Also, the developer of this processor recommends that the SPFH be set for a longer theoretical length of cut (TLOC; 26 to 30 mm) than has typically been used in the past (19 mm TLOC).
This silage has been called corn shredlage by the developer of the new processor (Shredlage LLC). Thus far, this processor has just been adapted for Claas SPFH, although shredder roll kits have been made available for the other makes of SPFH.
During the 2014 harvest, approximately 600 shredlage processors and shredder roll kits were in operation, according to the developer of the shredlage processor.
We recently completed a second controlled feeding experiment with corn shredlage at the University of Wisconsin – Madison dairy farm in Arlington, Wisconsin.
Key findings from the first feeding trial
For a detailed summary of our first feeding trial, refer to the 2012 Focus on Forage article 14:2 (Corn shredlage for dairy cows). In that study, we used a conventional corn silage hybrid harvested as either corn shredlage (30-mm TLOC) or conventional-processed (19-mm TLOC) corn silage. Key findings were as follows:
- The percentage on the top screen of the Penn State shaker box was greater for corn shredlage (32 percent versus 6 percent as-fed particles retained on the top screen of the shaker box) and for the TMR which contained corn shredlage (16 percent versus 4 percent as-fed particles retained on the top screen of the shaker box); we observed no sorting of either TMR when fed.
- Fat- and energy-corrected milk tended to be 2.3 pounds per day per cow greater on average across the treatment period for cows fed the corn shredlage treatment, while feed efficiency and milk composition were unaffected by treatment.
- Corn silage processing score or the percentage of starch passing through a 4.75-mm sieve was greater for corn shredlage (75 percent versus 60 percent) and total tract starch and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility were greater for cows fed the corn shredlage treatment.
Experimental methods for second trial
We evaluated the response to corn shredlage in a BMR corn silage hybrid and whether the greater TLOC setting on the SPFH for the harvest of corn shredlage increased the physically effective fiber (peNDF) content of the silage.
A Mycogen BMR corn silage hybrid (F2F627) was harvested in September 2013 with a Claas 940 SPFH equipped with either a Claas conventional processor or a Shredlage processor on the same day at one-half kernel milkline stage of maturity.
The conventional processor was set for a 2-mm roll gap and 40 percent roll speed differential with the SPFH set for a 19-mm TLOC for harvest of the conventional-processed corn silage (KP).
Harvest of the corn shredlage (SHRD) was done with the Shredlage processor set at a 2-mm roll gap and 32 percent roll speed differential with the SPFH set for a 26-mm TLOC.
The KP and SHRD were stored in separate silo bags until the bags were opened to begin the feeding trial in January 2014. Mid-lactation Holstein cows were used in a 16-week continuous-lactation experiment in our university dairy herd with 15 replicated pens of eight cows each.
The respective treatment TMR contained 45 percent (DM basis) from either SHRD or KP. Both TMR treatments contained 10 percent alfalfa silage and 45 percent (DM basis) of the same concentrate mix comprised of dry ground shelled corn, corn gluten feed, solvent and expeller soybean meal, rumen-inert fat, minerals, vitamins and monensin.
Additionally, a third treatment TMR (KPH) was included in the experiment to focus on the peNDF question. This ration was formulated with 35 percent KP, 10 percent alfalfa silage, 10 percent chopped hay and 45 percent (DM basis) of the same concentrate ingredients adjusted in proportions in the mix to balance dietary crude protein and starch concentrations across the three treatments.
Processing score and particle size results
As a side note, the SHRD and KP were similar in average dry matter (DM; 39 percent) content and pH (3.9). Corn silage processing scores on feedout samples averaged 72 percent for SHRD and 68 percent for KP, with less variation observed for SHRD over the duration of the experiment.
The sample range (difference between maximum and minimum samples) was 10 percent-units for SHRD and 21 percent-units for KP. For SHRD, all processing scores were above 65 percent.
However, for KP, 43 percent of the samples obtained on a weekly basis throughout the feeding trial were at or below a processing score of 65 percent. (Refer to Figure 1).
The proportion of coarse stover particles was greater for SHRD than KP for samples collected during feedout from the silo bags throughout the feeding trial (18 percent versus 7 percent as-fed particles retained on the top screen of the shaker box).
For the TMR fed throughout the trial, the proportion of as-fed particles on the top screen of the shaker box was greater for SHRD than KP or KPH.
Our measurements of weigh-backs during the trial indicated minimal sorting and no differences in sorting among the three treatments.
Performance difference?
Was there a difference in the performance of the cows? Averaged over the treatment period, milk yield was 2.5 pounds per day per cow greater for SHRD than KP, with the SHRD cows averaging 113 pounds per day; feed efficiency was similar for the two treatments.
Milk yield was 5.9 pounds per day per cow lower and feed efficiency was reduced for KPH compared to KP. Milk yield by week on treatment is summarized in Figure 2.
Milk fat content was greater for KPH (3.7 percent) than KP or SHRD (3.3 percent). Rumination activity measured using the SCR rumination collars averaged 8.4 hours per day and was not different among the treatments.
Using milk fat content and rumination activity data to assess peNDF suggests that the peNDF content of SHRD was not improved despite its longer TLOC and increased percentage of as-fed particles on the top screen of the shaker box compared to KP.
Milk fat yield was not statistically different among the treatments but was numerically greatest for KPH and lowest for KP. Similar to the milk yield differences, milk protein and lactose yields were greatest for SHRD and lowest for KPH.
Body condition score (3.1 on average) and bodyweight change (1.2 pounds per day per cow on average) were similar among the three treatments. (Fecal samples are being analyzed for determination of total tract dietary starch and NDF digestibility of the three treatments.)
Conclusions
In summary, the lactation performance response to corn shredlage using a BMR corn hybrid was of similar magnitude to the response observed in our earlier trial with a conventional corn hybrid.
Despite a longer TLOC setting on the SPFH and increased particle size for corn shredlage relative to conventional-processed corn silage, milk fat content and rumination activity were not increased.
Evaluate particle size and processing score of corn shredlage to determine the best ration formulation strategies. FG
Gustavo Salvati and Randy Shaver are with the Department of Dairy Science at University of Wisconsin – Madison. Lauryn Vanderwerff is now with Vita Plus.
—Excerpts from University of Wisconsin’s Focus on Forage enewsletter, Vol. 16, No. 4.
Luiz Ferraretto
Department of Dairy Science
University of Wisconsin – Madison
