Research Progress Report 99
February. 1964
Two Types of Haylage with Two Levels of Corn and Two Levels of Supplement for Beef Calves 1
T. W. Perry, W. M. Beeson and M. T. Mohler, Animal Sciences Department
Summary
Harvestore haylage and conventional silo haylage had an apparent similar value in keeping with results reported in previous trials. However, in this year's research cattle ate more haylage from conventional silo than from Harvestore, but gained only slightly more, thus resulting in less efficient gains and higher feed costs per pound of gain, for the conventional silo haylage (Table 5).
Cattle fed a full feed of corn gained 18 percent more rapidly than those fed only a two-thirds feed of corn (Table 6). This confirms research reported last year in which cattle fed a full feed of corn gained much more rapidly than those fed one-half feed of corn. Apparently, haylage has little or no corn replacement value. This is just a real good method of storing a roughage. Table 3 on digestibility of the haylages shows that only a little more than one-half of the total energy is available to the beef animal.
Cattle fed no supplement protein gained just as rapidly and efficiently--and more economically--than those fed 1 pound of Supplement A (Table 6). Apparently, a combination of corn and haylage supplies adequate protein. This is borne out by the digestion trial data in Table 3, which indicates a level
of from 8.4 to 9.8 percent digestible protein in haylage. The National Research Council's outline of requirements for beef cattle indicates a level of approximately 8.0 percent digestible protein is adequate for cattle of this size. So apparently a ration of haylage (8.4 to 9.8% digestible protein) and shelled corn (7.0% digestible protein) would supply at least minimum protein requirements.
Introduction
Two years of research have compared gas-tight storage (Harvestore) and the conventional silo as means of storing the meadow crop (principally legume) at a moisture content of approximately 45 to 50 percent. In general, the feeding results with steer calves and yearlings have shown that the two methods of storage result in a highly platable and nutritious type roughage. Neither storage method proved to be superior, in terms of nutritional value of the product that had been stored. In fact, the previous research has shown the following, relative to the two methods of storage:
1.	Harvestore haylage and conventional silo haylage have a comparable feeding value;
2.	Haylage has little or no corn replacement value. Therefore, it must be considered only as a high quality roughage material;
V The Harvestores used in this research were furnished by the A.O. Smith, Harvestore Products, Inc., Kankakee, Illinois.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • Agricultural Experiment Station • Lafayette, Indiana