INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF ORGANIC ACID-TREATED BARLEY SILAGE FED TO STEERS AND SHEEP

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Abstract
Chopped barley, 35–40% dry matter, was treated with 0.41% formic acid, 0.43% formic acid-formaldehyde mixture, 0.43% formic acid–acetic acid mixture, and 0.34% ChemStor (propionic acid–acetic acid) at the time of ensiling. The silages were fed to 60 growing beef calves during 154 days for intake and weight gain data and to eight sheep during 16 wk for digestibility studies. Acid treatment of barley prior to ensiling tended to reduce soluble nitrogen of the silage. Less acetic and lactic acids were present in acid-treated silages. Feed intake was not different (P > 0.05) among the treatments. Weight gain was lower (P < 0.05) for calves receiving formic–formaldehyde and formic acid-treated silage compared with those receiving nontreated silage. Feed efficiency was reduced (P < 0.05) for the three treatments containing formic acid compared with nontreated silage. Digestibility of dry matter, energy, and organic matter were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments. Treatment of silage with formic acid-formaldehyde resulted in reduced (P < 0.05) protein digestibility compared with control and ChemStor-treated silages. A better preservation of original plant carbohydrates when acids were added was indicated by a lower concentration of acetic and lactic acids in acid-treated silages.