EFFECTS OF ADDITION MICROBIAL INOCULANTS OR FORMIC ACID TO WHOLE CORN PLANT AT ENSILING ON SILAGE QUALITY, NUTRITIVE VALUE AND RUMEN FERMENTATION IN SHEEP AND MILK YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF LACTATION COWS.

Whole corn plants at stage of maturity were treated by adding microbial inoculants or formic acid at ensiling to determine the effect of these additives (lactic acid bacterial inoculants (LAB) or formic acid) on the fermentation during ensiling. Nutrients digestion coefficients, nitrogen balance, rumen function and DM,CF degradability of sheep fed rations containing untreated or treated silage. Feed intake, milk production and milk composition of crossbred Friesian cows fed treated or un-treated silage plus 6kg CFM were also studied. The results of silage quality indicated that formic acid silage had lower (P<0.05) value of pH, ammonia nitrogen, total VFA and lactic acid than inoculanted silage and untreated silage. The results of the chemical and physical characteristics indicated a good quality for the untreated or treated silages. Nine Barki meal sheep used in digestibility experiment were assigned into 3 similar groups of 3 each. Animals were fed one of experimental rations R1, R2 or control, which containing inoculanted silage, formic acid treated silage or un-treated silage respectively. The results showed insignificant differences (P<0.05) in digestibility of DM and OM among experimental rations. Highest (P<0.05) CP digestibility and NB observed with ration containing formic acid silage. Moreover all animals fed experimental rations showed positive NB. While, highest (P<0.05) CF digestibility was recorded for the ration containing inoculanted silage. However, nutritive value were significantly (P<0.05) higher with R1and R2 than control. Rumen fermentation and in-situ trails determined using three cannulated female Barki sheep. The main results showed that NH₃-N concentration was higher for sheep given the control ration following R1. While, highest (P<0.05) TVFA'S was recorded for sheep fed R1and R2 compared to those fed control ration. On the other hand, microbial protein synthesis was lowest (P<0.05) for sheep fed R1 and R2 than those fed ration containing un-treated silage which recorded highest value. Dry matter and CF degradability showed significant (P<0.05) increased for rations containing inoculants silage than control ration. Ration containing formic acid silage showed intermediate value. Feed intake, milk yield and milk composition were significantly increased for cows fed inoculants silage and formic acid silage. Also, these silage additives showed improved in Net revenue and Economic Efficiency%. These results introduce a novel technique towards making best use of agricultural residues as a compensatory feed for feeding ruminants and minimize such problems of disposal pollution.