ChileanJAR

The use of oats' silage, from two different stages of growth (panicle heading and dough grain) was assessed, using 56 heifers, during 2 years. Fermentation parameters and the effect of protein supplementation on animal performance were studied. A chopper was used for harvesting at both stages. The material was stored in Canadian-type silos. Animals were individually penned during 110 days. Since there were no differences between years, averages were used to compare the following parameters, for panicle heading and dough grain stage, respectively: dry matter availability, 10.0 and 13.5 ton/D.M./ha; dry matter content, 15.8 and 29.4%; total protein, 9.5 and 7.6%; in vitro digestibility, 56.8 and 47.4%; ammonia nitrogen oftotal N, 19.1 and 14.3%. Dry matter intakes and weight gains were 2.5 and 3.0 kg/day and 0.25 and 0.43 kg/animal/day (P < 0.05), during the first year; during the second period, they were 2.1 and 3.0 (P < 0.05) and 0.08 and 0.41 (P < 0.05), respectively. Silage intake and daily gains were affected by protein supplementation (P < 0.05), in both years: 0.48 and 0.25 kg/day, for panicle heading, with and without protein, and 0.66 and 0.43 kg/day, for dough grain stage, with and without protein supplementation. It was concluded that direct cutting of oats for silage without additives, must be made at the dough grain stage. Protein supplementation is advisable for achieving good animal performances.