Ensiling alfalfa with whole crop corn improves the silage quality and in vitro digestibility of the silage mixtures

To evaluate the silage quality, digestibility, invitro ruminal fermentation of silages mixed by different rates of alfalfa and whole crop corn, alfalfa and corn were mixed and ensiled at the ratio of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 0:100, respectively. Fermentative parameters, chemical composition, invitro digestibility of the silages were detected after 60days of ensiling. Dry matter, lactic acid content, Flieg point increased and pH, acetic acid, ammonia N content, non-protein nitrogen and soluble protein in crude protein decreased with the proportion increase of whole crop corn in silage. Butyric acid was only detected in pure alfalfa silage. Gas production, invitro dry matter digestibility, total volatile fatty acids, propionate proportion in volatile fatty acids increased and valerate, isovalerate, ratio of non-glucogenic to glucogenic acids decreased with the proportion increase of whole crop corn in silage. Gas production rate and half time were not different among treatments. In conclusion, high quality silage can be obtained by ensiling alfalfa with whole crop corn without requirement of additives. Ensiling alfalfa with whole crop corn improves digestibility of the mixed silage. The digestibility and fermentability of the silage can be regulated by the ratio of alfalfa to corn.