<b>Microbial inoculation of alfalfa silage (<em>Medicago sativa</em>) and its effect on dry matter intake and ruminal fermentation in bovines</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v25i2.2074

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of microbial inoculation of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) for ensiling on dry matter intake, ruminal fermentation and liquid passage rate in twelve non pregnant dry cows. A randomized block design was used and the treatments were alfalfa haylage control (60% DM and 19.5% CP) or inoculated with Silobac^® product (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus). Experimental diet contained 50% of alfalfa silage and 50% of concentrate. Experimental period lasted for twenty-one days; the 21^st day was used for ruminal liquid sampling at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 e 12 hours after the first meal. Microbial inoculation of alfalfa silage did not influence DM intake (inoculated = 2.56 vs. control = 2.39% BW), pH (6.15 vs. 6.27), NH₃-N content of ruminant liquid (19.0 vs. 18.2mg/dl), total VFA concentration (122.5 vs. 113.8mM) or molar proportion of acetic (66.1 vs. 66.8% molar), propionic (21.1 vs. 19.6% molar) and butiric acid (12.8 vs. 13.6% molar). Neither ruminal liquid volume (59.5 vs. 63.4 litres) nor liquid passage rate of ruminal (8.6 vs. 8.0%/h) were influenced by inoculation.