J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1977. 44:1112-1118.
© 1977 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Artificial Heating of Alfalfa Haylage on Chemical Composition and Sheep Performance1

Yu Yu and D. M. Veira2

University of Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1

Abstract

Alfalfa haylage (47% dry matter) was heated artificially in sealed containers at 88 C for 24 or 48 hours. Heating had no effect on proximate analysis constituents but increased acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen and acid-detergent fiber contents. Although voluntary intake of haylages by sheep was not different, the relative intake of heated haylages, in cafeteria trials, was markedly lower than that of unheated haylage. When all haylages were dried to approximately 90% dry matter, the relative intake was higher for haylage heated for 24 hr as compared with the other two haylages. Apparent digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, nitrogen-free-extract, and acid-detergent fiber was reduced by heating while digestibility of crude fiber, ether extract, and acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen was unaffected by heating. Rate of passage expressed as mean retention time of chromium was not different among treatments. With similar nitrogen intakes, sheep fed heated haylages excreted more nitrogen in feces, less nitrogen in urine, and retained less nitrogen than sheep fed unheated haylage. In vivo nitrogen and dry matter digestibilities and total digestible nutrients content of heat damaged alfalfa haylage were overestimated by prediction equations recommended for normal forages. However acid-detergent insoluble nitrogen provided good estimates of these parameters.

Footnotes

1 Financial assistance from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and B. H. Bull Memorial Fund is acknowledged gratefully.

2 Department of Animal and Poultry Science.






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Copyright © 1977 by the American Society of Animal Science.