HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lamm, W. D. Articles by Fontenot, J. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lamm, W. D. Articles by Fontenot, J. P.

Ensiling Characteristics, Digestibility and Feeding Value of Ensiled Cattle Waste and Ground Hay with and without Sodium Hydroxide

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University¹, Blackburg 24061

Abstract

The feasibility of ensiling 60% cattle fecal waste obtained from cattle fed a 70% concentrate diet with 40% ground grass-legume hay, wet basis, (27.6% waste and 72.4% hay, dry basis), and treating the mixture with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) prior to ensiling was investigated. Mixtures were ensiled with levels of 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12% NaOH, dry basis, in small laboratory silos. Fermentation characteristics, as measured by pH and lactic acid production, were most favorable (P<.01) at the 0 and 2% NaOH levels. Acetic acid production was highest (P<.01) in the 4, 8 and 12% NaOH-treated silages. In vitro dry matter digestibility (adjusted for NaOH content) for the silage treated with 4% NaOH was intermediate between that of the control and high NaOH-treated silages.

Sixteen wethers were used in a metabolism study to evaluate the untreated and treated wastelages. Treatment with NaOH enhanced (P<.05) the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber and NFE, and nitrogen retention. Total sodium excretion was higher (P<.01) for lambs fed treated wastelage. Approximately 4% of the sodium ingested as NaOH was retained in lambs fed treated wastelage.

A cattle growth study was conducted to determine the effect of NaOH treatment (4%, dry basis) upon the palatability of ensiled cattle manure and hay (wastelage). Dry matter intake was similar for calves fed either treated or untreated wastelage, but was lower than intake for calves fed the corn silage control ration.

Ensiling cattle waste with grass-legume hay after treating the mixture with NaOH improved both in vitro and in vivo dry matter digestibility, although dry matter intake was decreased when fed to growing calves, compared to a corn silage control ration.

¹ Department of Animal Science.