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Journals / Turkish Journal of Range and Forage Science / 2026 / Volume: 6 Issue: 1

The Effect of Different Withering Times and Different Additives on the Feed Value of Alfalfa Silage

Kadir Emre Buğdaycı(Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases)0000-0002-1715-6904
Mevlüt Türk(Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Facuty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops)0000-0003-4493-887X
Mehmet Alagöz(Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops)0000-0003-0538-5619
Muhammet Taha Edirneli(Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases)0000-0002-4689-0542
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-07-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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

While the effect of additives added to alfalfa silage on DLG classification was insignificant, it was found to be statistically significant in the other properties examined.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:The study was conducted to determine the effects of different withering times and additives on some physical and chemical parameters and the feed value of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) silage.
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Key Findings & Data:In the study, Bilensoy alfalfa variety, 3 different withering times (0, 12 and 24 hours) and 6 different additives (control, 4% barley, 4% wheat, 4% corn, 4% bran, and 2% sucrose) were added, and 18 subjects were examined.
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Conclusion & Impact:While the effect of additives added to alfalfa silage on DLG classification was insignificant, it was found to be statistically significant in the other properties examined.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Additive · Alfalfa · Silage

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effects of different withering times and additives on some physical and chemical parameters and the feed value of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) silage. In the study, Bilensoy alfalfa variety, 3 different withering times (0, 12 and 24 hours) and 6 different additives (control, 4% barley, 4% wheat, 4% corn, 4% bran, and 2% sucrose) were added, and 18 subjects were examined. Silages were formed in the laboratory using vacuum bags (25 × 35 cm in size, 110 micron thickness) and vacuum machines, and the packages were kept at room temperature for 2 months for silage maturation. The DLG scoring method was used to determine the physical quality of mature silages. For chemical quality and feed value, dry matter, pH, crude protein, crude ash, ADF, and NDF values of the silage samples were determined; the Fileg score, total digestible nutrients, dry matter consumption, digestible dry matter, net energy lactation, and relative feed value were calculated. When the research findings were evaluated, the prolonged withering period decreased the crude protein rate determined in alfalfa silage, while DLG classification, pH, Fleg score, dry matter, crude ash, ADF, and NDF rates increased significantly. While the effect of additives added to alfalfa silage on DLG classification was insignificant, it was found to be statistically significant in the other properties examined. It was determined that the additives decreased DLG classification, pH, crude protein, NDF, and ADF ratios, increased Fleg score and crude ash ratio, and significantly improved feed value parameters compared to the control group. As a result, in terms of optimum feed value and alfalfa silage quality, 24-hour withering and 4% maize addition can be recommended compared to the other treatments compared.

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Cite This Article

Buğdaycı, K. E., Türk, M., Alagöz, M., Edirneli, M. T. (2025). The Effect of Different Withering Times and Different Additives on the Feed Value of Alfalfa Silage. Turkish Journal of Range and Forage Science, Volume: 6 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.51801/turkjrfs.1628335

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