Comparison of the fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability and nutritive value of barley and corn silages ensiled with or without a mixed bacterial inoculant
Addah, W. Baah, J. Groenewegen, P. Okine, E. K. and McAllister, T. A. 2011. Comparison of the fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability and nutritive value of barley and corn silages ensiled with or without a mixed bacterial inoculant. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 133 146. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L. and corn (Zea mays) silage are the most commonly used forages in feedlot diets in western Canada, and are often inoculated in an effort to improve their preservation and quality. However, the relative value of these two forages in feedlot diets or their responses to inoculation have not previously been compared. Whole crop barley (B) and corn (C) forage were ensiled for 63 and 77 d, respectively, in both mini silos and Ag Bags(r) without and with inoculation [Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici at 1.0x105 CFU g 1 forage; inoculated barley (IB) inoculated corn (IC) At the end of the ensiling period in mini silos, the pH of C and IC was lower (P<0.001) than B and IB silag.