The Possibilities of Using Sugar Beet Pulp Silage Produced by Different Methods in Lamb and Dairy Cow Rations - 1 - Obtaining High Quality Sugar Beet Pulp Silage

Abstract

In this study, how to obtain high quality sugar beet pulp silage was investigated. Sugar beet pulp was mixed with wheat straw or grass hay in order to increase the level of dry matter to 20, 25 and 30%, and 5% molasses and different levels of urea were added (0, 1, 1.5 and 2% for wheat straw containing groups; 0, 0.5 and 1% for grass hay containing groups). The mixed materials were stored in containers of one kg for two months. At the end of the incubation period, the containers were opened and the silages were evaluated by measuring the fermentation characteristics. The crude protein content of the silages increased due to the added urea level. The pH and the amounts of lactic, acetic and butyric acids were found to be between 3.72 and 4.40, 31.17 and 71.51 g dry matter kg(-1), 12.61 and 35.35 g dry matter kg(-1). and 0.06 and 2.56 g dry matter kg(-1). respectively (P<0.05). Finally, it is possible to obtain high quality sugar beet pulp silage by increasing its dry matter content (20-30%) with wheat straw or grass hay and adding sugar beet molasses (5%). Urea supplementation also increases the nitrogen content of silage.