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Addition of Limestone to Immature Corn and Grass Silages¹

Canada Department of Agriculture, Nappan, Nova Scotia

Abstract

Addition of 1 or 2% ground limestone to several grasses and legumes varying in dry matter from 23.1 to 54.1%, ensiled in glass bottle "miniature silos", resulted in higher pH and organic acid content. The limestone additions usually resulted in a lower proportion of lactic acid and higher proportions of acetic and butyric acids. This trend was more pronounced with the lower dry matter silages.

Similar effects were found with a grass-legume silage (21% dry matter) and grass silage (33 or 48% dry matter) stored in upright silos with and without limestone supplementation. The addition of limestone to an immature corn silage (20% dry matter) resulted in higher pH, organic acid content and proportion of lactic acid. Feeding the limestone treated silages invariably resulted in lower feed intakes and reduced gain. The limestone supplement had little effect on organic matter digestibility of grass silages, but tended to reduce digestibility of nitrogen and ash.

The addition of shredded newspaper to reduce moisture content at the time of ensiling forage in miniature silos had less effect on organic acid production than did drying. Steers fed paper-supplemented silage consumed less than those fed a control silage and lost weight when it was given as the only feed.

¹ Contribution No. 164. Division of Animal and Poultry Science.