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Silage analyses

Problem

When putting in a farmer's silage from an analysis, I'm not sure where some values should go.  E.g. our analyses give DM, D-value, ME, CP, pH, ammonia-N, Sugars and ASH, plus FME, NDF, ADF, OIL, ERDP, DUP, 'a', 'b' & 'c' and ADIN. Where should I use the values for pH, ammonia-N and a,b,&c (values for these for example are 64.7%, 24.1% & 0.12/hr) if applicable?

Response

A farmer’s silage analysis contains two types of information. One set shows the nutritional analysis the other set indicates how well it was made, how well it will be preserved in the clamp and feed out, and how palatable it is likly to be. pH and ammonia values are used for the second purpose.

12 March, 2006
DM RUMNUT takes this as % value
D-value Multiple by 10 and this is the D Value (very closely correlated to ME) (second entry in column 1)
ME Third entry in column 1
FME Usually given - if not enter U and RUMNUT will estimate
Point dg Only used in RDP/UDP system - enter 0.8 for silages
GE Leave at a value around 19
CP Seventh entry in column 1
pH Indicates how stable the silage is. ammonia-N How well the silage was made.
Sugars Enter in column 1, residual sugars indicate restricted fermentation
ASH TA - Ash - column 1 - values over 10 indicate soil contamination
NDF Column 1 - units are g/kg DM - range 0-1000 usually in range 350 - 700.
epNDF See appendix in manual for ep values - enter 0.6 - 0.8 for silages depending on chop length.
ADF Rarely given - used more in USA
OIL Again rarely given - same as EE - Fat
ERDP This should not be given in an MP/FiM silage analysis as assume the DUP animal performance level - I guess that about 30-40 litres is often used
DUP This should not be given in an MP/FiM silage analysis as assume the DUP animal performance level - I guess that about 30-40 litres is often used
'a' Column 3, usually refers to N or protein degradation. a and b should be entered as proportions in range 0-1
'b' Column 3, usually refers to N or protein degradation. a and b should be entered as proportions in range 0-1
'c' Rate of degradation - range 0-1.
ADIN ADIN Rarely given

When entering a new silage analysis use the Copy function in Feedman to copy a similar standard analysis to a new, blank location (Note you specify the new, blank location first). Where values are not given use the standard figures.

Once you have entered the analysis and press OK RUMNUT will do extensive error checking and will estimate FME, TDN, French figures and USA figures if needed.

If none of these ways work you may need to contact me further assistance by email.

12 March, 2006