Evaluation of the chemical composition and the particle size of maize silages produced in north-west of Portugal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2000

Authors

Antonio J M Fonseca (Author) ICBAS; A. Cabrita (Author) FCUP; Lage, AM (Author) Other; Gomes, E (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Animal Feed Science and Technology

Vol. 83

Pages: 173-183

ISSN: 0377-8401

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Agrarian Sciences > Zootechnics

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Animal and Dairy science

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-0KS

DOI: 10.1016/s0377-8401(00)00102-4

Abstract (EN): The chemical composition and the particle size distribution of 37 maize silages produced in north-west of Portugal were determined. Mean dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and starch were 288+/-33, 81+/-9, 502+/-45 and 229+/-54 g kg(-1) DM, respectively. Particle size was determined by manual separation of fresh silage into three fractions: material >30 mm in length; material between 30 and 10 mm in length; and material <10 mm in length. Linear interpolation and extrapolation calculated median particle si:ee, The effects of chopping-harvesting machine type and percentage of blades used to chop maize plants were also analysed. The results of this study suggested that most farmers chopped the maize plants very coarsely prior to storage. In fact, the type of chopping-harvesting machine had no effect on median particle size, but the percentage of blades used affected significantly (p<0.001) this parameter. This can prevent maximisation of voluntary intake and high milk yields. Therefore, extension work is necessary to implement the fine chop of maize plants and to correctly choose as well harvest date and the maize varieties that are most adapted to local production conditions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11