209
Effect of harvest method of corn residue on digestibility

Tuesday, March 17, 2015: 2:00 PM
308-309 (Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center)
Janessa J Updike , University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Levi J McPhillips , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Melissa L Jolly , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Jana L. Harding , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
J. C. MacDonald , University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Terry J. Klopfenstein , University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Abstract Text:

A 64 d metabolism study utilizing 18 crossbreed wethers (BW = 26.1 kg; SD = 4.5) was conducted to determine if the harvest method of corn residue impacts digestibility and quality of the bale produced. Wethers were blocked into 3 blocks based on previous DMI. Five forage based diets were used containing one of the following forages: brome, husk, husklage, ensiled husklage, or stalklage. Husks were obtained from a seed corn plant and then sifted through a 0.91 m by 1.52 m metal screen by hand to remove any remaining corn. The husklage was baled directly behind the combine at the time of grain harvest. Husklage bales contained 27% leaf, 17% husk, 14% upper stem, and 42% cob. Ensiled husklage was produced by adding water to the husklage to obtain a DM content of 35% and bagging for minimum of 30 d. Stalklage was harvested and had a composition similar to baled stalks, containing the stem, leaf, cob, and husk.  Diets were 70:30 forage: wet corn gluten feed (DM basis). Four periods of 16 d contained 9 d for adaption and 7 d for total fecal collection. In the fourth period, wet corn gluten feed was fed to determine forage digestibility by difference. Husk had the greatest DM digestibility (DMD; 68.11%), OM digestibility (OMD; 70.49%), and NDF digestibility (NDFD; 75.28%; P < 0.01). There was no differences in DMD (P = 0.26), and OMD (P = 0.31) of husklage and ensiled husklage, although NDFD tended to be greater for husklage (P = 0.10). Husklage had a DMD, OMD, and NDFD of 54.07%, 56.4%, and 62.4%, respectively. The ensiled husklage resulted in a DMD of 50.9%, an OMD of 53.3% and an NDFD of 57.52%. Stalklage had a DMD, OMD, and NDFD of 49.37%, 57.58%, and 57.94%, respectively. There was no difference between the husklage and stalklage in OMD (P = 0.68), however the NDFD (P = 0.11) and DMD (P = 0.09) tended to be greater for the husklage.  The brome had the lowest DMD at 45.11%, OMD at 47.77%, and NDFD 46.92% (P < 0.01). The husklage, ensiled husklage and the stalklage were intermediate to the husk and brome. Forage quality of the residue may be improved by changing the harvest method compared to conventional harvesting.

Keywords: Corn residue, digestibility, harvest method

See more of: Ruminant Nutrition - Byproduct feeds
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