The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of different storage periods of lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-fermented low moisture fresh rice straw silage. The low moisture fresh rice straw sample was inculcated with LAB and stored for different storage periods such as 45, 90, and 365 days, respectively. The low moisture fresh rice straw (LMFRS) silage inoculated with LAB exhibited reduction in pH throughout the fermentation as compared with the control (P<0.05). The lactic acid content was increased at the late fermentation period (90 and 365 days, respectively) in LAB inoculated LMFRS silage as compared with the control (P<0.05). In contrast, the acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations were slightly reduced in the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage sample at 90 and 365 days fermentation, respectively. Meanwhile, the non-inoculated LMFRS silage showed higher amounts of acetic acid and butyric acid at an extended fermentation with low bacterial population as compared with the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage. However, lactic acid concentration was slightly high in the non-inoculated LMFRS silage at early 45 days fermentation. Additionally, the nutrient profile such as crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and total digestibility nutrients (TDN) were not significantly different in control and LAB inculcated samples during all fermentation. Though, the microbial population was greater in the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage as compared with the control. However, the massive population was noted in the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage during all fermentation. It indicates that the inoculated LAB is the main reason for increasing fermentation quality in the sample through pH reduction by organic acids production. Overall results suggest that the LAB inoculums are the effective strain that could be a suitable for LMFRS silage fermentation at prolonged days.

The effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) mixtures on low moisture Italian ryegrass (IRG) silage fermentation was evaluated in field conditions. The experiment was categorized into two groups: Un-inoculated (Control) and Inoculated with LAB mixture for four storage periods (45, 90, 180, and 365 days, respectively). Silage inoculated with the LAB mixture had the lowest pH with highest lactic acid production than the control from beginning at 45-365 days at all moistures. Higher LAB counts were observed in inoculated silages than the control silages at whole experimental periods. It is a key reason for the rapid acidification and higher lactic acid production in silages during the storage periods. Overall results suggest that an adding of LAB mixture had positive effects on the increasing aerobic stability of silage and preserved its quality for an extended duration.

This study was carried out to investigate the growth characteristics, yield and feed value of Sorghum×Sudangrass hybrid for silage according to the drainage depths in the paddy field of lowland. The experimental design was arranged in a randomized block design with four treatments and three replication. The drainage depths of four treatments were 0cm, 20cm, 40cm and 60cm, respectively. Plant length, leaf length and leaf number were not significantly different, but leaf width increased as the higher the drainage depth(p<0.05). The number of dead leaf was higher in the order of 60cm > 0cm ≥ 40cm ≥ 20cm treatment(p<0.05). Green degree was higher in the order of 20cm > 40cm > 0cm > 60cm treatment(p<0.05). Stem diameter and stem hardness increased significantly as drainage depth increased from 0cm to 60cm(p<0.05). Also, fresh yield, dry matter yield and TDN yield increased as the higher the drainage depth(p<0.05). Crude protein and TDN content were the highest in 40cm treatment(p<0.05). Crude ash was higher in the order of 20cm > 40cm > 0cm > 60cm treatment(p<0.05). ADF and NDF content were the highest in 0cm treatment(p<0.05). Total mineral content was higher in the order of 20cm > 0cm > 40cm > 60cm(p<0.05). Free sugar content(fructose, glucose and sucrose) was the highest in 0cm treatment(p<0.05). Total amino acid(EAA+NEAA) was higher in 40cm than the other treatments(p<0.05). There is a difference in the content of ingredients(crude protein, TDN, mineral, free sugar and amino acid) according to the treatments. But considering dry matter yield and TDN yield, Sorghum×Sudangrass hybrid cultivation is advantageous to set the drainage depth of about 60cm in the paddy field of lowland.

This study was aimed to determine the effects of hybrid and inoculant on in vitro rumen digestibility and rumen fermentation indices of corn silage. Two corn hybrids(Kwangpyeongok (KW) vs. Pioneer 1543(PI)) were ensiled for 100 days with two inoculants(L. plantarum(LP) vs. L. buchneri(LB)) applied at 1.2 × 105 cfu/g of fresh forage. Silages were incubated in rumen fluid medium at 39℃ for 72 hours. Both of KW and PI had no difference(p>0.05) on in vitro digestibility of dry matter(IVDMD) and neutral detergent fiber(IVNDFD), while application of LB produced higher(p<0.05) IVDMD and IVNDFD than LP. Hybrid and inoculant applications did not affect(p>0.05) total gas volume, ammonia-N, total VFA, and acetate concentrations in the rumen. Applied LB was higher(p<0.05) propionate concentration than LP, while hybrids had no effect(p>0.05). Furthermore, the interaction effect(p<0.05) was occurred in propionate concentration. Butyrate concentration did not affected(p>0.05) by hybrid and inoculant applications, but there was an interaction effect between hybrid and inoculant(p<0.05). Applications of hybrid and inoculant had effects(p<0.05) on iso-butyrate and valerate, without any interaction effects(p>0.05). This study concluded that application of KW and PI has no effects on in vitro rumen digestibility and rumen fermentation indices of corn silage, while application of LB increase the rumen digestibility in both of corn hybrids.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of new inoculants on in vitro digestibility and fermentation characteristics of high moisture rye silage. Rye was harvested at heading stage and divided into 5 treatments, following: No additives(CON); L. plantarum R48-27(NI1); L. buchneri R4-26(NI2); mixture of NI1 and NI2 at 1:1 ratio(MIX); and L. buchneri(LB). The rye forage was ensiled into 10 L bucket silo for 100 days. In vitro digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber were highest(p<0.05) in NI2 silage. The pH in NI2 and LB silages were lower(p<0.05) than CON silage. Lactate concentration was highest(p<0.05) in NI1 silage. While concentrations of acetate and propionate were highest(p<0.05) in MIX silage. Lactates : acetate ratio was highest(p<0.05) in NI1 silage, but lowest in LB silage. Butyrate concentrations of NI2 and LB silages were lower(p<0.05) than that in CON and NI1 silages. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in all inoculated silages was higher(p<0.05) than that in CON silage, while yeast count in LB silage was lower than in CON, NI1, and MIX silages. In conclusion, application of NI2 inoculant could improve potentially fermentation quality and digestibility of high moisture rye silage.

This study was carried out to estimate the effect of selected inoculants on chemical compositions and fermentation characteristics of rye silage. Rye was harvested at dough stage and divided into 5 treatments, following: No additives (CON); L. plantarum R48-27 (LP27); L. buchneri R4-26 (LB26); Mixture of LP27 and LB26 at 1:1 ratio (MIX); and L. buchneri (LB). The rye forage was ensiled into 10 L bucket silo for 100 days. The contents of NDF and ADF were lowest (P<0.05) in LB26. The pH in LB26, MIX, and LB were lower (P<0.05) than CON and LP27. Lactate content in LB was higher (P<0.05) than the others, while acetate content in LB26 and LB were higher (P<0.05) than that in CON and LP27. Lactate to acetate ratio was highest (P<0.05) in LB, but lowest in LB26. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in LB was higher (P<0.05) than that in CON, while yeast count in CON was lower than in all silages applied inoculants. In conclusion, silages inoculated with LB26 could improve potentially the aerobic stability caused by increases of acetate and propionate concentrations.

This study aimed to determine the optimal harvesting time for wheat to make grain silage, in Honam region of Korea. We harvested wheat grain every third day from 30 to 42 days after heading (DAH). The moisture content decreased from 61.6% at 30 DAH to 42.8% at 42 DAH. Yield of wheat grain significantly increased from 30 to 42 DAH (p< 0.05). Yield at 39 DAH (3.46T/ha) was not significantly different from that at 42 DAH (p< 0.05). With respect to the feed value of wheat grain silage, the amount of crude protein, crude fiber, and crude ash was different by harvesting time (p< 0.05). However, the amount of total digestible nutrients (TDN) from 30 and 42 DAH was not significantly different. The pH of wheat grain silage from 30 to 42 DAH was between 3.8 and 4.5 and it was stable until 39 DAH (p< 0.05). The lactic acid content of wheat grain silage from 30 to 42 DAH decreased from 3.08% to 1.10%. With respect to moisture content, yield, feed value, and fermentation, the optimal harvesting time for wheat grain silage was 39 DAH.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of equation being used to estimate the total digestible nutrients (TDN) of whole crop rice silage (WCRS) in sheep. To compare the observed and estimated TDN contents [estimated TDN content=87.57-(0.737×ADF)], two varieties of WCRS from Nokyang (NS) and Samgwang (SS) as forage and food source, respectively, were used as a treatment. Nine female Corriedale sheep (average body weight: 49.2±6.3 kg) were used as the experimental animals. The ewes were fed according to their nutrient requirements at the maintenance level. To check the difference between the observed and estimated TDN contents, one sample non-parametric t-test was applied. The CP, NFE and CF contents of the NS were 43.6, 74.2 and 64.2%, respectively, and that of the SS were 46.2, 58.1 and 44.9%, respectively. The observed and estimated TDN contents of the NS were 63.5 and 61.5%, where there was no significant difference. The observed and estimated TDN contents of the SS were 48.9 and 59.0%, where there was significant difference (p<0.05) This research confirmed the validity of TDN estimation equation being used for estimation of TDN of WCRS as forage source, but further research is recommended on the equation for estimating TDN contents of WCRS as food source.

This study was conducted to investigate the feed value and silage quality according to storage period and film layers in whole crop oat silage. The crude protein content was increased in all silage during the storage periods compared to those before silage, under prolonged storage period slightly and the number of film layers of silage, six layer were higher than four layers, but no significant. NDF and ADF contents were also increased in all silage of storage duration compared to those before silage, but they was similar level between storage duration and number of film layers. TDN content was decreased of the storage duration. However, it was similar under the storage duration and the number of film layers. The pH value was decreased during prolonged storage period and six layers was lower than four layers depending on the film layers. In the organic acid contents, lactic acid and acetic acid were increased under the prolonged storage duration, and butyric acid was higher significantly(p<0.05), six layers of the film were showed higher lactic acid and lower butyric acid(p<0.05). Therefore, oat silage should be used within 6 months it was when treated with 4 layers, if considering the long-term storage, it is desirable to treat it with 6 layers or more.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of addition of lactic acid bacteria inoculants on quality of rye silage harvested at early heading stage. The nutritive values in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculated group showed similar results to control. The pH of rye silage in LAB inoculation significantly decreased as compared to control (P<0.05). In addition, the content of lactic acid in LAB inoculation significantly increased (P<0.05), but the content of acetic acid in LAB treatments decreased. In addition, lactic acid bacterial counts in LAB inoculation significantly increased as compared to control (P<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that rye silage could be improved by LAB inoculation.