Effects of Nutrient Additives and Sodium Hydroxide on Ensiling Characteristics and In Vitro Fiber Digestion Kinetics of Dairy Cattle Waste-Energy Feedstuff Mixtures

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Abstract
Dairy waste fiber was mixed in ratio 1:1 (dry matter basis) with ground alfalfa hay, chopped cornstalks, chopped whole corn plant or ground corn. Prior to ensiling, mixtures received no additive, dry cane molasses at 5% of dry matter, urea at 1% of dry matter, dry cane molasses at 5% plus urea at 1% of dry matter, NaOH at 3.3% of dry matter or NaOH at 3.3% plus urea at 1% of dry matter. Lactate concentration of silages increased progressively in those receiving alkali, urea or molasses. NaOH treatment tended to increase unavailable N of silages. Molasses increased: digestion rate of acid detergent fiber in alfalfa; dairy waste fiber; and digestion coefficients of corn silage and corn:dairy waste fiber silages. Urea additions resulted in less digestion of stalklage:dairy waste fiber. Addition of soluble N and energy together often improved digestion over addition of either one alone. NaOH was effective in increasing digestion of certain fiber fractions of all silages except corn silage:dairy waste fiber and digestion rate of corn silage:dairy waste fiber hemicellulose. Addition of urea to alkali-treated corn silage:dairy waste fiber increased digestion of neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose beyond that of alkali-treated mixtures alone.