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Agriculture

Effects of Silage on Total Mixed Rations with Different Dry Matter Contents

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study from Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University investigates the impact of silage on the quality characteristics and aerobic stability of total mixed rations (TMR) made with maize forage of varying dry matter (DM) contents. Researchers examined the effects of low dry matter (LDM) and high dry matter (HDM) levels on TMRs prepared using maize forage. The study aims to assess the suitability of adding high dry matter corn forage to TMR and the effect of ensiling on fermentation quality and resistance to aerobic deterioration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the addition of high dry matter corn forage to TMR and ensiling of TMR improved fermentation quality and resistance to aerobic deterioration.
  • The pH values in TMR samples increased during aerobic stability, but more noticeably in unensilled groups.
  • Internal and ambient temperature values in ensilled TMR remained within confidence intervals, whereas unensilled TMR samples exhibited higher temperatures than ambient values.
  • Under aerobic conditions, unensilled TMR silages deteriorated rapidly.
  • The study suggests a need for further research to determine the aerobic deterioration and digestibility properties of TMR silages with different dry matter contents.
  • The researchers emphasize the importance of ensiling TMR to maintain fermentation quality and resistance to aerobic deterioration.

Statistics:

  • The study involved five repetitively generated TMR silages.
  • Aerobic stability tests were conducted for 5 days at the end of the 45-day fermentation period.
  • pH values in TMR samples increased by 0.05 units during aerobic stability.
  • Crude protein (CP), acide detergent lignin (ADL), and dry matter (DM) concentrations of ensilled and unensilled TMR samples were affected by group x day interaction (P 0.05).

Sources:

  • Determination of Fermentation Characteristics of a Total Mixed Ration Prepared with Maize Forage with Different Dry Matter Contents. Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology, 2025,13(6):1498-1504. (Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology - http://agrifoodscience.com/index.php/TURJAF/index)
  • NewsRx. Reports from Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University Describe Recent Advances in Agriculture (Determination of Fermentation Characteristics of a Total Mixed Ration Prepared with Maize Forage with Different Dry Matter Contents). Food Weekly News. July 17, 2025; p 175.

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