The effect of various additives to vetch forage silage on in vitro digestibility values and feed quality

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding pomace (peach, apricot) and molasses in different proportions to vetch feed on the digestibility values and relative feed quality of the silage. The forage was wilted before being chopped into pieces approximately 2–3 cm in length. Fruit and molasses were added to the silage. Treatment groups included: 0 + vetch (control), 2% peach + vetch, and 4% peach + vetch, 2% apricot + vetch, 4% apricot + vetch, and 2% molasses + vetch, and 4% molasses + vetch. A total of 42 samples of silage (7 × 6 in parallel) were prepared. The silages were kept in vacuum bags for 60 days (at 25 °C). The data were subjected to variance analysis. When reducing the additives, the content of ether extract, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent lignin decreased, but Fleig score increased. The highest values of in vitro gas production, CH4, organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, and net energy for lactation in the silage were obtained with a 2% apricot additive. The addition of 4% molasses to the feed increased the relative feed and relative forage quality values. The addition of fruit and molasses to vetch silage can improve feed quality.