Effect of Laceration of Chopped Forage on Preservation and Feeding Value of Alfalfa-Orchardgrass Silage

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Abstract
Chopped alfalfa-orchardgrass forage was further lacerated to an almost pulpy consistency and compared with the same forage chopped by a conventional forage chopper. Experimental silages were stored in 3.05 by 12.19 meter concrete stave tower silos. Lacerated silage had a lower ammoniacal nitrogen, butyric acid, and propionic acid content, and a higher percent lactic acid in the top 20% of the silage than the chopped silage. There were no chemical differences in the bottom 80% of the silage indicating that pressure within the lower part of the chopped silage mass probably accomplished an effect similar to the laceration process. There was no significant difference in the feeding value of the two silages.