Effect L. Plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium and L. Lactis microbial mixture added to grass silage on the fermentation characteristics in rumen of dairy cows

Abstract

Trials were conducted at the Lithuanian Institute of Animal Science to determine metabolism changes in the rumen and blood profile of Lithuanian Black-and-White dairy cows fed different fermented silages. First cut 8 to 10 h wilted grass- legume sward (20% Festuca pretense, 30% Trifolium pretense, 50% Lolium perenne) with DM content – 348.3 g kg-1 was made in round bales either untreated (C) or treated with inoculant (a bacterial mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum Milab 393, Pediococcus acidilactici P6 and P11, Eterococcus faecium M74, and Lactococcus lactis SR3.54) at rate 5 105 colony forming units g-1 of fresh herbage (L). Treatment had no effect on chemical composition, digestible value of nutrients. Both ordinary made and inoculated silages were well fermented at opening with pH values 4.58 and 4.17, respectively. Addition of bacterial mixture resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase in lactic acid concentration and markedly decreased the concentration of acetic acid in silage. Treatment had an effect on protein breakdown as measured by ammonia-N concentration, with values of 45.7 and 35.19 g kg-1 N for untreated and inoculated silages respectively. [...].