Veterinary Research

Year: 2012
Volume: 5
Issue: 1
Page No. 4 - 7

The Usage Possibility of Apple Pomace Silage Prepared with Poultry Manure Addition in the Nutrition of Beef Cattle

Authors : Ahmet Uzatici

Abstract: This research was conducted to determine if there is a possibility of Poultry Manure (PM) ensiling with Apple Pomace (AP) and the possibility of the usage of produced silage as a nutritional stuff in the feeding of beef cattle. As a first step, PM, the weight of it was reference unit was blended with the AP at a ratio of 25 and 50%, ensilaged and the quality of the silage was examined. By the 60th day of the ensilaging process, pH values were 3.97 and 4.05 in the samples collected from 25 and 50% PM containing silage materials, respectively. The analyses of the same samples for the lactic, acetic and butyric acid ratios revealed as in 25% PM containing silage 1.727, 1.052 and 0.294% and in 50% containing silage 0.852, 0.693 and 0.877%, respectively. The second stage of the experiment was designed as 111 days of feeding trial and conducted with 8-10 months old Brown-Swiss male cattle with an average live weight of 333 kg and they were allocated into 3 groups, each of which composed of 8 animals. One of the groups was kept as a control. Silages containing 25 and 50% PM was provided as roughage to the remaining group, group I and II and they were used as trial groups. The control group was fed with a ration consisted of pelleted concentrate and wheat straw only. Lack of nutrients in the silages provided to the trial groups was completed with the similar concentrate and wheat straw given to the control group. At the end of the trial, the average live weight of the bulls in the control group, groups I and II were 452,456 and 461 kg and their daily weight gains were 1063,1108 and 1153 g, respectively. A statically significant difference with respect to daily weight gain was not observed among the groups. Throughout the experiment, the amount of dry matter for 1 kg weight gain in order of groups was 6.92, 6.74 and 6.27 kg and the cost of weight gain was 6578, 4775 and 4096 Turkish Liras, respectively. The examinations of rumen fluid for ammonium and urea nitrogen at the end of the feeding trial showed that the values were 10.6, 13.4 and 15.1 mg/100 mL and 12.3, 13.6 and 24.0 mg/100 mL in the groups, respectively and differences of these results were statistically significant (p<0.01). However, since the above values are below the toxic levels and toxic effects of these substances were not observed in the animals. Ammonia and urea nitrogen were also analyzed in the blood. At the end of the experiment while the blood ammonia values were 0.30, 0.34 and 0.52 mg/100 mL, respectively the respective urea nitrogen values were 5.75-9.30 mg/100 mL. The values for both parameters were higher in the animals of experimental groups compare to those of control group (p<0.01). Above results showed that preparation of silage by the addition of 25 and 50% PM to the AP is possible and the produced silages were consumed by the beef cattle without any negative effects on the weight gain and feed consumption and also provides an economic food supply.

How to cite this article:

Ahmet Uzatici , 2012. The Usage Possibility of Apple Pomace Silage Prepared with Poultry Manure Addition in the Nutrition of Beef Cattle. Veterinary Research, 5: 4-7.

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