Evaluation of a new corn silage sampling technique.
(C06-kalaher365785-oral)
Authors:
C.J. Kalaher* - Golden Harvest Seeds/Sommer Bros. Seed Co.
B. McCorkle - Golden Harvest Seeds/Sommer Bros. Seed Co.
R. King - Golden Harvest Seeds/Sommer Bros. Seed Co.
R. Porter - Agriculver Seeds, Inc.
Abstract:
When preserving corn silage samples for forage quality analysis, three methods have been used in academia and private industry. These methods are frozen unfermented samples, pvc pipe to create a
“mini-silo” for fermented samples, and oven-dried unfermented samples. Consistency and accuracy in determining forage quality using these methods has been questionable. Freezing samples can degrade cell walls, thereby creating inflated digestibility values. Samples packaged with the “mini-silo” method may lack compression consistency between samples. Oven-dried samples rely on drying capacity and the capability of getting samples to a dryer prior to mold production. Because of these concerns, agronomists at Golden Harvest/Sommer Brothers Seed Company have evaluated and developed a novel method for packaging silage samples in the field. This new technique provides a rapid anaerobic state, thereby creating an acidic and ideal fermentation environment. Most importantly, this process provides samples that are more consistent than other methods currently utilized. In replicated
experiments, variability coefficients for dNDF (30hr.) and IVTD (30hr.) were lowest with the Golden Harvest Consistent Silage Analysis system when compared to other methods. This new technique results in forage quality data that is more consistent, allowing for easier and more accurate separation of corn silage hybrids for forage quality.
Speaker Information: Chad Kalaher, Golden Harvest Seeds/Sommer Bros. Seed Co., PO Box 248, Pekin, IL 61555; Phone: (309)346-2127; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Monday, November 3, 2003, 7:55 AM-10:00 AM Presentation Start: 7:55 AM
