The effect of type of additive on rumen fermentation and digestion of grass silage in cattle

Abstract

Four grass silages made from a second cut cocksfoot-timothy grass were ensiled with the application of water, i. e., without additive (NA), formic acid (FA), lignosulfonate + formic acid + acetic acid (LFA) and cellulase + glucose oxidase enzymes (E), The silages were fed at maintenance level to four dry cows, which had been equipped with a rumen cannula and a simple T-shaped duodenal cannula, in a digestibility experiment designed as a 4x4 latin square. The silages and a mixture of barley and oats (1:1) were given at a ratio of 70:30 on a dry matter basis. All the silages were well preserved, but fermentation in the silo was more restricted in silages ensiled with acid-based additives. The enzyme treatment resulted in reduced levels of cell wall contents compared to the other silages. The apparent digestibilities of organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre with E silage were higher (P