Sudan Grass Silage at Two Stages of Maturity versus Rye Grass and Crimson Clover with Two Filling Procedures

Abstract

Tift Sudan grass silages, harvested at the preboot and boot stages of maturity, were compared with rye grass and crimson clover silages which had been ensiled by a fast-filling procedure with packing and a slow-filling procedure without packing. Filling a silo slowly increased fermentation losses as measured by chemical changes and a balance study. Cows fed silage from the slowly filled silo consumed less dry matter, produced less milk, and gained less weight. When Tift Sudan grass was harvested at the preboot stage, milk production was higher, yields per acre lower, and seepage losses greater than when it was cut 8 days later in the boot stage. Milk production and weight gains were higher for cows fed rye grass and crimson clover than for those fed Sudan grass silages. Fermentation losses were higher and seepage losses lower for Sudan grass silages.