J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1981. 52:398-405.
© 1981 American Society of Animal Science
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Reconstituted Kentucky Bluegrass Straw. I. Ensiled with Molasses and Sodium or Calcium Hydroxides1,2,

M. K. Petersen5, V. M. Thomas3 and R. E. Roffler3,4,

University of Idaho, Moscow 83843

Abstract

A laboratory study and a lamb metabolism trial were conducted to evaluate Kentucky bluegrass straw (KBS) ensiled with alkali and(or) molasses. In Exp. 1, alkali treatment increased (P<.05) in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of KBS with or without molasses by 6.0 to 8.9 percentage units. There was no difference (P>.05) in IVOMD between silages treated with 4% NaOH, 4% Ca(OH)2 and 2% NaOH and 2% Ca(OH)2. Addition of 20 or 30% molasses improved (P<.05) IVOMD by approximately 6.0 percentage units. Two percent NaOH plus 2% Ca(OH)2 was the alkali treatment most effective in reducing concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Molasses additions improved nutritional value of silage by increasing IVOMD, decreasing NDF, ADF and ADL of all silages and decreasing pH of Ca(OH)2- or NaOH + Ca(OH)2-treated silages. Silages treated with Ca(OH)2 or NaOH + Ca(OH)2 tended to have the highest concentrations of butyric acid. Concentration of lactic acid was highest in silages treated with 10% molasses and NaOH + Ca(OH)2. Lambs fed NaOH-treated silages had higher (P<.05) IVOMD than those fed silages not treated with alkali (Exp. 2). However, IVOMD were similar (P>.05) in lambs fed NaOH-, Ca(OH)2- or NaOH + Ca(OH)2-treated silages. Lambs fed alkali-treated silage digested more (P<.05) NDF and ADF than did those fed untreated silage. Alkali treatment improved (P<.05) digestibility of ADL. Apparent digestibility of crude protein was not affected by alkali treatment. Crude protein intake was greater (P<.05) for lambs consuming treated silage; however, there was no difference (P>.05) in N retention between treatment groups.

Footnotes

1 Idaho Agr. Exp. Sta. Pub. No. 8041.

2 This research was supported in part by a grant-in-aid from the Idaho Research Council.

3 Dept. of Anim. Sci.

4 The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of J. Brictson, W. M. Cleveland and E. South in chemical analyses.

5 Present address: Univ. of Nebraska, North Platte Exp. Sta., North Platte 69101.






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Copyright © 1981 by the American Society of Animal Science.