Rit Búvísindadeildar - 15.10.1996, Page 53

Flail-treated vs. long grass, conserved as
big bale silage and fed to sheep
i
i
i
SUMMARY
In two experiments in 1992-1994, conservation offlail-treated vs. long grass was
compared as forage for ewes. The grass was from lst cut, mostly Poa pretensis
(40-60%), wilted in one day and baied at 46-55% DM. The flail-bigbaler was an
ORKEL GP 1202. The long grass was baled with conventional fix-and flex-
chamber balers (KRONE 125, MF 822 and WELGER RP 200). The bales were
wrapped with 6-layers of stretch-film and stored outdoors. After 5 and 9 months
storage the silages were fed to groups ofewes (32-36 ewes per treatment). There
were two experimental feeding periods each year: Novembcr-December (26-30
days) andApril-May (25-41 days). During other parts ofthe indoor feeding period
both groups were fed the same feed. The rnain results ofthe experiments were:
• The DM-density ofthe bales made offlail-treated material was 11% lower than of
balesfrom the comparable fix-chamber balers (KRONE and WELGER);
• The difference infeeding value (digestibility and crude protein) qfter conservation
and storage was insignificant as well as the changes in the weight ofthe bales. The
pH was somewhat lower in the flail-treated material than in the long grass;
• There was no significant difference between the two baling methods with respect
to moulding in the bales. The visible mould in the bales increased with the storage
úme;
• In one ofthefour experimental feeding periods a significant difference in DM-
intake was confirmed (p<0.05), in favourofthe long grass;
• There were no significant differences between the two experimental groups with
respect to live-weight changes ofthe ewes, their body condition scores, fertility, or
the birth weight of the lambs.
46