Eurowilt: a comparison of the 2 best ensiling methods: pre-wilting, or direct ensiling of dried, short lengths after addition of formic acid
Deswysen, A.
Elevages Belges 4: 13-16
1984
Accession: 001360724
The results of 32 European trials presented and discussed at a meeting in Braunschweig-Volkenrode in November 1983 are summarized here, with comments. Comparison was of direct ensiling with formic acid or prewilting for 1 to 3 days of finely chopped grass or grass and clover. In animal trials silage was supplied freely and concentrate was kept to a minimum or given according to milk yield. Optimal prewilting, done preferably in 24 h and with favourable weather, using short lengths, would yield about 35 to 40% DM or more. Subsequent ensiling loss of DM was far less than for the directly ensiled material. Mean chemical composition and fermentation characteristics differed little between the 2 types.