Intake, Digestibility, and Nitrogen Balance of Steers Fed Gamagrass Baleage Topdressed at Two Rates of Nitrogen and Harvested at Sunset and Sunrise

Sauve, Alaina Kathleen; Huntington, G. B.; Whisnant, C.S.; Burns, J. C.

doi:10.2135/cropsci2009.02.0105

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…For CP, NDSCP, and NDICP, the concentration of each fraction increased with both linear ( P < 0.001) and quadratic ( P ≤ 0.007) effects (Table 4); the quadratic character of each response was created by limited responses to the greatest N fertilization rates. Other studies have reported positive effects of N fertilization on concentrations of CP within eastern gamagrass silages (Sauvé et al, 2010; Brejda et al, 1994), and for a variety of perennial warm‐season grasses harvested in Florida (Johnson et al, 2001). Although concentrations of NDICP and ADICP increased with N fertilization, the proportion that each contributed to the total CP pool either tended to decline linearly ( P = 0.082) or declined linearly ( P < 0.001), respectively; these responses occurred largely because N captured by eastern gamagrass plants was disproportionately partitioned within the cell solubles (NDSCP).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Unique Dairy Applications of Eastern Gamagrass Forages in Central Wisconsin: II. Nutritive Value and Energy Density

2010

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Recently, perennial warm‐season grasses have received considerable interest, largely through bioenergy initiatives, but their suitability for limiting caloric intake by fiber‐demanding livestock classes, such as dairy replacement heifers (Bos taurus) and/or dry cows has not been explored. Our objectives were to evaluate eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.] forages harvested from nine single‐ or double‐harvest systems with four N fertilization regimes for macromineral, protein, and fiber composition, and then to estimate the energy densities for these forages by the summative approach. Across the 3‐yr trial, concentrations of neutral‐detergent fiber (NDF) from single‐harvest systems increased with mostly linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P = 0.010) effects of harvest date, reaching maximum concentrations ranging from 746 to 801 g kg−1 by early or mid‐August. Similarly, concentrations of lignin increased with delayed harvest dates across single‐harvest systems in predominantly linear (P < 0.001) patterns. Generally, concentrations of lignin were lower than reported for eastern gamagrass forages grown at more southerly latitudes, and ranged from 37.5 to 46.0 g kg−1 in mid‐August. As a result, estimates of total digestible nutrients (TDN) determined by the acid‐detergent lignin option for calculating truly digestible fiber remained relatively high through mid‐August (582 g kg−1). Adjusting truly digestible fiber on the basis of the alternate in vitro 48‐h neutral‐detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) approach resulted in reduced TDN estimates for eastern gamagrass. In northern climates, eastern gamagrass forages have large concentrations of NDF, and could be used to dilute dietary energy for livestock species with low or moderate energy requirements.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Unique Dairy Applications of Eastern Gamagrass Forages in Central Wisconsin: II. Nutritive Value and Energy Density

2010

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“…Because the rate and extent of fermentation for field-wilted, baled silages are inherently restricted, enhancement of fermentation through creative management strategies is encouraged. Huntington and Burns (2007) and Sauvé et al (2010) have evaluated the concept of harvesting perennial warmseason (C4) grasses during late afternoon versus early morning, partially attempting to improve WSC concentrations within pre-baled silages, which potentially may improve the substrate pool for silage fermentation, as well as provide some synchronization of energy with the release of ruminally degraded protein in steers consuming these silages. Although a PM harvest increased concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates in both studies relative to AM-harvested switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L.], or both, the composition of fermentation products within direct-cut baled silages was not consistently improved.…”

Section: Management Considerations For Baled Silagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silage review: Recent advances and future technologies for baled silages

Coblentz

Akins

2018

Journal of Dairy Science

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Although the concept of ensiling large-round or large-square bales dates back to the late 1970s, many refinements have been made to both equipment and management since that time, resulting in much greater acceptance by small or mid-sized dairy or beef producers. This silage preservation technique is attractive to producers for several reasons, but the primary advantage is a reduced risk of weather damage to valuable forage crops compared with preservation as dry hay. Most core principles for making high-quality precision-chopped silages also apply to baled silages; among these, establishing and subsequently maintaining anaerobiosis are priorities. For baled silages, these priorities are critical, in part because recommended moisture concentrations (45 to 55%) are drier, and particle length is much longer. These factors act to restrict the rate and extent of silage fermentation, often resulting in less production of desirable fermentation acids and a greater (less acidic) final pH. Within this context, preservation of baled silages can be improved by applying polyethylene (PE) film wraps promptly, using an appropriate number of PE film layers (6 to 8), selecting a storage site free of sharp objects or other debris, and by monitoring wrapped bales closely for evidence of puncture, particularly by birds or vermin. Under certain conditions, such as those in which the bale moisture of highly buffered forages exceeds the recommended range, the heterogeneous nature of baled silages coupled with a restricted rate and extent of fermentation may increase susceptibility to clostridial activity compared with precision-chopped forages ensiled at comparable moisture concentrations. To date, research evaluating inoculants or other additives designed to improve the fermentation of challenging forages or aerobic stability has been limited, but should not be discontinued. Development of PE film embedded with an oxygen-limiting barrier has yielded positive results in some trials; however, most differences between these novel formulations and reputable commercial PE film have been related to decreases in yeast and mold counts at the surface layer. Related assessments of fermentation or nutritive value determined on a whole-bale basis have been less conclusive. Baled silages can be produced successfully by adhering to straightforward management principles; as such, this form of silage production is likely to remain popular for the foreseeable future.

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“…Consequently, TNC concentration is higher in lucerne cut at sunset (PM) than lucerne cut at sunrise (AM). However, in grasses, the differences between times of cutting are dependent on season of cutting (Bélanger et al 2010) and growth conditions (Pelletier et al 2009;Sauvé et al 2010). Ruminants prefer forages cut or grazed at PM to those cut at AM due to their higher TNC concentrations (Fisher et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2009; Sauvé et al . 2010). Ruminants prefer forages cut or grazed at PM to those cut at AM due to their higher TNC concentrations (Fisher et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation of digestibility and intake by sheep of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) hays cut at sunrise or sunset

Andueza¹,

Delgado²,

Muñoz³

2011

J. Agric. Sci.

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An experiment was carried out in 2006 in the Ebro Valley of Spain to test the differences in chemical composition, ruminal degradation, in vivo digestibility and intake between lucerne hays cut at sunrise (AM) or at sunset (PM). Measurements were carried out at 0·50 flowering during spring, summer and autumn growth cycles. PM hays showed higher contents of soluble carbohydrates, starch and total non-structural carbohydrates than AM hays. No significant differences between times of cutting were found for crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre or acid detergent lignin. Effective degradability of dry matter (DM) was higher in autumn PM hay (0·57 ± 0·008) than AM hay (0·47 ± 0·008). No differences between times of cutting were found for hays cut in spring or summer. Effective degradability of nitrogen was significantly higher in summer and autumn PM hays than in AM hays. However, degradability did not differ significantly between times of cutting for the hays cut in spring. Differences in organic matter digestibility averaged 0·02 ± 0·008 in spring and 0·05 ± 0·008 in autumn, but no differences were found between cutting times for lucerne hays in summer. For DM intake, differences between PM and AM hays were significant in spring (57 ± 2·0 v. 46 ± 2·0 g/kg BW0·75, respectively) and summer (60 ± 2·0 v. 52 ± 2·0 g/kg BW0·75, respectively), but not significant in autumn (55 ± 2·0 v. 51 ± 2·0 g/kg BW0·75, respectively). Finally, digestible organic matter intake in sheep was higher for PM (34 ± 1·3, 36 ± 1·3 and 32 ± 1·3 g/kg BW0·75) than for AM hays (27 ± 1·3, 30 ± 1·3 and 27 ± 1·3 g/kg BW0·75) in spring, summer and autumn, respectively. In conclusion, cutting lucerne at sunset could be a simple management strategy for improving the feed value of hays.

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Intake, Digestibility, and Nitrogen Balance of Steers Fed Gamagrass Baleage Topdressed at Two Rates of Nitrogen and Harvested at Sunset and Sunrise

Cited by 8 publications

References 35 publications

Unique Dairy Applications of Eastern Gamagrass Forages in Central Wisconsin: II. Nutritive Value and Energy Density

Unique Dairy Applications of Eastern Gamagrass Forages in Central Wisconsin: II. Nutritive Value and Energy Density

Silage review: Recent advances and future technologies for baled silages

Variation of digestibility and intake by sheep of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) hays cut at sunrise or sunset

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