INFLUENCE OF METHODS OF CONSERVATION ON FEEDING VALUE OF HIGH MOISTURE BARLEY FED TO DAIRY STEERS

Abstract

Thirty-two Holstein steers averaging 369 kg were used to evaluate the feeding value of high moisture barley (HMB). The HMB was harvested at 74.8–77.8% dry matter and ensiled whole in a concrete silo, or was treated with paraformaldehyde or organic acid mixture (propionic 80%, acetic 15% and benzoic acids 5%), and stored on a barn floor. Dry barley (DB) was harvested from the same field at a moisture level of 13.4%. Steers were fed barley ad libitum plus grass silage at the rate of 1.0% of body weight. At feeding, the dry matter content of the DB and HMB was higher than at harvesting. Total nitrogen was higher (P < 0.05) in ensiled HMB and paraformaldehyde-treated HMB compared to DB and organic-acid-mixture-treated HMB. Soluble nitrogen was reduced (P < 0.05) by the paraformaldehyde treatment. Cellulose was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by any treatments. Daily gain, dry matter intake, feed efficiency, rib eye area, fat over 12th rib, 12th rib fat, bone and muscle were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the different treatments. Carcass yields were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for steers fed DB and ensiled HMB compared to those fed paraformaldehyde- and organic-acid-treated HMB.