EVALUATION DE L’ENSILAGE D’HERBE ENTREPOSE DANS DES SILOS-MEULES ET TRAITE AVEC UN MELANGE FORMALDEHYDE-ACIDE SULFURIQUE (SYLADE)

Chemical analysis, in vivo digestibility and sheep performance were used to determine the nutritive value of unpacked or packed, Sylade-treated or untreated grass silages. Materials were ensiled in stack silos. The pH was lower in packed grass silage than in unpacked silage. Sylade treatment of the packed silage reduced protein degradation and increased digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, nitrogen and energy retained as a percent of a total energy intake. However, the energy intake and nitrogen balance were not affected by treatments. Growth and feed efficiency were not improved in Sylade-treated silage. Animal performances were similar under all treatments. Feed intake was slightly increased for the lambs fed unpacked silage.