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Journals / Black Sea Journal of Agriculture / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 5

The Effect of Molasses and Formic Acid Additives on Fermentation Characteristics and Feed Value of Italian Ryegrass Haylage

Mehtap Güney(Van yüzüncü yıl üniversitesi)0000-0002-0613-3600
Mehmet Salih Kaçmaz(VAN YÜZÜNCÜ YIL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-3419-7342
Pages
707–712
Publication Date
2026-09-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, adding molasses (4.04%) and formic acid (4.52%) to haylage resulted in less dry matter loss compared to the control group (6.67%).

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigated the nutrient composition, feed value, and fermentation profile of haylage obtained by adding molasses and formic acid to italian ryegrass.
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Key Findings & Data:Three groups were formed by adding 5% molasses (IG+M) and 0.5% formic acid (IG+FA) to italian ryegrass (IG) harvested at 40%.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, adding molasses (4.04%) and formic acid (4.52%) to haylage resulted in less dry matter loss compared to the control group (6.67%).
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:: Haylage · Molasses · Formic acid

Abstract

This study investigated the nutrient composition, feed value, and fermentation profile of haylage obtained by adding molasses and formic acid to italian ryegrass. Three groups were formed by adding 5% molasses (IG+M) and 0.5% formic acid (IG+FA) to italian ryegrass (IG) harvested at 40%. Eighteen haylage samples, prepared with six replicates in each group, were compressed in vacuum bags and subjected to fermentation for 65 days. Addition of molasses and formic acid increased dry matter (DM) content in both italian ryegrass and haylage samples. In the haylages, formic acid addition decreased crude protein (CP) content, and increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, molasses addition did not change this (P<0.0001). Feed value was similar to the control (130.65) with molasses addition (131.22), but decreased with formic acid (122.87) addition. Formic acid addition (4.41) increased the pH of haylage, while molasses addition (4.24) showed a similarity to the control (4.24). In the study, LA concentration was obtained similarly to the control (32.54 g/kg DM) with the addition of molasses (37.68 g/kg DM), while it decreased significantly with the addition of formic acid (15.62 g/kg DM). At the same time, the addition of formic acid increased the BA concentration of haylage compared to the molasses and control groups. In conclusion, adding molasses (4.04%) and formic acid (4.52%) to haylage resulted in less dry matter loss compared to the control group (6.67%). It is believed that italian ryegrass can be successfully fermented in haylage form with 5% molasses at this dry matter content.

Özet

This study investigated the nutrient composition, feed value, and fermentation profile of haylage obtained by adding molasses and formic acid to italian ryegrass. Three groups were formed by adding 5% molasses (IG+M) and 0.5% formic acid (IG+FA) to italian ryegrass (IG) harvested at 40%. Eighteen haylage samples, prepared with six replicates in each group, were compressed in vacuum bags and subjected to fermentation for 65 days. Addition of molasses and formic acid increased dry matter (DM) content in both italian ryegrass and haylage samples. In the haylages, formic acid addition decreased crude protein (CP) content, and increased neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content, molasses addition did not change this (P<0.0001). Feed value was similar to the control (130.65) with molasses addition (131.22), but decreased with formic acid (122.87) addition. Formic acid addition (4.41) increased the pH of haylage, while molasses addition (4.24) showed a similarity to the control (4.24). In the study, LA concentration was obtained similarly to the control (32.54 g/kg DM) with the addition of molasses (37.68 g/kg DM), while it decreased significantly with the addition of formic acid (15.62 g/kg DM). At the same time, the addition of formic acid increased the BA concentration of haylage compared to the molasses and control groups. In conclusion, adding molasses (4.04%) and formic acid (4.52%) to haylage resulted in less dry matter loss compared to the control group (6.67%). It is believed that italian ryegrass can be successfully fermented in haylage form with 5% molasses at this dry matter content.

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Cite This Article

Güney, M., Kaçmaz, M. S. (2026). The Effect of Molasses and Formic Acid Additives on Fermentation Characteristics and Feed Value of Italian Ryegrass Haylage. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 5, 707–712. https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1971666

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