Viability of Cryptosporidium parvum during ensilage of perennial ryegrass

The survival of Cryptosporidium parvum during ensilage of perennial ryegrass was examined in laboratory silos with herbage prepared in one of three different ways; either untreated, inoculated with a strain of Lactobacillus plantarum or by direct acidification with formic acid. The pH values of all silages initially fell below 4.5, but only formic acid‐treated silage remained stable at less than pH 4 after 106 d, with the pH of the untreated and inoculant‐treated silages rising to above 6. The formic acid‐treated silage had a high lactic acid concentration (109 g kg ‐1 dry matter (DM)) and low concentrations of propionic and butyric acids after 106 d. However, the untreated and inoculant‐treated silages showed an inverse relationship, with low lactic acid concentrations and high concentrations of acetic, propionic and butyric acids. These silages also contained ammonia‐N concentrations in excess of 9 g kg ‐1 DM. In terms of the viability of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts very few differences were seen after 14 d of ensilage with ca 50% remaining viable, irrespective of treatment and total numbers had declined from the initial level of 5.9 × 10 4 to 1 x 10 4 g ‐1 fresh matter. Total oocyst numbers remained approximately the same until the end of the ensiling period, with the percentage of viable oocysts declining to 46, 41 and 32% respectively for formic acid, inoculant and untreated silages. The results are discussed in terms of changes occurring during the silage fermentation, in particular the products which may influence the survival of Cryptosporidium and implications for agricultural practice and the health of silage fed livestock.