Short-Term Relocation of Whole-Plant Corn Silage Does Not Alter Performance and Digestibility in Lambs

Abstract

The current study evaluated the relocation effect on whole-plant corn silage (WPCS), inoculated or not, on fermentation profile, aerobic stability (AS), nutrient digestibility, and lamb's performance. Corn was ensiled in 40 experimental silos (210 L) using a completely randomised design. Silos were stored for 90 day and the treatments were: silage without inoculants (WI) and without relocation (SISR), WI silage and relocation (SIR), silage inoculated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri and relocation (LBR), and silage inoculated with L. buchneri + Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and relocation (LBLPR). Silages were exposed to air for 24 h, repacked and stored another 90 day. Twenty-four Santa Inês lambs (17.4 ± 2.0 kg) were used for digestibility and 36 (20.9 ± 2.0 kg) for performance assays. The SISR group had higher filamentous fungi, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts. SIR had lower filamentous fungi and LAB counts and lactic acid (LA) concentrations than LBR and LBLPR. LBLPR had a higher LAB count and LA concentration than LBR. The AS and time, in h, for the maximum temperature (TM) of the silages and diets were lower in the SISR. SIR had a lower AS than LBR and LBLPR, whereas LBR had a lower AS than LBLPR. Except for non-fibrous carbohydrates, nutrient intake was higher for SIR than SISR diets. The treatments didn't affect digestibility, nitrogen balance, or performance. The performance of lambs fed relocated WPCS was not affected when the silage was exposed for 24 h during relocation, independent of microbial inoculation.