Limited data about the effects of various factors on forage quality and
β-carotene content of rye produced in Korea are available, so this study
investigated the effects of two preservation methods. Samples were collected
from rye harvested every 5 days between April 25 and May 31, and comparisons
were done among rye silage wilted for different periods of time and hay of three
growth stages of rye. For the silage, dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber
(ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents increased with advanced
maturity of rye, whereas crude protein,
in vitro
dry matter
digestibility (IVDMD), total digestible nutrients (TDN), relative feed value
(RFV), and DM loss decreased (
p
< 0.0001). Wilting
increased the DM content and pH value significantly (
p
<
0.0001). Silage harvested at the heading stage had the lowest pH value (4.45),
propionic acid (0.83 g/kg DM), butyric acid (0 g/kg DM), and fungi and yeast
populations (3.70 Log CFU/g of fresh matter [FM]); conversely, it had the
highest lactic acid (9.7 g/kg DM), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (6.87 Log CFU/g of
FM), total microorganisms (TM) (7.33 Log CFU/g of FM), and Flieg’s score
(70) (
p
< 0.0001). Wilting elevated LAB and TM
populations, but it had no consistent effect on other fermentation products.
Both delayed harvest and prolonged wilting decreased β-carotene content.
Rye silage harvested around May 9 (heading stage) with 24 h of wilting was
preferred for highland, Pyeongchang. For rye hay, advanced maturity decreased DM
loss, IVDMD, TDN, and RFV, but it increased DM, ADF, and NDF significantly
(
p
< 0.05). β-carotene was decreased by delay
of hay-making. Consequently, to attain lower DM loss and higher hay quality, the
harvest date of May 9 (heading stage) is recommended.