. Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Effect of level of surface-spoiled silage on the nutritive value of corn silagebased rations AbstractTwelve ruminally cannulated crossbred steers were used to determine the effects of level of surface-spoiled silages on dry matter (DM) intake and nutrient digestibilities of corn silage-based rations. Irrigated corn was harvested at the 80% milkline stage of maturity and ensiled in 3-ft-deep, pilot-scale, bunker silos and a 9-ftdiameter AgBag®. After 90 days, the bunkers were sealed with a single sheet of polyethylene, and this silage was designated "spoiled". The silage in the AgBag was designated "normal". The four rations contained 90% silage and 10% supplement (DM basis). The silages in the rations were: A) 100% normal; B) 75% normal: 25% spoiled; C) 50% normal: 50% spoiled; and D) 25% normal: 75% spoiled. Dry matter intake decreased in a linear manner as the proportion of spoiled silage increased from 0 to 75%. Steers consuming the normal silage ration had higher DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF digestibilities than those fed the three rations that contained spoiled silage. The addition of spoiled silage also had negative associative effects on nutrient digestibilities, and the integrity of the forage mat in the rumen was destroyed partially by even the lowest level of surface spoilage. SummaryTwelve ruminally cannulated crossbred steers were used to determine the effects of level of surface-spoiled silages on dry matter (DM) intake and nutrient digestibilities of corn silage-based rations. Irrigated corn was harvested at the 80% milkline stage of maturity and ensiled in 3-ft-deep, pilot-scale, bunker silos and a 9-ft-diameter AgBag ® . After 90 days, the bunkers were sealed with a single sheet of polyethylene, and this silage was designated "spoiled". The silage in the AgBag was designated "normal". The four rations contained 90% silage and 10% supplement (DM basis). The silages in the rations were: A) 100% normal; B) 75% normal: 25% spoiled; C) 50% normal: 50% spoiled; and D) 25% normal: 75% spoiled. Dry matter intake decreased in a linear manner as the proportion of spoiled silage increased from 0 to 75%. Steers consuming the normal silage ration had higher DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF digestibilities than those fed the three rations that contained spoiled silage. The addition of spoiled silage also had negative associative effects on nutrient digestibilities, and the integrity of the forage mat in the rumen was destroyed partially by even the lowest level of surface spoilage.

Agronomic and silage quality traits were measure d for 37 forage sorghum cultivars and three grain sorghum hybrids. The 1995 growing season was characterized by above average rainfall in the spring and early summer, and a hard freeze on September 22. At the time of the freeze, 20 cultivars had reached the early-milk to earlydough stage, 12 were in the bloom stage, and the remaining eight were still in the early-to late-boot stage . The late planting date and low plant populations resulted in below-normal whole-plant D M and grain yields. Plant height s for the grain sorghums were near normal, but the forage sorghums were well below expected plant heights. The preensiled, whole-plan t DM contents of the 37 forage sorghums ranged from 23.0 to 39.9%. As expected , the silage nutritive value traits of CP, NDF, and ADF were most favorable for the three grain sorghum hybrids and least favorable for the eight forage sorghum hybrids that were still in the boot stage when the freeze occurred. SummaryAgronomi c and silage quality traits were measure d for 37 forage sorghum cultivars and three grain sorghum hybrids. The 1995 growing season was characterized by above average rainfall in the spring and early summer, and a hard freeze on September 22. At the time of the freeze, 20 cultivars had reached the earlymilk to early-dough stage, 12 were in the bloom stage, and the remaining eight were still in the early-to late-boot stage . The late planting date and low plant populations resulted in below-normal whole-plant D M and grain yields. Plant height s for the grain sorghums were near normal, but the forage sorghums were well below expected plant heights. The preensiled, whole-plan t DM contents of the 37 forage sorghums ranged from 23.0 to 39.9%. As expected , the silage nutritive value traits of CP, NDF, and ADF were most favorable for the three grain sor ghum hybrids and least favorable for the eight forag e sorghum hybrids that were still in the boot stage when the freeze occurred.

Agronomic and silage quality traits were examined for 12 winter cereals harvested at two stages of maturity. Forage dry matter (DM) yields were higher at the mid-dough than the early-heading stage. Post 90 barley had the highest whole-plant DM yield at the early-heading stage, and Presto triticale had the highest yield at the mid-dough stage. Newton wheat had the lowest whole-plant DM yield at both stages of maturity. The first cutting of all varieties originally was intended to be at the late-boot stage, but harvest was delayed by frequent rainfall and wet soils in May, and field-wilting conditions were less than ideal. The range in heads emerge d was 23 to 87%, and the range in the silage DM content at early-heading stage was 19.2 to 46.4%. Both crude protein (CP) and ash contents were higher for the early-heading cereals than the mid-dough. All 24 silages were of relatively low forage quality, as evidenced by high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) percentages. Only five silages, the early-heading stage Tomahawk wheat; mid-dough stage Presto triticale; and the mid-dough stage Kanby, Post, and Post 90 barleys, had less than 60% NDF and 40% ADF. Extensive lodging occurred in virtually all cereals before the mid-dough stage harvest. SummaryAgronomic and silage quality traits were examined for 12 winter ce reals harvested at two stages of maturity. Forage dry matter (DM) yields were higher at the mid-dough than the early-heading stage. Post 90 barley had the highest whole-plant DM yield at the earlyheading stage, and Presto triticale had the highest yield at the mid-dough stage. Newton wheat had the lowest whole-plant DM yield at both stages of maturity. The first cutting of all varieties originally was intended to be at the late-boot stage, but harvest was delayed by frequent rainfall and wet soils in May, and fieldwilting conditions were less than ideal. The range in heads emerge d was 23 to 87%, and the range in the silage DM content at early-heading stage was 19.2 to 46.4%. Both crude protein (CP) and ash contents were higher for the earlyheading cereals than the mid-dough. All 24 silages were of relatively low forage quality, as evidenced by high neutral det ergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) percentages. Only five silages, the early-heading stage Tomahawk wheat; mid-dough stage Presto triticale; and the mid-dough stage Kanby, Post, and Post 90 barleys, had less than 60% NDF and 40% ADF. Extensive lodging occurred in virtually all cereals before the mid-dough stage harvest.

Two silage bacterial inoculants from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. were evaluated using secondcutting alfalfa. The Pioneer brand 1174® inoculant and a Pioneer experimental inoculant each increased the rate and efficiency of the ensiling process in both farm-scale and laboratory-scale silos. The two inoculants increase d the DM recovery in the farm-scale silos compared to the untreated silage. Steers fed the experimental inoculant-treated silage gained faster (P<. 10) (2.56 vs. 2.37 lb per day), had a 4.0% higher DM intake, and were 4.3% more efficient than steers fed the untreated silage. The 1174-treated silage supported a numerically but not statistically better steer performance than the control silage. When the DM recovery results were combined with the feed per gain results, the silages with 1174 and experimental inoculant produced 5.3 and 10.5 lb more steer gain per ton of crop ensiled, respectively, than the control silage.

Four important silage management practices that are in the control of livestock producers and that are sometimes poorly implemented or overlooked entirely include: inoculating, packing, sealing, and managing the feedout face. SummaryFour important silage management practices that are in the control of livestock producers and that are sometimes poorly implemented or overlooked entirely include: inoculating, packing, sealing, and managing the feedout face.