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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2014, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (6): 95-102.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140612

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Fermentation and aerobic stability of mixed ration forages in Tibet

WANG Yong1,YUAN Xian-jun1,GUO Gang1,2,WEN Ai-you1,WANG Jian1,XIAO Shen-hua1,YU Cheng-qun3,BA Sang4,SHAO Tao1   

  1. 1.Institute of Ensiling and Processing of Grass, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China;
    2.College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China;
    3.Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
    4.The Prairie workstation of Shigatse, Tibet 857000, China
  • Received:2013-11-14 Online:2014-12-20 Published:2014-12-20

Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify opportunities to improve the utilization of crop straw and forage resources in Tibet. The experiment was based on the total mixed ration (TMR) typically used in local dairy systems, comprising whole-crop corn and barley straw (TMR-1), comparing substitutes for whole-crop corn; alfalfa (TMR-2), whole-crop oat (TMR-3) or wheat straw (TMR-4) at different ratios. After 45 d fermentation, pH values of TMR-2, TMR-3 and TMR-4 treatments were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of TMR-1, while corresponding lactic acid contents were lower. Propionic acid and butyric acid were very low in all treatments except TMR-1 and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen was <100 g/kg TN, indicating that fermentation was good in all treatments. Water-soluble carbohydrate content in all treatments was significantly lower (P<0.05) after 45 d of fermentation. The dry matter content of all treatments except TMR-1 remained constant,while crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and ether extract increased in all treatments. The crude protein content of TMR-2 and TMR-3 were above 15%, sufficient for dairy production. During aerobic exposure, lactic acid, acetic acid and water-soluble carbohydrate content of all treatments declined. Propionate and butyrate content initially increased after three days of aerobic exposure and then gradually decreased in all treatments. After 9 d of aerobic exposure, the pH increased but the increase was minimal in TMR-3, indicating good aerobic stability. It was concluded that TMR-3 group could be used to produce TMR in Tibet.

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