The Feeding Value of Conserved Whole-Crop Wheat and Forage Maize Relative to Grass Silage and \u3ci\u3eAd-Libitum\u3c/i\u3e Concentrates for Beef Cattle

Grass is the predominant forage ensiled in Ireland. However, the relatively modest yields achieved in a single harvest allied to variability in digestibility and ensilability (and thus in intake and animal performance response) and the likelihood of effluent production create disadvantages for grass silage compared to the potential of some alternative forage crops. Thus, alternative forages are worthy of consideration on many farms. The objectives of this study were to quantify the relative intake, digestibility and performance of beef cattle offered grass silage, forage maize silage and whole-crop wheat (fermented or urea-treated), rank these relative to cattle offered an ad libitum concentrate-based diet and compare the “alkalage” system of urea-treated processed whole-crop wheat with whole-crop wheat silage

Water-Soluble Carbohydrate (WSC) Concentrations in Ireland and Norway of \u3cem\u3eLolium perenne\u3c/em\u3e Differing in WSC Genotype and Receiving Varying Rates of N Fertiliser

Cultivars bred for elevated water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration may have improved grass ensilability and nutritive value. Increasing rates of application of N fertiliser generally reduce grass WSC concentration, although it is unknown if the response is similar for normal and elevated WSC genotypes or if these factors interact with growing conditions. This experiment evaluated the effects on grass WSC concentration of varying N fertiliser application rates to perennial ryegrass cultivars of high or normal WSC genotype grown in Ireland and Norway

Nutritive Value for Finishing Beef Steers of Wheat Grain Conserved by Different Techniques

Wheat grain harvested at dry matter (DM) concentrations above 860 g/kg is slow to deteriorate during long-term storage. However, high moisture grain (HMG) ranging from below 600 to 750 g DM/kg is conserved on some farms in the form of anaerobic storage of acid-treated, rolled wheat (AR) and urea-treated whole-wheat (UN) (Stacey et al., 2003). This experiment quantified the nutritive value for beef cattle of standard wheat grain (propionic acid-treated and rolled:PR) compared to AR and UN at different levels of intake

Perennial Ryegrasses Bred for Contrasting Sugar Contents: Manipulating Fermentation and Aerobic Stability of Wilted Silage Using Additives (3) (EU-Project ‘SweetGrass’)

Rapid field-drying of grass prior to successful ensilage restricts fermentation and can assist preservation, but can consequently result in silages that are prone to aerobic deterioration at feedout. Additives that directly (e.g. potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate) or indirectly (e.g. formic acid or Lactobacillus plantarum, via manipulation of fermentation) alter yeast activity at feedout could modify silage aerobic stability. This experiment evaluated the fermentation and aerobic stability of wilted silages made from perennial ryegrass cultivars of high or normal water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) genotype that differed in additive use

Perennial Ryegrasses Bred for Contrasting Sugar Contents: Manipulating Fermentation and Aerobic Stability of Unwilted Silage using Additives (2) (EU-Project ‘SweetGrass’)

Grass cultivars bred for elevated concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) could have improved silage preservation but possibly disimproved aerobic stability. Additives can be used to manipulate fermentation and thereby increase silage WSC. They can also influence aerobic stability. This experiment evaluated the fermentation and aerobic stability of unwilted silages made from perennial ryegrass cultivars of high or normal WSC genotype that differed in additive use

Effects of Supplementary Concentrate Level and Separate or Mixed Feeding of Grass Silage and Concentrates on Rumen Fluid Composition in Steers

The effects of dietary concentrate level and method of feeding (separate or mixed) on performance and carcass traits of steers may be mediated through changes in rumen fluid composition. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects on rumen fluid composition of (1) supplementary concentrate level with grass silage, and (2) separate or mixed feeding of silage and concentrates

Effects of Supplementary Concentrate Level and Separate or Mixed Feeding of Grass Silage and Concentrates on Carcass Tissue Composition in Steers

Supplementary concentrate level may affect carcass composition in steers. Feeder wagons facilitate feeding and management. The objectives were to determine the effects of (1) supplementary concentrate level with grass silage, and (2) separate or mixed feeding of silage and concentrates, on ribs joint composition

The Impact of Concentrate Price on the Utilization of Grazed and Conserved Grass

A linear programming model was designed and constructed to facilitate the identification of optimal beef production systems under varying technical and policy scenarios. The model operates at a systems level and most activities that could occur in Irish spring-calving, suckler beef production systems are included. In this paper, the components of the model are described together with a simple application of the model involving changing concentrate prices

The Effects of a High Grass Input Feeding System Compared to High Concentrate Input Feeding System Offered to Spring Calving Dairy Cows in Early Lactation

Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available on Irish dairy farms. The inclusion of grass in the diet of the spring-calving dairy cow in early lactation is recommended. Previous studies focused on introducing grazed herbage into the cows diet in early spring in conjunction with grass silage and concentrate, and compared this to cows fed indoors. The objective of this study was to compare the milk production and feed budget of two contrasting early lactation feeding regimes. One regime was based on a high herbage inclusion with a low concentrate level (HG), while the other was based on a high concentrate inclusion with grass silage (HC)

Effects of Supplementary Concentrate Level and Separate or Mixed Feeding of Grass Silage and Concentrates on Carcass Tissue Colour Traits in Steers

The level of supplementary concentrates fed with grass silage and the method of feeding (separate or mixed) may affect carcass tissue colour in steers. The objectives were to determine the effects of (1) supplementary concentrate level with grass silage, and (2) separate or mixed feeding of silage and concentrates, on muscle and fat colour