Protein degradation and fermentation characteristics of unwilted red clover and alfalfa silage harvested at various times during the day

Extensive proteolysis during fermentation of high-protein legumes reduces dietary N-use efficiency in ruminants. Research has demonstrated that enhancing the level of fermentable carbohydrates in crops entering the silo may reduce protein degradation by increasing the rate of decline in pH. The objective was to evaluate whether delaying cutting time during the day, to allow accumulation of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), would inhibit proteolysis in the silo. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were harvested at 06.00, 10.00, 14.00 and 18.00 hours in 1993, 1994 and 1995, and ensiled without wilting. TNC accumulated in fresh forage during the day, with starch accounting for more than 0.50 of the daily change in TNC in fresh herbage of both species, except in red clover in 1995. The level of TNC in fresh forage did not consistently affect the extent of protein degradation in either species and, in all instances, alfalfa underwent more extensive proteolysis than red clover. Silage pH typically decreased and starch concentration increased as cutting time was delayed from 06.00 to 18.00 hours. Although the extent of proteolysis was largely unaffected by inherent increases in TNC, harvesting in the afternoon did provide several benefits including increased dry-matter content, lower silage pH and higher starch concentrations. Effluent production is a concern in any unwilted silage system; there was therefore an added advantage of lower moisture content from cutting in the afternoon.