Ensiling Properties of Wet Sugarbeet Pulp and the Addition of Dry Feedstuffs

An experiment was conducted to characterize ensiling properties of wet sugarbeet pulp (WBP). A 6 x 4 x 2 facto­ rial arrangement of treatments was used to determine the effects of 1) formulated silage dry matter concentrations (DM) of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50%, 2) inclusion of dry feedstuffs (dry pelleted beet pulp, dry rolled corn, wheat midds, and dry corn gluten feed), and 3) addition of wet sugarbeet tailings (WBT; to make up 25% DM of ensiled product) on ensiling characteristics of WBP. Pre-calculat­ ed amounts of each feedstuff were individually weighed in triplicate, thoroughly mixed, and transferred to sealed buckets to initiate an anaerobic, fermentation environment for 47 d. Nutritive value (crude protein, soluble crude pro­ tein, and in vitro DM disappearance) of ensiled WBP was influenced by the addition of dry feedstuffs. The most desirable fermentation (associated with increased acid pro­ duction) of WBP-based silage occurred with inclusion of dry feedstuffs to achieve 35% DM. The results of our experiment indicate addition of dry feedstuffs can increase the DM and nutrient quality of WBP, while maintaining a quality fermentation environment.