Improved environment

Improved environment with silage additives? Ammonia is one of the main villains causing the huge excess of nitrogen that is currently having such a negative impact on our environment. One of the measures for reducing this excess ammonia in the area of milk production is the improved management of feeding by balancing the protein and energy content of the feed. Studies have also shown that the quantity of ammonia excreted in urine and dung is reduced when the NPN content (Non Protein Nitrogen) of silage is minimized. By adding an ensiling agent containing formic acid (Perstorp's products) during the ensiling process, the breakdown of protein is reduced. A larger proportion of the protein in the silage is utilized by the cow as a result, and the level of NPN is reduced. Milk production is stimulated, as are the levels of fat and protein in the milk, and the quantity of excreted ammonia is reduced. Below are the results of a trial in which formic acid was added to silage in order to study its effect on protein breakdown. (Broderick, 1996) Composition of silage: Control  Formic acid Solids content, % 38.3 35.2 Crude protein, % solids 21.4 20.8 NPN, % of total nitrogen 43.1 29.1 NDF, % solids 38.9 41.2 Feed intake and production: Solids intake, kg/day 18.28 18.19 Milk production, kg/day 29.2* 32.6** Fat,% 3.77* 3.99** Protein, % 2.77* 2.82** *,** Statistically significant difference between a and b. (P< .05)