Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

What Research Is Required For Economically And Environmentally Sustainable Farming?, W. Taylor

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

This Congress is being held on an island that is a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. No other land area in the western world has achieved such a status!

With this designation come completely new parameters for agriculture in general and grassland production in particular. Alongside this change in emphasis for the grass based industry is the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy reform. For farming within the European Union it is not completely about maximising production, about “growing two blades of grass where one grew before”. It’s also about creating a diverse landscape, about less pollution about greater recreational opportunities, about …

Grassland Research: Goals For The Future, J. R. Roche

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Our goal as scientists must be to provide sufficient food for the world’s population, while returning sufficient income for effort to the food producer. It has been established elsewhere in the conference that pasture-based systems can return high milk production per hectare at low input cost, but are limited to highly fertile, temperate regions with evenly dispersed rainfall patterns and moderate maximum and minimum temperatures. There should be two goals of grazing research in the future; to sustain or improve the profitability of current grazing production systems, and to develop plant and animal varieties that allow grazing in currently less …

Farming For Fun & Profit, M. Murphy

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

We live in a competitive capitalist economy. Farming is rapidly moving from a highly subsidised sheltered existence into a more competitive future. Milk is a commodity. In commodity production the low cost producer survives and prospers. High cost farmers go out of business. So farmers, researchers and advisors need to maintain a relentless focus on low cost. We need durable, simple systems that exploit low feed cost based on grazed grass where temperate climate allows e.g. Ireland and New Zealand.

Research Into The Types Of Cows And Systems Required To Utilise Grazed Pastures Sustainably In 100 Years From Now, C. Holmes

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Dairy farming has undergone rapid intensification in many countries over the past 60 years, as the result of technological developments, trade policies, and financial incentives. For example, the use of soluble fertilisers, irrigation and concentrated feeds have increased enormously, and antibiotics and hormone treatments did not even exist in 1940. However, the dramatic increases in milk yields per cow (e.g. in North America) and per hectare (e.g. in New Zealand) and in cows per person (in most countries) have been associated with growing concerns about the health and fertility of cows, and their metabolic stress and welfare and about the …

Ensiled Maize And Whole Crop Wheat Forages For Beef And Dairy Cattle: Effects On Animal Performance, T. W. J. Keady

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Key points

1. Maize silage can be produced and fed to beef and dairy cattle at a similar price to grazed grass.
2. Including maize silage in the diet increases feed intake and performance of beef and dairy cattle.
3. The optimum stage of maturity at harvest for increased performance is at a dry matter concentration of approximately 300 g/kg.
4. Including maize silage in grass silage-based diets has a concentrate sparing effect of up to 5 kg/cow/d.
5. There is a negative relationship between stage of maturity at harvest and milk fat concentration.
6. Whole crop wheat can be produced and fed at a similar …

Recent Developments In Feeding Beef Cattle On Grass Silage-Based Diets, M. Mcgee

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Key points:

1. High digestibility grass silage with moderate concentrate supplementation can sustain a large proportion of the cattle performance achieved on high concentrate diets.
2. Increasing concentrate supplementation reduces the importance of grass silage nutritional value.
3. Subsequent compensatory growth diminishes the advantage of concentrate supplementation of young cattle.
4. Meat quality and fatty acid composition can be influenced by grass silage-based diets.

Field Beans And Spring Wheat As Whole Crop Silage: Yield, Chemical Composition And Fermentation Characteristics, L. Ericson, K. Arvidsson, K. Martinsson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

There has been an increasing interest in field beans (Vicia faba L.) in recent years because of its N-fixating ability. The objective of this study was to compare the yield, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of field bean/spring wheat as whole-crop silage ensiled with and without an additive.

The crop was drilled on 27 May 2003 at a seed rate of 205 kg/ha field beans and 68 kg/ha spring wheat. The crop was harvested at four different growth stages (Zadoks et al., 1974); end of blooming, (stage 69), when 50% of the pods had reached full length, …

Utilisation Of Whole-Crop Pea Silages Differing In Condensed Tannin Content As A Replacement For Soya Bean Meal In The Diet Of Dairy Cows, K. J. Hart, R. G. Wilkinson, L. A. Sinclair, J. A. Huntington

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Adesogan et al. (2004), has demonstrated that ensiled pea wheat intercrops can reduce the amount of concentrate fed to dairy cows by 50% without affecting milk yield or composition. A limitation of forage peas for high yielding dairy cows is the low by-pass protein content, but it has been suggested by Broderick (1995), that feeding forages that contain low levels of condensed tannin can improve nitrogen utilisation. The objective of the current experiments was to evaluate the potential of whole-crop pea silage differing in condensed tannin content to replace soya bean meal in the diet of late lactation, pregnant …

Ensiled High Moisture Barley Or Dry Barley In The Grass Silage-Based Diet Of Dairy Cows, S. Jaakkola, E. Saarisalo, R. Kangasniemi

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Ensiling high moisture grain is based on a procedure similar to ensiling grass. Soluble carbohydrates of grain are partly fermented into acids and some protein is degraded. Thus the nutritional quality is modified by the preservation method. Two trials were conducted to compare the effects of dry barley (DB) and ensiled barley (EB) in a total mixed ration (TMR) on feed intake and milk production of dairy cows.

Effects Of Species, Maturity And Additive On The Feed Quality Of Whole Crop Cereal Silage, E. Nadeau

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Chemical composition of whole crop cereals differ among species and maturity stages. These chemical differences create variations in silage quality (Bergen et al., 1991). There is only limited information available on the effects of plant species and maturity on the use of additives for whole crop cereal silage. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of species, maturity, additive and their interactions on nutrient composition and fermentation characteristics of whole crop cereal silage.

Comparison Of Different Maize Hybrids Cultivated And Fermented With Or Without Sorghum, Sz. Orosz, Z. Bellus, Zs. Kelemen, E. Zerényi, J. Helembai

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In Hungary our key forage crop is silage maize, however, the joint growing of maize and sorghum is increasingly important in arid regions. The reason is, that sorghum varieties tolerate well the various ecological stresses (drought). The joint growing of maize and sorghum varieties has several advantages and disadvantageous in respect of yields, safety of production, fermentability of the crop and nutrient content of the silage. The basis of realising the complementary qualities of the two crops and of the successful joint growing and preservation is the suitable pairing of hybrid varieties.

Utilisation Of Coffee Grounds For Total Mixed Ration Silage, C. Xu, Y. Cai, N. Hino, N. Yoshida, M. Ogawa

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In the beverage industry, wastes from coffee grounds are of particular importance given their rapid increase in recent years. Although a small part is converted into raw compost material, wastes generated from tea grounds are generally incinerated. There is increasing demand for efficient use of by-products due to economic and environmental concerns. Approximately 200,000 t of coffee grounds are produced annually in Japan. These grounds usually have high protein, fat, fibre, and nitrogen-free extract and possibly could be a source of nutrients for ruminant (Xu et al., 2004). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the fermentation characteristics …

Forage Preferences Of Horses, C. E. Müller

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In the northern climates the forage fed to horses has by tradition been hay. However, hay is subjected to moulding unless it is stored dry. Mould spores together with actinomycetes are responsible for the condition Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), which is the second largest reason for culling of warm-blood horses in Sweden (Wallin, 2001). Therefore, the possibility of replacing hay with haylage and silage in the feed rations of horses is interesting. The objective of this study was to investigate the preferences among horses for different types of conserved grass, to gain more knowledge about the suitability of haylage and …

The Effect Of Silage Harvester Type On Harvesting Efficiency, J. P. Frost, R. C. Binnie

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Choice of harvesting system can significantly influence production costs. Whether a tractor-powered or self-propelled forage harvester or a self-loading forage wagon system is used will depend on particular circumstances. However, in order to make an informed choice relevant information has to be available. A trial was commissioned by Landmec Pottinger (Ivybridge, UK) and Traynors (Clonmel, Ireland) at this Institute to investigate the performance of a self-propelled forage harvester system and a self-loading forage wagon system.

Harvesting Silage With Two Types Of Silage Trailer (Feed Rotor With Knives And Precision Chop), H. Arvidsson, P. Lingvall

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Harvesting silage with a silage trailer that combines both a precision chopper and a trailer in the same machine is common in Sweden. A silage trailer with a feed rotor and knives has recently been put on the market. The objective of this study was to compare the two systems

The Effects Of A New Plastic Film On The Microbial And Fermentation Quality Of Italian Ryegrass Bale Silages, G. Borreani, E. Tabacco

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Problems associated with big bale silage include the high permeability of plastic wrapping films to O₂, their low resistance to damage and the large amount of plastic that must be used to limit aerobic deterioration during conservation. Low permeability film, used in the packaging of food and recently proposed for bunker silos (Degano, 1999), could reduce fungal development in bale silage. The aim of this work was to compare the microbial and fermentation quality of big-baled silage, wrapped with commercially available plastic film and a new stretch film with low O₂ permeability, over different conservation periods.

The Effect Of Neutralising Formic Acid On Fermentation Of Fresh And Wilted Grass Silage, E. Saarisalo, S. Jaakkola

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Rapid drop in pH is essential for minimising proteolysis and successful ensiling. Use of acid additives typically reduces protein degradation and restricts fermentation. The effects of acid additive depend on application rate and type of herbage. Corrosiveness and risks in handling formic acid (FA) can be reduced by using salts of FA like ammonium formate (AF). Increasing proportions of AF replacing FA were applied into grass at two dry matter (DM) contents to evaluate the effects of neutralised FA on silage pH and fermentation.

Influence Of Different Alfalfa-Grass Mixtures And The Use Of Additives On Nutritive Value And Fermentation Of Silage, P. Lättemäe, U. Tamm

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Legumes have a high nutritive value but they are known to be difficult to ensile and often result in poorly fermented silage. This is usually due to high buffering capacity and low available sugar concentration. However, the results have shown that silage quality can considerably be improved by using additives or when legume-grass mixtures are ensiled (Lättemäe & Tamm, 2002). Different legume-grass mixtures differ in their ensiling properties and also may affect the fermentation. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of alfalfa-grass mixtures and the use of additives on nutritive value and fermentation of silage.

Effects Of Inoculation Of Lab On Fermentation Pattern And Clostridia Spores In Easily Ensilable Grass Silages, J. Thaysen, G. Pahlow, E. Mathies

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Clostridia can damage the protein quality of grass silages. They cause high gas losses during the fermentation process and quality problems in dairy products like semi-hard cheeses. In comparison to the effect of chemicals such as nitrite on undesirable clostridia in grass silages the respective inhibitory mechanism of LAB requires further investigation. The objective of this experiment was to study under laboratory conditions novel isolates of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), selected for their inhibitory effect on clostridia in grass silages.

Effect Of Biological Additives In Red Clover – Timothy Conservation, A. Olt, H. Kaldmäe, E. Songisepp, O. Kärt

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Red clover at early flower bud formation is difficult to ensile. For efficient improvement of the quality of leguminous silages, chemical additives are used. The present research focuses on the effectiveness of biological additives with different composition on the fermentation and quality of clover silage.

Application Of A New Inoculant “Chikuso-1” For Silage Preparation Of Forage Paddy Rice, Y. Cai, C. Xu, S. Ennahar, N. Hino, N. Yoshida, M. Ogawa

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Forage paddy rice is currently one of the most important silage crops in Japan. In fact, the use of paddy rice culture for silage production has been steadily increasing in recent years, not only because this represents a new way towards achieving self-sufficiency in animal feed, but also because of the interest of combining crop cultivation and livestock farming as a more effective use of idle paddy fields that often remain unused. However, the preparation of quality silage from paddy rice and its long-term storage are often challenging (Cai et al., 1999, 2003). In this study, a new bacterial …

Synergism Of Chemical And Microbial Additives On Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinaruml.) Silage Fermentation, T. F. Bernardes, G. R. Siqueira, R. P. Schocken-Inturrino, A. P. T. P. Roth, R. A. Reis

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Sugarcane has a high productive potential (30 t DM/year) and it is commonly used in its fresh form. The ensiling of sugarcane is increasing but little research has been carried out to reduce nutrient losses during fermentation.

The Influence Of The Application Of A Biological Additive On The Fermentation Process Of Red Clover Silage, Ľ. Rajčáková, R. Mlynár, M. Gallo

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In Slovakia, mainly in the submontane and mountainous regions, growing of red clover is an important source of proteinous feeds. It is grown on 3.0% of arable land. It was the aim of this work to verify the possibilities of using a biological additive in red clover silage conservation.

Effects Of Stage Of Growth And Inoculation On Fermentation Quality Of Field Pea Silage, G. Borreani, L. Cavallarin, S. Antoniazzi, E. Tobacco

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) are a short-term catch crop with a high crude protein content, which provides a high forage yield in a short growing period. Since field peas are a succulent crop and are difficult to field cure, it is preferable to directly ensile them to prevent weather damage and excessive grain losses. The onset of lodging is delayed in field pea varieties, since the crop is supported by the tendrils in a more erect manner, and this allows easy harvesting without soil contamination even at advanced stages of maturity (Koivisto et al., 2003). To …

Inoculant Effects On Ensiling And In Vitro Gas Production In Lucerne Silage, R. E. Muck, I. Filya, F. E. Contreras-Govea

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Inoculants are the most common additives used in making silage. While inoculant effects on fermentation and dry matter (DM) recovery are understood, animal performance effects are often greater than expected. In vitro analyses may help uncover how inoculants affect rumen fermentation and ultimately dairy cattle performance. Our objective was to study how inoculation of lucerne silage affected in vitro gas production.

A Novel Bacterial Silage Additive Effective Against Clostridial Fermentation, E. Mayrhuber, M. Holzer, W. Kramer, E. Mathies

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Silage quality is determined by factors including the content of butyric acid and ammonium-N. These parameters have to be restricted especially in lightly wilted silages due to a higher risk of clostridia contamination. In this study a novel silage additive was tested in grass silages of low dry matter content. The objective of this experiment was to explore the effect of the silage additive on quality parameters in comparison to an untreated control.

In Vitro Gas Production And Bacterial Biomass Estimation For Lucerne Silage Inoculated With One Of Three Lactic Acid Bacterial Inoculants, F. E. Contreras-Govea, R. E. Muck, I. Filya, D. R. Mertens, P. J. Weimer

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Silages inoculated with microbial inoculants frequently have a lower pH than non-inoculated crops. Less often inoculated crops have a positive effect on milk production (Weinberg & Muck, 1996). One hypothesis is that bacterial inoculants produce a probiotic effect that could enhance animal performance (Weinberg & Muck, 1996). Our objective was to use the method of Blümmel et al. (1997) to study differences in in vitro fermentation among lucerne silages inoculated with three microbial inoculants.

Paying For Our Keep: Grasslands Decision Support In More-Developed Countries, Andrew D. Moore

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Key points

1. A survey of decision support (DS) tools in grassland agriculture illustrates the diversity of decisions supported and of delivery technologies that are used. Larger, whole-enterprise planning tools are undergoing a period where their user interfaces are being adapted to better reflect the requirements and practice of advisory users.

2. The history of use of GrassGro, a ‘versatile simulator’, is used to illustrate how versatile tools attract a diverse range of users and uses. Lessons learnt by the GrassGro team are discussed.

3. Uptake rates of DS tools in grasslands are generally lower than was expected a decade …

Survey Of Tetraploid And Diploid Perennial Pastures In The Waikato For Number Of Spores Produced By The Fungus Pithomyces Chartarum, J. P. J. Eerens, W. W. Nichol, J. Waller, J. M. Mellsop, M. R. Trolove, M. G. Norriss

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Facial eczema (FE) is a disease of livestock, caused by a toxin released into the bloodstream after digestion of spores of Pithomyces chartarum, a fungus residing in necrotic plant material in the base of pastures (di Menna & Bailey, 1973). Spore numbers tend to be highest in warm, humid conditions, where high post grazing residuals have lead to a build up of necrotic plant material. Tetraploid perennial ryegrass pastures tend to be more palatable, and with lower post gazing residuals, than equivalent diploid pastures; thus we hypothesised that spore numbers would be lower in tetraploid pastures. A survey of …

A Survey Of European Regional Adaptation In Italian Ryegrass Varieties, T. J. Gilliland, A. J. P. Wijk

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Ryegrass is widely adapted to cool temperate eco-zones and breeders often submit individual varieties for testing in a number of EU countries. National testing programmes often combine data from several trial sites that may differ climatically, but not from sites in other member states, despite the possibility of high ecological similarity. Given increasing interest in ‘animal value’ characters (soluble sugars, lipids, sward geometry), additional testing for these would be valuable but is prohibited by capped or declining funding. Data sharing between EU national authorities could be advantageous but is inhibited by the lack of statistically valid data on the sensitivity …