Influence of different growing stages of whole-plant soybeans on their nutrient content and silage quality for cattle.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of growing stage (GS) on morphological and chemical composition of whole-plant soybean (WPS), and fermentative profile and chemical composition of whole-plant soybean silage (SS). This study was divided into two trials conducted in a complete randomised block design. The first trial evaluated the effect of GS from R1 to R8 (59-135 d after sowing) on morphological and chemical composition of WPS and its botanical components. The second trial determined the effects of GS from R3 (71 d after sowing) to R7 (124 d after sowing) on dry matter (DM) losses, fermentative profile, chemical composition and aerobic stability of SS. The proportion of leaves in WPS was reduced, while stem and pod proportions were increased as the GS progressed. Ensiling WPS at R6 and R7 decreased the contents of acetic acid, lactic acid and branched-chain fatty acids, and ethanol, and increased the contents of propionic acid and NH3-N. However, silage butyric acid concentrations in R6 and R7 were relatively high (18.1 and 19.9 g/kg DM, respectively). Butyric acid and buffering capacity varied according to GS with the lowest values observed in silages derived from GS R3, R5 and R7, and the highest values observed in silages made from GS R5. Later GS resulted in greater contents of DM, crude protein and ether extract, and lower contents of acid detergent fibre and non-fibre carbohydrate in SS. The high fat of SS produced from later GS limits high inclusion levels in ruminant diets. Morphological components impacted chemical composition of SS, whereas the R7 stage improved fermentative profile and resulted in an SS with greater in situ degradability of DM and neutral detergent fibre.

Inclusion of crushed corn grains and citrus pulp improves the quality of soybean silage / Inclusão de grãos de milho moído e polpa cítrica melhora a qualidade da silagem de soja

Objetivamos avaliar o efeito da inclusão de milho e polpa cítrica como aditivo em silagem de soja em tubos plásticos de PVC. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com arranjo fatorial 2x4, dois grupos aditivos (milho e polpa cítrica) e quatro níveis de inclusão (sem inclusão, 7, 14 e 21%). O experimento foi conduzido no Setor Forrageiro da Fazenda Experimental Lageado da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da UNESP de Botucatu - SP e nas análises de composição química realizadas no laboratório de Bromatologia. A variedade de soja utilizada foi a BMX Potência RR e a colheita mecânica ocorreu no estádio fenológico R7, na altura de 15 cm, utilizando-se um Harvester equipado com plataforma de duas fileiras, com o material cortado em partículas médias entre 3 e 6 mm. Após 45 dias, as silagens foram analisadas quanto à matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), pH, extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), lignina (LIG), perda total de matéria seca (PMS) e carboidratos totais (CHOS). A inclusão de milho (21%) e polpa cítrica (14 e 21%) reduziu os valores de PB (P <0,05). A silagem sem inclusão apresentou menor quantidade de carboidratos totais (P <0,05). A inclusão de fubá é melhor que a polpa cítrica para melhorar os valores da silagem de soja.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of corn and citrus pulp as additives in soybean silage made in plastic (PVC) tubes. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a 2x4 factorial arrangement consisting of two additive groups (corn and citrus pulp) and four inclusion levels (no inclusion, 7, 14 and 21%). The experiment was conducted at the Forage Sector of the Lageado Experimental Farm, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, and chemical composition analysis was carried out at the Laboratory of Bromatology. The soybean variety used was BMX Potência RR. Mechanical harvest occurred at the R7 phenological stage, at a height of 15 cm, using a harvester equipped with a two-row platform. The material was chopped into medium particles of 3 to 6 mm. After 45 days, the silages were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients, pH, ethereal extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, total dry matter loss, and total carbohydrates (CHOS). The inclusion of corn (21%) and citrus pulp (14 and 21%) reduced CP values (P<0.05). Control silage contained less CHOS (P<0.05). The inclusion of corn meal is better than citrus pulp to improve the values of soybean silage.

Inclusion of crushed corn grains and citrus pulp improves the quality of soybean silage / Inclusão de grãos de milho moído e polpa cítrica melhora a qualidade da silagem de soja

Objetivamos avaliar o efeito da inclusão de milho e polpa cítrica como aditivo em silagem de soja em tubos plásticos de PVC. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com arranjo fatorial 2x4, dois grupos aditivos (milho e polpa cítrica) e quatro níveis de inclusão (sem inclusão, 7, 14 e 21%). O experimento foi conduzido no Setor Forrageiro da Fazenda Experimental Lageado da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da UNESP de Botucatu - SP e nas análises de composição química realizadas no laboratório de Bromatologia. A variedade de soja utilizada foi a BMX Potência RR e a colheita mecânica ocorreu no estádio fenológico R7, na altura de 15 cm, utilizando-se um Harvester equipado com plataforma de duas fileiras, com o material cortado em partículas médias entre 3 e 6 mm. Após 45 dias, as silagens foram analisadas quanto à matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), pH, extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), lignina (LIG), perda total de matéria seca (PMS) e carboidratos totais (CHOS). A inclusão de milho (21%) e polpa cítrica (14 e 21%) reduziu os valores de PB (P <0,05). A silagem sem inclusão apresentou menor quantidade de carboidratos totais (P <0,05). A inclusão de fubá é melhor que a polpa cítrica para melhorar os valores da silagem de soja.(AU)

We aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of corn and citrus pulp as additives in soybean silage made in plastic (PVC) tubes. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a 2x4 factorial arrangement consisting of two additive groups (corn and citrus pulp) and four inclusion levels (no inclusion, 7, 14 and 21%). The experiment was conducted at the Forage Sector of the Lageado Experimental Farm, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, and chemical composition analysis was carried out at the Laboratory of Bromatology. The soybean variety used was BMX Potência RR. Mechanical harvest occurred at the R7 phenological stage, at a height of 15 cm, using a harvester equipped with a two-row platform. The material was chopped into medium particles of 3 to 6 mm. After 45 days, the silages were analyzed for dry matter, crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients, pH, ethereal extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, total dry matter loss, and total carbohydrates (CHOS). The inclusion of corn (21%) and citrus pulp (14 and 21%) reduced CP values (P<0.05). Control silage contained less CHOS (P<0.05). The inclusion of corn meal is better than citrus pulp to improve the values of soybean silage.(AU)