Abstract
This experiment aimed to clarify the chemical composition, characteristics of silage fermentation and nutritive value of the potato pulp silages which were ensiled with lactic acid bacteria inoculants or without those additives. The potato pulp was ensiled with Lactbacillus plantarum inoculants (treatment LPS) or without additives (treatment PPS) in steel silos (200 L). Despite a high moisture of the potato pulp, its silage showed good fermentative quality with low pH and low concentration of ammonia-N regardless of the use of additives. Crude protein contents of PPS and LPS were 43 and 44g/kg DM, respectively, and ADF contents were about 3 times of those of grains (flaked corn and flaked wheat). TDN contents of PPS and LPS were 76.2 and 77.6%, respectively. The potato pulp silages, both with or without additives, were degradated more rapidly in the rumen than grains. The results showed that ensiled potato pulp silages can be preserved in good condition if the silo is satisfactory sealed preventing exposure to air. Considering the high nutritive value of potato pulp silages, the silages can be utilized as self-supplied feed for dairy cow in Hokkaido.
