J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hintz, R. W.
Right arrow Articles by Mertens, D. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Hintz, R. W.
Right arrow Articles by Mertens, D. R.

Journal of Animal Science, Vol 77, Issue 1 187-193, Copyright © 1999 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Mechanical maceration of alfalfa

R. W. Hintz, R. G. Koegel, T. J. Kraus and D. R. Mertens
W-L Research, Inc., Evansville, WI 53536, USA.

Maceration is an intensive forage-conditioning process that can increase field drying rates by as much as 300%. Because maceration shreds the forage and reduces its rigidity, improvements in bulk density, silage compaction, and ensiling characteristics have been observed. Macerating forage also increases the surface area available for microbial attachment in the rumen, thereby increasing forage digestibility and animal performance. Feeding trials with sheep have shown increases in DMI of 5 to 31% and increases in DM digestibility of from 14 to 16 percentage units. Lactation studies have demonstrated increases in milk production and BW gain for lactating Holstein cows; however, there is a consistent decrease in milk fat percentage when dairy cattle are fed macerated forage. In vitro studies have shown that maceration decreases lag time associated with NDF digestion and increases rate of NDF digestion. In situ digestibility studies have shown that maceration increases the size of the instantly soluble DM pool and decreases lag time associated with NDF digestion, but it may not consistently alter the rate or extent of DM and NDF digestion.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Crop Sci.Home page
J. H. Grabber
Mechanical Maceration Divergently Shifts Protein Degradability in Condensed-Tannin vs. o-Quinone Containing Conserved Forages
Crop Sci., March 19, 2008; 48(2): 804 - 813.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
A. Plascencia, M. A. Lopez-Soto, M. F. Montano, J. G. Serrano, R. A. Ware, and R. A. Zinn
Influence of surfactant supplementation and maceration on the feeding value of rice straw in growing-finishing diets for Holstein steers
J Anim Sci, October 1, 2007; 85(10): 2575 - 2581.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J DAIRY SCIHome page
D. R. Ouellet, H. Lapierre, and J. Chiquette
Effects of Corn Silage Processing and Amino Acid Supplementation on the Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows
J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2003; 86(11): 3675 - 3684.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1999 by the American Society of Animal Science.