 15% had a positive effect on the fermentation and silage quality of the silages. The highest RFV value was obtained from the samples harvested in full flowering and 15% crushed barley added. As a result, the silage to be made by adding 15% crushed barley to the mixture of forage crops mowed during the flowering period will be able to meet the quality green fodder needs of the animals in the winter season.

Keywords

• fleig score
• cutting stage
• crushed barley
• mineral matter
• relative feed value