Organic Acid Determination on Treated and Untreated Corn Silage

Abstract

Changes in levels of organic acids in corn silage were measured by gas chromatography. When corn was treated prior to ensiling with formic acid, propionic acid, Chemstor, and Hay Savor at levels of 0.75% and 1.5% on a fresh weight basis, the acids added were readily detected on the gas chromatograms. Formic acid addition lowered the pH of the corn silage to a greater extent than the other added acids. Control silages contained between 5.81 and 17.43 mmol total acids per 100 ml silage juice, whereas silages treated with propionic acid and Chemstor contained between 33.86 and 42.53 mmol total acid per 100 ml silage juice. Formic acid- and Hay Savor-treated silages contained intermediate amounts of acids. The acid treatments did not severely affect lactic acid production.

Substituting oat hay or maize silage for portion of alfalfa hay affects growth performance, ruminal fermentation, and nutrient digestibility of weaned calves

“…Oat hay supplementation balanced the nitrogen content in diet, which could significantly increase nitrogen deposition of calves [ 27 ]. However, high organic acid, especially lactic acid, content in corn silage might limit the activity and reproduction of rumen microbes [ 28 ], consequently decreased nutrient digestibility. Digestibility of NDF and ADF mirrored ADG of calves.…”