Table of contents

Foreword 7

Keynote presentations
An overview of silage production and utilisation in Ireland (1950-2005) C.S. Mayne and P. OKiely Grass silage: factors affecting efficiency of N utilisation in milk production P. Huhtanen and K.J. Shingfield Recent developments in feeding beef cattle on grass silage-based diets M. McGee Ensiled maize and whole crop wheat forages for beef and dairy cattle: effects on animal performance T.W.J. Keady Update on technologies for producing and feeding silage P.D. Forristal and P. OKiely Silage production from tropical forages L.G. Nussio Recent developments in methods to characterise the chemical and biological parameters of grass silage R.S. Park, R.E. Agnew and M.G. Porter Advances in silage quality in the 21st Century D.R. Davies, M.K. Theodorou, A.H. Kingston-Smith and R.J. Merry

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Section 1: A. Effect of conserved feeds on milk production

The effect of grass silage chop length on dairy cow performance .T. Randby Whole crop silage from barley fed in combination with red clover silage to dairy cows J. Bertilsson and M. Knicky Responses to grass or red clover silages cut at two stages of growth in dairy cows A. Vanhatalo, K. Kuoppala, S. Ahvenjrvi and M. Rinne The effect of chop length and additive on silage intake and milk production in cows V. Toivonen and T. Heikkil Effect of supplementing grass silage with incremental levels of water soluble carbohydrate on in vitro rumen microbial growth and N use efficiency D.R. Davies, D.K. Leemans and R.J. Merry Effects of access time to feed and sodium bicarbonate in cows given different silages T. Heikkil and V. Toivonen Dairy cow performance associated with two contrasting silage feeding systems C.P. Ferris, D.C. Patterson, R.C. Binnie and J.P. Frost Pea-barley bi-crop silage in milk production M. Tuori, P. Pursiainen, A.-R. Leinonen and V. Karp Conjugated linoleic acid content of milk from cows fed different diets E. Staszak and J. Mikoajczak Feeding with badly preserved silages and occurrence of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows F. Vicente, B. de la Roza, A. Argamentera, M.L. Rodrguez and M. Pelez Modelling contamination of raw milk with butyric acid bacteria spores M.M.M. Vissers, F. Driehuis, P. de Jong, M.C. te Giffel and J.M.G. Lankveld Use of a dairy whole farm nutrient balance education tool to teach the importance of forages in the context of nutrient management concepts at the whole-farm level J.H. Harrison and T.D. Nennich Feeding mixed grass-clover silages with elevated sugar contents to dairy cows J. Bertilsson

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Section 1: B. Effect of conserved feeds on meat production

An evaluation of grain processing and storage method, and feed level on the performance and meat quality of beef cattle offered two contrasting grass silages T.W.J. Keady, F.O. Lively and D.J. Kilpatrick Nutritive value for finishing beef steers of wheat grain conserved by different techniques P. Stacey, P. OKiely, A.P. Moloney and F.P. OMara Effect of feeding red clover, lucerne and kale silage on the voluntary intake and liveweight gain of growing lambs R. Fychan, C.L. Marley, M.D. Fraser and R. Jones The effects of alfalfa silage harvesting systems on dry matter intake of Friesland dairy ewes in late pregnancy H.F. Elizalde Replacement of maize/soybean meal concentrate by high moisture maize grain plus wholeseed soybean silage for cattle C.C. Jobim, A.F. Branco, V.F. Gai and U. Cecato Effect of additive treatment on meat quality V. Vrotniakiene and J. Jatkauskas Blood meal as a source of histidine for cattle fed grass silage and barley R. Berthiaume and C. Lafrenire An evaluation of the inclusion of alternative forages with grass silage-based diets on carcass composition and meat quality of beef cattle offered two contrasting grass silages T.W.J. Keady, F.O. Lively, D.J. Kilpatrick and B.W. Moss

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Section 2: Alternative forages

Effects of feeding legume silage with differing tannin levels on lactating dairy cattle U.C. Hymes Fecht, G.A. Broderick and R.E. Muck NDF digestion in dairy cows fed grass or red clover silages cut at two stages of growth K. Kuoppala, S. Ahvenjrvi, M. Rinne and A. Vanhatalo The effects of maize and whole crop wheat silages and quality of grass silage on the performance of lactating dairy cows D.C. Patterson and D.J. Kilpatrick The feeding value of conserved whole-crop wheat and forage maize relative to grass silage and ad-libitum concentrates for beef cattle K. Walsh, P. OKiely and F. OMara Sustained aerobic stability of by-products silage stored as a total mixed ration N. Nishino, H. Hattori and H. Wada Evaluation of narrow-row forage maize in field-scale studies W.J. Cox, J.H. Cherney and D.J.R. Cherney Ensiling safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) as an alternative winter forage crop in Israel Z.G. Weinberg, S.Y. Landau, A. Bar-Tal, Y. Chen, M. Gamburg, S. Brener and L. Devash Effect of variety and species on the chemical composition of Lotus when ensiled C.L. Marley, R. Fychan and R. Jones Effect of additives at harvest on the digestibility in lambs of whole crop barley or wheat silage S. Muhonen, I. Olsson and P. Lingvall Effects of varying dietary ratios of lucerne to maize silage on production and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows G.A. Broderick and A.F. Brito Effects of two different chopping lengths of maize silage on silage quality and dairy performance K. Mahlkow and J. Thaysen Use of silage additives in ensiling of whole-crop barley and wheat - A comparison of round big bales and precision chopped silages M. Knick and P. Lingvall Cob development in forage maize: influence of harvest date, cultivar and plastic mulch E.M. Little, P. OKiely, J.C. Crowley and G.P. Keane Yield and composition of forage maize: interaction of harvest date, cultivar and plastic mulch E.M. Little, P. OKiely, J.C. Crowley and G.P. Keane

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Silage production and utilisation

Parameters of ensiled maize with biological and chemical additives J. Grajewsk, A. Potkaski, K. Raczkowska-Werwiska, M. Twaruek and B. Miklaszewska Ensiling of tannin-containing sorghum grain E.M. Ott, Y. Acosta Aragn and M. Gabel Fermentation characteristics of maize/sesbania bi-crop silage M. Kondo, J. Yanagisawa, K. Kita and H. Yokota The influence of crop maturity and type of baler on whole crop barley silage production P. Lingvall, M. Knicky, B. Frank, B. Rustas and J. Wallsten Effect of stage of maturity on the nutrient content of alfalfa Y. Tyrolova and A. Vyborna Field beans and spring wheat as whole crop silage: yield, chemical composition and fermentation characteristics L. Ericson, K. Arvidsson and K. Martinsson Utilisation of whole-crop pea silages differing in condensed tannin content as a replacement for soya bean meal in the diet of dairy cows K.J. Hart, R.G. Wilkinson, L.A. Sinclair and J.A. Huntington Ensiled high moisture barley or dry barley in the grass silage-based diet of dairy cows S. Jaakkola, E. Saarisalo and R. Kangasniemi Effects of species, maturity and additive on the feed quality of whole crop cereal silage E. Nadeau Comparison of different maize hybrids cultivated and fermented with or without sorghum Sz. Orosz, Z. Bellus, Zs. Kelemen, E. Zernyi and J. Helembai Utilisation of coffee grounds for total mixed ration silage C. Xu, Y. Cai, N. Hino, N. Yoshida and M. Ogawa Forage preferences of horses C.E. Mller

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Section 3: Developments in ensiling techniques

The effect of silage harvester type on harvesting efficiency J.P. Frost and R.C. Binnie Harvesting silage with two types of silage trailer (feed rotor with knives and precision chop) H. Arvidsson and P. Lingvall The effects of a new plastic film on the microbial and fermentation quality of Italian ryegrass bale silages G. Borreani and E. Tabacco

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Section 3: Developments in ensiling techniques A. Silage fermentation

Influence of different alfalfa-grass mixtures and the use of additives on nutritive value and fermentation of silage P. Ltteme and U. Tamm The effect of neutralising formic acid on fermentation of fresh and wilted grass silage E. Saarisalo and S. Jaakkola Effects of inoculation of LAB on fermentation pattern and clostridia spores in easily ensilable grass silages J. Thaysen, G. Pahlow and E. Mathies Effect of biological additives in red clover timothy conservation A. Olt, H. Kaldme, E. Songisepp and O. Krt Application of a new inoculant Chikuso-1 for silage preparation of forage paddy rice Y. Cai, C. Xu, S. Ennahar, N. Hino, N. Yoshida and M. Ogawa Synergism of chemical and microbial additives on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) silage fermentation T.F. Bernardes, G.R. Siqueira, R.P. Schocken-Iturrino, A.P.T.P. Roth and R.A. Reis The influence of the application of a biological additive on the fermentation process of red clover silage . Rajkov, R. Mlynr and M. Gallo Inoculant effects on ensiling and in vitro gas production in lucerne silage R.E. Muck, I. Filya and F.E. Contreras-Govea

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Effects of stage of growth and inoculation on fermentation quality of field pea silage G. Borreani, L. Cavallarin, S. Antoniazzi and E. Tabacco A novel bacterial silage additive effective against clostridial fermentation E. Mayrhuber, M. Holzer, W. Kramer and E. Mathies In vitro gas production and bacterial biomass estimation for lucerne silage inoculated with one of three lactic acid bacterial inoculants F.E. Contreras-Govea, R.E. Muck, I. Filya, D.R. Mertens and P.J. Weimer Correlation between epiphytic microflora and microbial pollution and fermentation quality of silage made from grasses B. Osmane and J. Blzmanis Hygienic value and mycotoxins level of grass silage in bales for horses A. Potkaski, J. Grajewski, K. Raczkowska-Werwiska, B. Miklaszewska, A. Gubaa, M. Selwet and M. Szumacher-Strabel Polyphenol oxidase activity and in vitro proteolytic inhibition in grasses J.M. Marita, R.D. Hatfield and G.E. Brink The effect of dry matter content and inoculation with lactic acid bacteria on the residual water soluble carbohydrate content of silages prepared from a high sugar grass cultivar D.R. Davies, D.K. Leemans, E.L. Bakewell and R.J. Merry Using the red clover polyphenol oxidase gene to inhibit proteolytic activity in lucerne R.D. Hatfield, M.L. Sullivan and R.E. Muck New results on inhibition of clostridia development in silages E. Kaiser, K. Wei and I. Polip Ensilability and silage quality of different cocksfoot varieties U. Wyss Ensiling characteristics of sudangrass silage treated with green tea leaf waste or green tea polyphenols M. Kondo, K. Kita and H. Yokota Effects of silage preparation and microbial silage additives on biogas production from whole crop maize silage M. Neureiter, C. Perez Lopez, H. Pichler, R. Kirchmayr and R. Braun A 16S rDNA-based quantitative assay for monitoring Lactobacillus plantarum in silage M. Klocke, K. Mundt, C. Idler, P. O`Kiely, S. Barth A comparison of the efficacy of an ultra-low volume applicator for liquid-applied silage inoculants with that of a conventional applicator G. Marley, G. Pahlow, H.-H. Herrmann and T.R. Owen

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Section 3: Developments in ensiling techniques B. Aerobic stability

Improving the aerobic stability of whole-crop cereal silages I. Filya, E. Sucu and A. Karabulut Aerobic stability and nutritive value of low dry matter maize silage treated with a formic acid-based preservative I. Filya, E. Sucu and A. Karabulut Microbial changes and aerobic stability in high moisture maize silages inoculated with Lactobacillus buchneri R.A. Reis, E.O. Almeida, G.R. Siqueira, T.F. Bernardes, E.R. Janusckiewicz and M.T.P. Roth Effect of residual sugar in high sugar grass silages on aerobic stability G. Pahlow, R.J. Merry, P. OKiely, T. Pauly and J.M. Greef An in vitro study on the influence of residual sugars on aerobic changes in grass silages S.D. Martens, G. Pahlow and J.M. Greef The effects of the growth stage and inoculant on fermentation and aerobic stability of whole-plant grain sorghum silage E. Tabacco and G. Borreani Perennial ryegrasses bred for contrasting sugar contents: manipulating fermentation and aerobic stability using wilting and additives (1) (EU FP V -Project SweetGrass) P. O'Kiely, H. Howard, G. Pahlow, R. Merry, T. Pauly and F.P. O'Mara

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Perennial ryegrasses bred for contrasting sugar contents: manipulating fermentation and aerobic stability of unwilted silage using additives (2) (EU-Project SweetGrass) H. Howard, P. O'Kiely, G. Pahlow and F.P. O'Mara Perennial ryegrasses bred for contrasting sugar contents: manipulating fermentation and aerobic stability of wilted silage using additives (3) (EU-Project SweetGrass) H. Howard, P. O'Kiely, G. Pahlow and F.P. O'Mara The effect of additive containing formic acid on quality and aerobic stability of silages made of endophyte-infected green forage L. Podkwka, J. Mikoajczak, E. Staszak and P. Dorszewski The effect of acetic acid on the aerobic stability of silages and on intake B. Ruser and J. Kleinmans Effectiveness of Lactobacillus buchneri to improve aerobic stability and reducing mycotoxin levels in maize silages under field conditions A. Bach, C. Iglesias, C. Adelantado and M.A. Calvo The effect of Lalsil Dry inoculant on the aerobic stability of lucerne silage J.P. Szucs and Z. Avasi

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Section 3: Developments in ensiling techniques C. Nutritive value

Ensiling characteristics and ruminal degradation of Italian ryegrass with or without wilting and added cell wall degrading enzymes Y. Zhu, H. Jianguo, Z. He, X. Qingfang, B. Chunsheng and N. Nishino Quality and nutritive value of grass-legume ensiled with inoculant Lactisil 300 J. Jatkauskas and V. Vrotniakiene Effect of additives in grass silage on rumen parameters in Rusitec A. Potkaski, A. Cielak, K. Raczkowska-Werwiska, M. Szumacher-Strabel and A. Gubaa The quality and nutritive value of big bale silage harvested from bog meadows H. urek, B. Wrbel and J. Zastawny The aerobic stability and nutritive value of grass silage ensilaged with bacterial additives B. Wrbel and J. Zastawny

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Section 3: Developments in ensiling techniques D. Big bale silage production

Factors affecting bag silo densities and losses R.E. Muck and B.J. Holmes Transport of wrapped silage bales .T. Randby and T. Fyhri Wrapping rectangular bales with plastic to preserve wet hay or make haylage D. Undersander, T. Wood and W. Foster Bacteria and yeast in round bale silage on a sample of farms in County Meath, Ireland J. McEniry, P. OKiely, N.J.W. Clipson, P.D. Forristal and E.M. Doyle Schizophyllum on baled grass silage in Ireland: national farm survey 2004 M. OBrien, P. OKiely, P.D. Forristal and H. Fuller Bagged silage: Mechanical treatment applied by packing rotor improves fermentation M. Sundberg and T. Pauly Carbon dioxide permeation properties of polyethylene films used to wrap baled silage C. Laffin, G.M. McNally, P.D. Forristal, P. OKiely and C.M. Small National survey to establish the extent of visible mould on baled grass silage in Ireland and the identity of the predominant fungal species M. OBrien, P. OKiely, P.D. Forristal and H. Fuller

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Section 4: Ensilage of tropical forages

Effect of ensiling temperature, delayed sealing, and simulated rainfall on the fermentation and aerobic stability of maize silage grown in a sub-tropical climate A.T. Adesogan and S.C. Kim

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Effect of different densities on tropical grass silages T.F. Bernardes, R.C. Amaral, G.R. Siqueira and R.A. Reis Sugarcane silage compared with traditional roughage sources on performance of dairy cows O.C.M. Queiroz, L.G. Nussio, M.C. Santos, J.L. Ribeiro, P. Schmidt, M. Zopollatto, M.C. Junqueira, M.S. Camargo, S.G.T. Filho, L.G. Vieira, M.O. Trivelin, L.J. Mari and D.P. Souza Moisture control, inoculant and particle size in tropical grass silages S.F. Paziani, L.G. Nussio, D.R.S. Loures, L.J. Mari, J.L. Ribeiro, P. Schmidt, M. Zopollatto, M.C. Junqueira and A.F. Pedroso Stability of silage wrapped round bales in Runion Island P. Grimaud, V. Barbet-Massin, P. Thomas and D. Verrier Ensilage of tropical grasses and legumes using a small-scale technique M. Delacollette, S. Adjolohoun, R. Agneesens and A. Buldgen The use of Lactobacillus buchneri inoculation to decrease ethanol and 2,3-butanediol production in whole crop rice silage N. Nishino and H. Hattori Microorganism occurrence in Tanznia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanznia) grass silage exposed to the environment R.M. Coan, R.A. Reis, G.R. Garcia, R.P. Schocken-Iturrino and E.D. Contato Forage variety and maturity on fermentative losses of sugarcane silages added with urea P. Schmidt, L.G. Nussio, C.M.B. Nussio, A.A. Rodrigues, P.M. Santos, J.L. Ribeiro, L.J. Mari, M. Zopollatto, M.C. Santos, O.C.M. Queiroz and D.P. Souza Effect of moisture on the fermentation and the utilisation by cattle of silages made from tropical grasses M. Niimi, O. Kawamura, K. Fukuyama and S. Sei

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Section 5: Chemical and biological characterisation of silages

Estimation of legume silage digestibility with various laboratory methods A. Olt, M. Rinne, J. Nousiainen, M. Tuori, C. Paul, M.D. Fraser and P. Huhtanen Evaluation of prediction equations for metabolisable energy concentration in grass silage used in different energy feeding systems T. Yan and R.E. Agnew The effect of fermentation quality on voluntary intake of grass silage by growing steers S.J. Krizsan and .T. Randby Determination of toxic activity of mould-damaged silage with an in vitro method A. Solyakov and T. Pauly Butyric acid bacteria spores in whole crop maize silage F. Driehuis and M.C. te Giffel Effects of the stage of growth and inoculation on proteolysis in field pea silage L. Cavallarin, G. Borreani, S. Antoniazzi and E. Tabacco Ruminal proteolysis in forages with distinct endopeptidases activities G. Pichard, C. Tapia and R. Larran Effects of particle size in forage samples for protein breakdown studies G. Pichard and C. Tapia A new system for the evaluation of the fermentation quality of silages E. Kaiser and K. Wei Prediction of indigestible NDF content of grass and legume silages by NIRS L. Nyholm, M. Rinne, M. Hellmki, P. Huhtanen and J. Nousiainen Analysis of silage fermentation characteristics using transflectance measurements by near infrared spectroscopy A. Martnez, A. Soldado, R. Garca, D. Snchez and B. de la Roza-Delgado A simple method for the correction of fermentation losses measured in laboratory silos F. Weissbach Development of a method for the fast and complete assessment of quality characteristics in undried grass silages by means of an NIR-diode array spectrometer H. Gibaud, C. Paul, J.M. Greef and B. Ruser

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Prediction of red clover content in mixed swards by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy B. Deprez, D. Stilmant, C. Clment, C. Decamps and A. Peeters Keyword index Author index

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