Authors : A. Balakhial , A.A. Naserian , A. Heravi Moussavi , F. Eftekhar Shahrodi and R. Vali Zadeh
Abstract: In order to determine the effects of different levels of urea and molasses on chemical composition and in vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) of canola silage one experiment in a 3�3 factorial arrangement in a complete-randomized design with three replications was conducted. Experimental treatments of this study were 0, 0.5 and 1% of Urea and 0, 4 and 8% of Molasses (On DM basis of canola forage). In vitro Dry-Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) of canola silages determined by 2 stages tilly and terry method. In this part of study rumen fluid was provided from 2 growing Holstein steers with average 280�3 kg BW. The results of chemical analyses of silages showed that urea significantly increased DM, CP, pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration of canola silage (p<0.05). Increasing of molasses additive levels caused to enhance silage DM content. But ADF and NDF content of canola silage decreased by it. Results of this study indicated that DM digestibility of canola silages was not affected by urea. But molasses decreased DM digestibility of canola silages. In conclusion, the addition of 0.5% urea plus 8% molasses improved DM, CP, NDF and ADF content of canola silages better than other additive levels of urea and molasses. Addition of urea higher than 0.5% decreased canola quality by increasing silage pH and NH3-N concentration.
A. Balakhial , A.A. Naserian , A. Heravi Moussavi , F. Eftekhar Shahrodi and R. Vali Zadeh , 2008. Changes in Chemical Composition and In vitro DM Digestibility of Urea and Molasses Treated Whole Crop Canola Silage. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 1042-1044.