Twelve ruminally cannulated crossbred
steers were used to determine the effects of
level of surface-spoiled silages on dry matter
(DM) intake and nutrient digestibilities of corn
silage-based rations. Irrigated corn was harvested
at the 80% milkline stage of maturity and
ensiled in 3-ft-deep, pilot-scale, bunker silos
and a 9-ft-diameter AgBag®. After 90 days,
the bunkers were sealed with a single sheet of
polyethylene, and this silage was designated
“spoiled”. The silage in the AgBag was designated
“normal”. The four rations contained 90%
silage and 10% supplement (DM basis). The
silages in the rations were: A) 100% normal; B)
75% normal: 25% spoiled; C) 50% normal:
50% spoiled; and D) 25% normal: 75% spoiled.
Dry matter intake decreased in a linear manner
as the proportion of spoiled silage increased
from 0 to 75%. Steers consuming the normal
silage ration had higher DM, OM, CP, NDF,
and ADF digestibilities than those fed the three
rations that contained spoiled silage. The addition
of spoiled silage also had negative associative
effects on nutrient digestibilities, and the
integrity of the forage mat in the rumen was
destroyed partially by even the lowest level of
surface spoilage.
