Effects of Mechanical Conditioning on Wilting of Alfalfa and Italian Ryegrass for Ensiling

Abstract

Conditioning may greatly increase the drying rate of cut forage during the initial stages of drying. Such results may be particularly useful for silage systems (as opposed to haymaking). This study was conducted to determine the drying rate and losses in six field wilting trials on pure stands of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) when treated with different types of mower-conditioners (rubber rolls; plastic or steel flails). Drying was measured by calculating the water loss rate from two subsequent hourly weights of swath portions placed on trays. Dry matter (DM) losses were estimated on 1.2-m lengths of swaths immediately after cutting. The steel flail conditioner provided faster drying than the other conditioning types for both crops. The effect of the rubber roll conditioner was limited due to the swath structure, especially with forage surface densities higher than 0. 7 kg D M m -z. Tedding positively interacted with the conditioning treatment to increase the drying rate, especially when forage was conditioned with the rubber roll machine. Shatter losses from alfalfa were higher for the flail conditioner, ranging from 3.6 to 10.2%, and with greater loss of crude protein. The DM losses were always lower than 2.5% for Italian ryegrass. The most severe conditioning (steel flails) followed by tedding is appropriate for grass, as it significantly reduces the wilting time without affecting DM loss. However, a less severe conditioning (rubber rolls) without tedding is more appropriate for wilting alfalfa, to avoid excessive leaf and protein loss.

Silage review: Factors affecting dry matter and quality losses in silages

“…Dry matter losses, especially leaves, were directly related to the forage DM content at the time of treatment and the severity of the conditioning. The white portion of bar graph indicates when good management practices are used; the light gray portion is the range of additional losses associated with nonoptimal management practices; and the dark gray portion is the additional losses when no covering is applied (based on Borreani et al, 1999;Bichert et al, 2000;Rankin and Undersander, 2000;Jones, 2001;Muck et al, 2003;Rotz, 2005).…”

“…Figure 2. Dry matter losses (%) due to mechanical treatments of an untedded alfalfa forage at 3 different times during drying (data adapted from Borreani et al, 1999). DM.…”

“…The main stages where losses occur are field harvesting, silo respiration and fermentation, effluent production, and oxygen exposure during storage and feed-out phases. Figure 1 reports the minimum value of the DM losses that occur in each stage when good management practices are used and high values of loss when less than good management is performed or no coverings are used (Borreani et al, 1999;Bichert et al, 2000;Rankin and Undersander, 2000;Jones, 2001;Muck et al, 2003;Rotz, 2005). Although some losses are unavoidable, good management practices can reduce or compensate for these losses to provide the quality forage needed for each animal group (Rotz, 2003).…”

The Effect of Molasses Addition as a Glucose Source on the Physic-chemical Characteristics of Elephant Grass Silage

“…Potensi kehilangan BK selama tahap pembuatan silase dapat diminimalkan melalui penerapan praktek manajemen yang baik selama pembuatan silase, menghindari pengawetan bahan pakan di lapangan, meminimalkan respirasi dan fermentasi bahan pakan melalui percepatan proses pembuatan silase, meminimalkan respirasi fermentasi dalam silo, dan menghindari pembusukan silase (Borreani et al 1999;Bichert et al2000;Rankin & Undersander 2000;Jones 2001;Muck et al 2003;Rotz 2005).…”