Silage inoculants, crucial in modern silage production, comprise beneficial microorganisms, primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB), strategically applied to forage material during ensiling. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of various inoculants produced by different companies. Five treatments were evaluated, including a control group: T1 (Lactobacillus plantarum), T2 (Lactobacillus plantarum + Pediococcus pentosaceus), T3 (Lactobacillus plantarum + Pediococcus pentosaceus + Lactobacillus buchneri), T4 (Lactobacillus plantarum + Lactobacillus acidophilus + Lactobacillus bulgaricus), and T5 (Lactobacillus plantarum + Pediococcus pentosaceus + Enterococcus faecium). Italian ryegrass was harvested at the heading stage and treated with these silage inoculants. Samples were collected over a 60-day ensiling period. Co-inoculation with L. plantarum and P. pentosaceus (T2) resulted in significantly higher CP compared to the control group co-inoculation exhibited with resulted in Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus in the T2 treatment exhibited higher CP content of 106.35 g/kg dry matter (DM). The T3 treatment, which included heterofermentative bacterial strains such as Lactobacillus buchneri, exhibited an increase in acetic acid concentration (11.15 g/kg DM). In the T4 treatment group, which utilized a mixed culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, the NH3-N/TN content was observed to be the lowest (20.52 g/kg DM). The T5 containing Enterococcus faecium had the highest RFV (123) after 60 days. Expanding upon these findings, the study underscores not only the beneficial effects of particular inoculant treatments on silage quality but also underscores the potential of customized inoculation strategies in maximizing nutrient retention and overall silage preservation.

Corn silage is extensively utilized in ruminant feeding on a global scale, with substantial research efforts directed towards enhancing its nutritional worth and managing moisture content. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of normal cutting height and elevated cutting height on whole-crop corn silage. Corn was harvested at heights of 15 cm and 45 cm above the ground, respectively, 45 days after heading. The harvested corn was cut into 2-3 cm lengths and packed into 20-liter plastic silos in triplicate. The results showed that dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of C45 were significantly higher than those of the control, while the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was significantly lower in C45 (p<0.05). The C15 had higher yields than C45 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total digestible nutrients (TDN) yield of whole-crop corn silage. The increase in cutting height resulted in a larger change in moisture content and NDF per centimeter. After 60 days-ensiling, C45 showed significantly lower NH3-N concentrations. Moreover, C45 had significantly higher lactic acid concentration, lactic acid/acetic acid ratio, and lactic acid bacteria count compared to the control. Mold was not detected and the yeast count was less than 2 log10 cfu/g fresh matter in both control and C45. In summary, C45 improved the feeding value and fermentation quality of whole-crop corn silage at the expense of forage productivity.

This experiment was conducted to confirm the possibility of preparing Sorghum×sudangrass hybrid artificial hay using far-infrared rays in Korea. The machine used in this experiment is a drying device based on far-infrared rays, and is designed to control temperature, air flow rate, far-infrared radiation amount, and air flow speed. The Sorghum×sudangrass hybrids harvested in late September were wilted in the field for one day, and a drying test was performed on them. Conditions for drying were performed by selecting a total of 7 conditions, and each condition induced a change in radiation amount in a single condition (42%) and two steps (4 treatments) and three steps (2 treatments). The speed of the air flow in the device was fixed at 60 m/s, and the run time was changed to 30, 60, and 90 minutes. The average dry matter (DM) content was 82.84%. The DM content was 59.94 and 76.91%, respectively, in drying conditions 1 and 3, which were not suitable for hay. In terms of drying rate, it was significantly higher than 80% in the 5, 6 and 7 treatment, and power consumption was slightly high with an average of 5.7 kw/h. As for the feed value according to each drying condition, the crude protein (CP) content increased as the drying time increased, and there was no significant difference between treatments in ADF, NDF, IVDMD and TDN content. In terms of RFV, treatment 1, which is a single condition, was significantly lower than the complex condition. Through the above results, it was determined that the drying conditions 4 and 5 were the most advantageous when considering the drying speed, power consumption, and quality.

본 시험은 우리나라에서 원적외선을 이용한 이탈리안 라이그 라스 인공건초 조제 가능성을 확인하기 위해 수행되었다. 본 시험 에 사용된 기계는 온도, 송풍량, 원적외선 방사량을 조절할 수 있 는 원적외선 건조기로 5월에 수확한 이탈리안 라이그라스를 대상 으로 실시하였다. 건조를 위한 조건은 전체 9개의 조건을 선택하 여 수행하였으며 각각의 조건은 방사율 42∼45 %로 설정을 하였 으며 내부 온도는 65℃로 설정하였다. 기기내의 기류의 속도는 40 ∼60m/s로 하였으며, 전체적인 건조시간은 방사량 42%는 30분, 43%는 25분 그리고 45%는 20분으로 하여 수행하였다. 각각의 건조조건에 따른 최종 건물함량은 평균 88.5%로 나타났으며 전 처리에서 건초에 적합한 건물함량을 나타내었다. 건조 조건에 따 른 전력 소비량을 보면 45% 방사량에서 20분간을 건조한 처리구 에서 가장 낮게 나타났다. 건조율에 있어서는 1∼5번 건조 조건에 서는 차이가 없었으나 6∼7조건에서는 유의적으로 낮은 경향을 보였다. 사료가치에 있어서는 대부분의 건조조건에서 원물보다 CP, IVDMD는 높았고 ADF, NDF 함량은 낮게 나타났으며 대체 적으로 4, 7 및 8번 건조 조건에서 높은 경향을 보였다. 이상의 결과를 통하여 건조속도, 전력량, 품질 등을 고려할 때 7 및 8번 건조조건이 가장 유리한 것으로 판단되었다.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth characteristics and productivity of silage corn varieties developed in Korea. Corn cultivation was carried out using the experimental field in the Pyeongchang campus of Seoul National University (550 m above sea level). There have 10 domestic cultivars (Gwangpyeongok, Dacheongok, Yanganok, Jangdaok, Cheongdaok, Daanok, Sinhwangok, Sinhwangok Ⅱ, Pyeonggangok, and Hwangdaok) with one imported cultivar (P1543) which tested as a control, and randomized block design with three replications. Among the 100-grains weight of the seeds, Dacheongok was the heaviest, and the germination rate for each variety was 74.6% on average, while that of Daanok and Sinhwangok were over 90%. Sinhwangok was the fastest in tasseling and silking date. The number of days required to be silking date was as slow as 85 days in Dacheongok, Cheongdaok and Pyeonggangok, and as fast as 80 days or less in Sinhwangok, Sinhwangok Ⅱ and Hwangdaok. The plant height of P1543 was the highest as 344cm, and Hwangdaok and Daanok were short. In terms of the ratio of ears, Daanok had the highest rate of 60.18%, and Jangdaok and Dacheongok had the lowest. There was no significant difference in dry matter content in stover, but P1543 was generally higher in ear and total dry matter content. The dry matter yield was highest in P1543, and the yield of TDN was significantly higher in P1543 and Yanganok. There was a significant difference in the crude protein content of ears and the dry digestibility of stems (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the content of each part or element. Combining the above results, Yanganok was the highest in terms of yield, and Dacheongok, Sinhwangok and Pyeonggangok were also recommended for domestically grown corn varieties in the mountainous regions of Gangwon-do.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the change in the productivity of Italian ryegrass seeds according to the inter-row spacing in the southern region of the Korean Peninsula. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ‘Green Call’ variety was sown in Jinju, Gyeongnam in the fall of 2020 with three inter-row spacings (20, 30 and 40 cm). The experiment was arranged a randomized block design with three replications. The ryegrass was sown on October 17, 2020, and the harvest was on May 31, about 60 days from the first heading stage. There was no difference among treatments with an average of April 27th in heading stage. Plant height was significantly longer at 30 cm seeding interval and the shortest in 20 cm treatment. The length of the spike was the longest in the 40 cm seeding interval, and the number of seeds per spike was the highest in the 20cm seeding interval, but there was no significant difference among treatments. The seed yield was the highest at the 20 cm sowing interval (2,180 kg/ha), and decreased as the spacing increased. The dry matter content of seeds and straw was found to be 44.90% and 45.51% on average, and there was no significant difference among treatments. The amount of remaining straw after harvesting was found to be 7,506 kg/ha on average on DM basis, and was high at the 20 cm seeding interval. In view of the above results, it was found that it is most advantageous to sow at intervals of 20 cm when producing Italian ryegrass seeds through autumn sowing in the southern region.

This experiment was conducted to establish the technology for artificial hay preparation in Korea. Using far-infrared heater, a device that can control temperature, airflow, and far-infrared radiation was produced and conducted on the fourth harvested alfalfa. The drying conditions were carried out by selecting a total of four conditions. For each condition, the radiation rate was set to around 40% (33-42%), and the temperature was set at 58~65℃, and the speed of the airflow was fixed at 60m/s. The overall drying time was set to 30 min in the single and 60 min (30-30 min) and 90 min (30-30-30 min) in the complex condition, and the radiation rate and temperature were changed by time period. In the case of drying condition 1, the final dry matter (DM) content was 46.26%, which did not reach a DM suitable for hay. However, all of the alfalfa corresponding to the remaining drying conditions 2 to 7 showed a DM content of 80% or more, resulting in optimal alfalfa hay production. In power consumption according to the drying conditions, the second drying condition showed the lowest at 4.7 KW, and the remaining drying conditions were as high as 6.5 to 7.1 KW. The crude protein content was found to be high at an average of 25.91% and it showed the highest content in the 5th drying condition (26.93%) and the lowest value in the 6th drying condition (25.16%). The digestibility showed a high value with an average of 84.90%, and there was no significant difference among treatments (p>0.05). Considering the above results, it was judged that drying condition 2 was the most advantageous.

To investigate the domestic seed production potential of Italian ryegrass, it was sown in autumn in the southern region and harvested in the spring of the following year to investigate the productivity and quality of seeds and straw. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ‘GreenCall’ variety was sown in Jinju, Gyeongnam in the fall of 2020 with three seeding rates (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha). The experiment was arranged consisted of a randomized block design with three replications. The ryegrass was sown on October 17, 2020, and the harvest was on May 31, about 60 days from the heading stage. The heading stage of Italian ryegrass was April 28, and there was no difference among treatments. Plant height was significantly shorter in the 40 kg/ha seeding treatment group, and there was no significant difference in the remaining treatments. The resistance of lodging, disease, and cold did not show significant differences among treatments. Spike length and number of seeds per spike were highest at 20 kg/ha seeding amount, and there was no difference in the remaining treatments. The seed yield was the highest at 1,956 kg/ha in the 20 kg/ha seeding rate, and there was no difference in the 30 and 40 kg/ha seeding rates. The dry matter content of seeds and straws was 45.60 and 41.83% on average, and there was no significant difference among treatments. The amount of remaining straw after seed harvesting was found to be 7,689 kg/ha on average on a dry basis, and it was high in the 40 kg/ha sowing area, but there was no significant difference among treatments. According to the above results, it was found that it is most advantageous to sow at 20 kg/ha when producing Italian ryegrass seeds through autumn sowing in the southern region.

본 시험은 사료용 벼의 생산 및 이용 확대를 위해 한우에 대한 급여 효과를 규명하는 것을 목적으로 수행되었다. 경기도 평택에서 생산된 사료용 벼를 활용하여 TMR 사료를 조제하였고 한우 육성우 16두를 대상으로 29개월령까지의 생장능력과 육질특성 변화를 조사하였다. 생산된 사료용 벼 사일리지는 수분함량이 64.02%, 조단백질 함량이 7.54%로 나타났으며 육성기에는 약 45% 정도를 배합하였고 비육기(전기, 중기 및 후기)에는 각각 35, 15 및 9% 로 낮추어 배합하였다. 체중은 WCR-TMR 급여구가 비육중기와 후기에 대조구에 비해 유의적으로 무거웠고, 종료시(29개월령)는 대조구가 631 kg/head 였으나 WCR-TMR급여구는 647 kg/head 로 무거웠다. 일당증체는 육성기와 비육전기에 WCR-TMR급여구가 유의적으로 높았으며 비육중기 및 후기는 차이가 없었다. 전 기간에 있어서는 0.71 vs 0.75 kg/head/day 로 WCR-TMR급여구가 높게 나타났다. 육량에 있어서는 대조구의 등지방 두께(11.7 mm)가 WCR-TMR급여구(9.3 mm)보다 유의적으로 두껍게 나타났다(P<0.05). 등심단면적, 도체중 및 육량지수에서는 차이가 없었다. 육질에 있어서는 Marbling score가 WCR-TMR급여구에서 높게 나타났으며(P<0.05), 육색, 지방색, 조직감 및 성숙도에 있어서는 유의적인 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때 사료용 벼 위주 TMR 급여는 가축의 생산성을 개선시켰으나 육질에 있어서는 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 따라서 조사료 사정이 열악한 나라에서는 사료용 벼의 생산 및 이용이 필요한 것으로 판단된다.

Cutting management has been identified as a critical factor in the alfalfa production systems because it has a significant impact on maximizing yield and maintaining the forage quality. The objective of this experiment was to determine the proper cutting height according to harvesting time for optimizing nutrient yield and forage nutritive quality of alfalfa grown in alpine regions of Korea. Alfalfa was sown at a seeding rate of 30 kg/ha in August 2018 and harvested at four cuttings in 2019 (3 May, 2 July, 11 September, and 13 October). Cutting heights were adjusted at 5, 15, and 25 cm above the soil surface. Alfalfa plant was tallest at the third cutting (109 cm), which was on average 35 cm taller than the first or second cutting. Relative feed value (RFV) remained unaffected by cutting height at the first harvest, but increased consistently in subsequent harvests as cutting height increased. Alfalfa collected at the first and fourth cuttings had the highest RFV (mean 152), which was on average 8 and 67 units higher than the second and third harvests, respectively. At each harvest, in vitro dry matter digestibility was highest in alfalfa cut at a 25-cm height. Dry matter (DM) production at each cutting height was highest in the first cutting, accounting for on average 36-37% of total annual DM production, and lowest in the fourth harvest, accounting for about 11-13% of the total DM yield. The total dry matter production (in four harvests) was 4,218 kg/ha higher when alfalfa was subjected to a cutting height of 5 cm rather than 25 cm. Cutting height had no effect on total crude protein yield, but from the first to fourth cutting, the protein yield followed a decreasing trend. Finally, there were visible declines in forage nutritive quality when alfalfa was cut at a shorter height. However, the magnitude of difference in total forage yield may outweigh the slight decline in forage quality when alfalfa is cut at a lower height. The findings of this study could help the alfalfa growers make better harvest management decisions.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of species and varieties of summer forage crops on growth characteristics and productivity in Sihwa reclaimed land. The summer forage crops used in the trial were silage corn, sorghum×sudangrass hybrid(SSH), and proso millet. For each forage species, Gwangpyeongok(GPO), P15453, P1952 and P2088 were used for silage corn, and 877F, Green star, Honey chew, and Turbo gold cultivars were used for SSH. For proso millet, Ibaekchal, Geumsilchal and Manhongchal developed by the National Institute of Crop Science were used. Silage corn and SSH were sown on May 21, 2019 and proso millet on June 4, and harvested on September 2. There was no significant difference in plant and ear height of silage corn among varieties. P1543 was the highest and P2088 was the lowest in yield of silage corn, but there was no significant difference among treatments. Among the SSH, the plant height of 877F was the highest and Turbo gold variety had the smallest (p<0.05). As for the dry matter(DM) yields, 877F had the highest at 3,862 kg/ha and Green star had the lowest at 2,669 kg/ha (p<0.05). The fresh matter yield of proso millet was 15,778 kg/ha, which was higher than that of corn or SSH, The average dry matter yield was 4,780 kg/ha, and Ibaekchal variety had the highest DM yield compared to other varieties (p<0.05). P2088 had the highest TDN content and GPO was the lowest (p<0.05). As for the SSH, the TDN content of Green star and Honey chew varieties was significantly higher, and the RFV value was the lowest in Turbo gold. The average crude protein content of proso millet was 7.03%, and the highest TDN and RFV values were 64.36% and 106 in Geumsilchal. In the experiment of the germination rate of summer forage crops according to salt concentration, silage corn showed a germination rate of 83.1% even at 0.4% salinity. In particular, P2088 and P1921 varieties had more than 80% germination rate even at 0.6% salt concentration. As for the SSH, the germination rate of 877F was 93.3% even at 0.8% salinity, and 88.3% with Honey chew, indicating higher resistance to salt concentration compared to other varieties. Proso millet showed a high germination rate of 84.0 to 88.7% even at a salt concentration of 0.6%. Considering the above results, proso millet was recommended as the most suitable forage crop species in the Sihwa reclaimed land with high salt concentration, and the Ibaekchal variety is recommended as a suitable forage crop due to its high yield.

This experiment was conducted to compare the seed productivity of Spring sown Italian ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum Lam.) depending on the seeding rates(20kg/ha, 30kg/ha, 40kg/ha) in Gangwon region. The experiment was a randomized block design with three replications. The test plots were located in alpine areas of about 600 m above sea level in Gangwon province. The tested Italian ryegrass variety was ‘Greencall’ developed by the National Institute of Animal Science, RDA. Italian Ryegrass was sown on March 26, 2020, and the seed harvesting was on the 60th day(2 July) from heading date. The heading date was May 8 with no difference, There were no significant differences in the agronomic characteristics including plant height. 30kg/ha seed rate was the highest at 146.8 seed/spike and 40kg/ha seed rate was the lowest at 114.7 seed/spike for the number of seeds per spike. The number of spikes per unit area was the highest in 40kg/ha at 886/m2 and the lowest in 20kg/ha at 750/m2. The yield of seed and straw was the highest in 40kg/ha at 1,288kg/ha and 2,970kg/ha respectively, but there was no difference. From the above results, the production of Italian ryegrass seeds through spring sowing in the Gangwon region is not much than autumn seeding, requiring the input of various technologies to increase productivity in the future, and it is desirable to determine the production cost through economic analysis was evaluated.

This experiment was conducted to study on the growth characteristics and seed productivity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., IRG) planted in the Spring in Gangwon Highland according to the seeding distance (20, 30 and 40 cm). The field was located in highland around 600 m above sea level. The experimental design was randomized block design with three replication and the tested IRG variety was ‘Greencall’ developed by National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS). IRG was sown on March 26, 2020, and harvested on July 2. The plant height was the shortest at 80.5 cm in the 40 cm seeding distance plot (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the 20 and 30 cm seeding distance. The number of spike per square meter (m2) was significantly higher in the 20 cm seeding distance plot than that of 40 cm (937 vs. 571). The dry matter (DM) content of seed and straw after harvesting was 49.70 and 33.36 % on average, and there was no significant difference between treatments (P>005). However, there was a significant difference in the fresh and DM yield of seeds and straw (P<0.05). DM yield of seeds was significantly higher in 20 cm distance than that of 40 cm, and the yield of straw was the same trend. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in DM yield between 20 cm and 30 cm and also in the feed value of straw after seed harvesting among seeding distance. The average CP, ADF, NDF, and TDN contents were 6.91, 36.76, 61.75 and 59.86%, respectively, and the RFV value was 91. Considering the above results, the production of Italian ryegrass seeds sown in the spring in the highlands of the Gangwon is lower than that of autumn sowing, but it is judged that it needs to be reviewed in case it is unavoidable. In the future, there should be an economic analysis and the development of technology that can increase production.

This experiment was conducted to compare the seed productivity of the Italian ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum Lam.) varieties sown in the spring in Gangwon region. The experiment was randomized block design with three replications. The Experimental field was located in alpine areas of about 600 m above sea level in Gangwon province. The tested Italian Ryegrass varieties were ‘Greenfarm’, ‘Greencall’ and ‘Kowinearly’ developed by National Institute of Animal Science, RDA. Italian Ryegrass varieties were sown on March 26, 2020, and the harvest was on the 60th day of mean heading date, July 2. The heading date of Kowinearly was May 8, but Greenfarm and Greencall was May 4. The plant length was the largest in the Kowinearly variety. However, the Kowinearly suffered severe lodging. There was no significant difference in the length of spike among varieties, and the number of seeds per spike was the lowest in Greenfarm at 118.5 seed/spike. As for the seed weight per spike, the Greenfarm variety was significantly lower at 0.56 g/spike, but the 1,000 seed weight was the heaviest in the Greenfarm at 2.5g.. The number of spike per unit area was the highest in Greenfarm at 906/m2. The dry matter content of seeds was the highest in Greenfarm at 54.3%, and for straw, Kowinearly was the highest at 35.3%. Seed productivity was not significant among varieties, and the average was 1,493 kg/ha. The yield of straw after seed production was also not significant among varieties (P>0.05), and the average was 3,172 kg/ha. From the above results, the production of Italian ryegrass seeds through spring sowing in the Gangwon region is not much than autumn seeding, requiring the input of various technologies to increase productivity in the future, and it is desirable to determine the production cost through economic analysis was judged.

These experiments were to investigate the variations of rye on forage quality, productivity and β-carotene concentration affected by maturity in Pyeongchang region. Limited information are available about how forage quality and β-carotene content are affected by various factors. Samples were collected from rye harvested every 5 days, from April 25 to May 31 (April 25, April 30, May 4, May 9, May 15, May 21, May 25 and May 31). Dry matter (DM) content, plant height, DM yield and total digestible nutrient (TDN) yield increased continuously with the progressed maturity. However, crude protein (CP) content, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and relative feed value (RFV) decreased markedly with the delay of harvesting, while TDN content decreased from April 25 till May 15, then followed by a stable fluctuation. Conversely, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) value increased and then fluctuated slightly after blooming stage. For quality of plant parts, stem contained the lowest CP content and RFV value, and the highest ADF and NDF contents compared with other parts, while the grain showed the higher CP, IVDMD, RFV and lower fiber contents than others. With the plant matured, leaf proportion decreased while stem and grain proportion increased, and feed value of all the three parts decreased till blooming stage and followed by a stable phase. β-carotene concentration showed its highest on jointing stage, and then fell down sharply on the sequential stages. In conclusion, harvest around May 15 (blooming) is proper for forage rye if directly consumed by livestock as green chop in Pyeongchang under the consideration of both nutritive yield and forage quality.