Date of Award:

5-1988

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences

Committee Chair(s)

Michael J. Arambel

Committee

Michael J. Arambel

Committee

Ray Cartee

Committee

Robert Lamb

Abstract

Third-cutting alfalfa hay harvested at bud stage in each of 2 yrs, treated with a live bacterial inoculant, packed in polyethylene-bonded bags and allowed to ensile. In both years, treated haylage had a lower pH, and a period effect was found for pH and mold count, regardless of treatment. In year 1, there was a period effect found for acid detergent fiber. In year 2, mean lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers (log 10) were significantly higher for treated haylage (9.69 and 10.36) for control and treated haylage, respectively). Regardless of treatment, lactic-acid-producing bacteria numbers and water soluble carbohydrates significantly declined through time.

For both years, treated haylage was fed to early-lactating dairy cows at 60% of the ration dry matter. In year 1, lactating cows were fed treated haylage for a 10-wk period, and no differences were observed in milk production performance or dry matter intake over cows fed untreated haylage.

In year 2, cows were fed for a 6-wk period, and no differences were detected between treatments for milk production, milk composition, or dry matter intake.

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80629ce42fdea08bc7d4fd17bca1f015

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