More fiber and more digestible fiber

Leafy Corn and Floury Corn: More Fiber and Digestible Fiber

Features and Benefits

Semental markets the Leafy and Leafy Floury varieties, which were developed in Canada. These varieties are distinguished by:

• A substantial size: More leaves and fibers.
• A better balance: Between starch and fiber.
• Larger kernels: With starch that is easier to digest.
• Beans that are easy to crack.

Test results

Jérémy Bonte compared the results of nearly 300 analyses of green corn with those of a dent corn variety:

• Nutritional values: Similar to those of dent corn.
• Sugar content: Two points higher.
• Starch content: Four to six points lower.
• NDF and dNDF levels: Higher by 1.7 to 3 points for NDF and by 1.5 to 3 points for dNDF.
• DT 6: Superior by one to two points, although this criterion should be interpreted with caution.

Recommendations

Semental recommends planting these hybrids at a density of 75,000 plants per hectare.

Why use inoculants on grass silage?

Roles of inoculants

Silage inoculants play several key roles in the silage-making process:

• Acidification: Stabilization of the silo.
• Silage removal: Resumption of fermentation processes due to exposure to oxygen.

Types of additives

• Acidifiers: Bacteria that convert sugars into lactic acid (e.g., Lactobacillus plantarum).
• Antifungals: Heterofermentative bacteria that produce acetic and propionic acids and possess antifungal properties (e.g., Lactobacillus buchneri).

Use based on forage type

• Low-sugar forages: Use of acidifiers.
• Corn silos: Use of antifungal agents to prevent heating.

Does global warming increase interest among conservatives?

Impact of Global Warming

• Early grass growth: Grass silage operations began as early as April.
• New autumn grass silage crops: Specific characteristics.
• Acidification issues: Fertilizers not being properly absorbed by the plant.

Role of curators

• Preservation of plant proteins: Preventing the formation of residual ammonia and biogenic amines.
• Suitable for high-sugar silage: Italian ryegrass with a sugar content exceeding 17–18%.

What is the return on investment for inoculants?

Costs and benefits

• Cost: Between €2.30 and €3 per ton of raw product, or €7 to €9 per ton of dry matter.
• Return on investment: Estimated at 1 to 4, or even 1 to 3.
• Benefits :
  • Limitation of proteolysis.
  • Preserving the quality harvested in the field.
  • Preservation of PDIA.
  • Prevent the formation of residual ammonia and biogenic amines.
  • Better intake thanks to a pleasant smell.

Impact on digestibility

• Improved fiber digestibility: Increase in NDF.

Are preservatives useful in mixed grains?

Use in alloys

• Food self-sufficiency: Farmers are increasingly turning to mixed-grain crops.
• Specific issues :
  • High humidity.
  • Significant variations in sugar, protein, or dry matter content depending on the dominant species.

Role of curators

• Ensuring proper conservation: Controlling dominant species during harvesting.

What dose of inoculants should be used?

Recommendations from Lallemand Animal Nutrition

• Recommended dose: 300,000 CFU of Lactobacillus buchneri NCIMB40788 per gram of forage.
• Customization: Various options are available to accommodate the specific characteristics of each type of forage.