Effect of Recutting and Plant Maturity on Kernel Passage and Feeding Value of Corn Silage

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Abstract
In each of two trims, )6 Holstein first- lactation cows were assigned to a Latin- square design for four, five-week feeding periods to compare the intake and milk production response when fed corn silages involving various plant maturities, as re- flected by the following values for silage dry matter content and fineness of chop- ping--Trial I: 22%; 30%; 34% recut 5 era; and 46%, recur 5 cm, and Trial II: 33%; 33%, reeut 5 cm and 2.5 cm; 40%; and 38%, recur 2.5 cm. With silages of higher dry matter con- tent, less silage (as-fed basis) was con- sumed, but more dry matter was consumed per 100 kg of body weight. Recutting had no significant effect on silage dry matter intake. All silage treatments within trials supported milk production equally well. Steers were used to determine the di- gestibility of each silage, and kernel pas- sage was determined. Plant maturity had no significant effect on total digestible nutrient or digestible energy of the dry matter of the silages. Recutting the plant before ensiling reduced the amount of kernel dry matter in the feces, but recutting had no significant effect on the total digesti- ble nutrients or digestible energy values of the silages.

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