Studies on Improvement of Fermentation and Stable Storage Method in Round-Baled Silage

摘要

The production of round-baled silage (RBS) is a technology that involves packing the forage without fine chopping and keeping the airtight condition by enclosing it with a thin wrapping film. Since the RBS system can achieve labor saving in harvesting of roughage, it is indispensable for a domestic livestock industry. On the other hand, the necessity of producing finely chopped silage of a steady quality has risen as the total mixed ration (TMR) feeding method spreads. It is expected that positive utilization of RBS as a roughage source for TMR will contribute to an increase in feed self-sufficiency in Japan. However, in addition to the lack of fine chopping in the RBS process, because the silage quality is unstable as a result of its low density and because the wrapping films are easily broken, RBS is not suitable as TMR material in comparison with the fine-chopped silage made and stored in airtight silos.rnIn recent years, a fine-chopping treatment has been introduced to the RBS system by the development of the RBS shredder and the round baler for chopped material. Therefore, to improve the availability, fermentative quality and stable storage of RBS, the following studies were conducted: (1) Examination of the effects of chopping and high-density treatment on the conventional RBS system by re-ensiling; (2) Evaluation of silage quality of the chopped RBS ensiled by the round baler for chopped material; (3) Exploration of preventive measures to lessen rat damage to wrapping film during storage of RBS.