Effect of treatment with formaldehyde, formic acid, and formaldehyde#x2014;acid mixtures on the chemical composition and nutritive value of silage

摘要

Ryegrasss-white clover pasture was conserved as silage, as hay made at the same time as silage (early hay), and as hay cut 4 weeks after silage (late hay). The silage was either untreated or treated with formaldehyde alone, formaldehyde + formic acid, or formaldehyde + sulphuric acid. After 4 months' storage the six diets were fed to penned Romney wethers for 6 weeks. Mean daily voluntary intakes of digestible organic matter (DOM) in g/kg W0.75were untreated silage 18.2, formaldehyde silage 25.0, formaldehyde + formic acid silage 29.6, formaldehyde + sulphuric acid silage 26.4, early hay 36.2, and late hay 24.2. The generally low intakes are considered to be due to heavy sheep in fat condition Leing used.