Effect of Ensiling a Total Mixed Ration on Chemical Composition and Fermentation Quality

Abstract

        The approach of using high-moisture agricultural by-products with ensiling technology will improve feed efficiency. This research aimed to assess the impact of ensiling on chemical composition and sensory characteristics of silage quality with different ingredients. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were Napier grass silage as control, fermented total mixed ration with Napier grass (FTMR - Napier grass) and fermented total mixed ration with rice straw (FTMR - rice straw), all of which were packed in plastic bags (25 kilogram) under ensilage condition. The bags were opened after 0, 7, 21 and 60 days in ensiling. The result showed that the content of dry matter and crude protein ranged 35.34-42.50 and  11.62-11.98, respectively. The silage had lower dry matter than the fermented total mixed ration, whereas there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the content of crude protein. There was a significant difference (P<0.001) in pH value among experimental diet. The lowest pH value of fermented total mixed ration and Napier grass silage were obtained after 7 and 21 days of ensiling, respectively. In addition, Napier grass silage had higher pH value than fermented total mixed ration (P<0.001). The Napier grass had lower ensiling quality score than FTMR (P<0.001). By contrast, the score was not statistically different between FTMR –Napier grass and FTMR – rice straw. However, all experimental diets were in good and very good rang of ensilage. These results indicate that Napier grass silage and fermented total mixed ration should be used after 21 and 7 days of ensiling, respectively. The fermentation technology could preserve feed in plastic bags (25 kilograms) for 60 days.