Strategic combinations between particle size and dry matter content in corn silage aiming KPS isonomy in the performance of beef cattle

Abstract

Whole plant corn silage is a food composed of a vegetative fraction rich in fiber and fraction of grains in starch. The physical form of the fiber has a great impact on the rumen environment and consequently on the performance of lactating cows. The general objective of this project will be to evaluate the effect of the grain processor on corn hybrid with vitreous endosperm, fragmented with decreasing theoretical cut size proportional to the advancement of physiological maturity to be effective in providing a KPS index greater than 60% in the different treatments and the reflexes of the proposed strategies on the performance of finishing steers, starch digestibility and silage quality and DM yield per hectare. Three treatments will be designed to advance the physiological maturity of the vitreous endosperm hybrid BM 709, I. 30% DM with 18mm TTC; II. 35% DM with 12 mm TTC and III. 40% DM with 6 mm TTC. Stocked in commercial silo surface of 40 ton of green mass. The storage period will be 45 days, the silages will be a source of forage (25% of the DM of the diet) to feed finishing beef cattle. Sixty Nellore bulls (± 439 kg and 24 months old) will be housed in individual stalls for an average of 80 days. The silages will be evaluated for chemical composition, fermentation products, losses of DM, counts of microorganisms (lactic bacteria, yeasts and fungi), aerobic stability, temperature and pH, the processing on the grain will be evaluated by KPS (Kernel Processing Score) , geometric size and surface area of grains, particle distribution. Animal assessments will include dry matter consumption (CMS), average daily gain (GMD), feed efficiency (EA), digestibility, ingestive behavior and carcass characteristics. (AU)