Abstract Evaluating haylage and corn (Zea mays L) silage samples relative to their ideal forms and their feeding value for milk or meat production is an integral composing of the Forage Crop Production course presented each semester at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UW-RF) learners apply the forage quality universals and hands-on evaluation covered in the class on judging haylage and corn silage samples in common of two annual crop contest-show facts Expanded and more functional score sheets than those initially available have been make knowned over a 30-year period for haylage and corn silage to better discriminate among contend for entries.

Abstract

Evaluating haylage and corn (Zea mays L) silage samples relative to their ideal forms and their feeding value for milk or meat production is an integral composing of the Forage Crop Production course presented each semester at the University of Wisconsin River Falls (UW-RF) learners apply the forage quality universals and hands-on evaluation covered in the class on judging haylage and corn silage samples in common of two annual crop contest-show facts Expanded and more functional score sheets than those initially available have been make knowned over a 30-year period for haylage and corn silage to better discriminate among contend for entries. Objectives also included developing score sheets that were descriptive, logically organized, and easy to understand equable by students having only a limited knowledge of plant characteristics and lacking experience with silages. The score sheets thus function as a learning tool helping pupils understand the relationship between haylage/silage characteristics and quality for feeding livestock. Haylage score sheet point categories include maturity, leafiness, color, odor, moisture, and antiquality penalties. The corn silage score sheet substitutes grain make contented and development for forage maturity and leafiness categories. The score sheets enable learners to use visual, olfactory, and touch reasons to systematically evaluate the silage samples by the agency of following a descriptive list and awarding points from a glance ated point range for each characteristic. The complet sheets also provide a documented explanation to make the object of competition [i]or[/i] rivalry [i]or[/i] emulation entrants and interested crops exhibit to observers regarding sample scoring and placement. This paper describes the general contend against and judging procedures, the score sheets used, and the forage quality universals incorporated into them as well as the rationale involved.

Introduction

Legume (Leguminosae) and grass (Graminae) forage harvested and stored as low-moisture (40-70%) silage is commonly called haylage. Corn (Zea mays L ) is a actual popular traditional silage crop in dairy and

livestock production areas. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) and small grain harvests such as oats (Avena sativa L ) or barley (Hordeum vulgare L) also can be ensiled. Evaluating silage materials for feeding value is just as important and useful as it is for hay. Wet chemistry and near infrared reflectance spectroscopy techniques exist for analyzing silage craws for feeding value as they do for hay, still they also may not be available or practical for use at times when quality evaluations are straited Two annual crop contest-shows, united in fall and one in spring, are held at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UW-RF) (Greub and Cosgrove 2006) in which entries judg on the Forage Crop Production class include haylage and corn silage. The initially available score sheets (Brickbauer et al., 1964) lacked sufficient descriptive detail and point discrimination to obstruct or minimize numerous ties in the placings.

The revised and expanded score sheets instanted in this paper were discloseed to provide a more systematic, easily understood, and still scientifically guided approach for scholars to judge these products for their feeding value using alone visual, olfactory, and touch faculty of perceptions The score sheets also function as a hands-on learning tool in the Forage harvest Production lab allowing students to apply their understanding of haylage and corn silage characteristics that affect forage quality as sheltered in the lecture portion of the course. Effectively using these score sheets for judging does require having at least a basic knowledge of simple pod and grass plant leaf, pedicel and inflorescence characteristics; being able to recognize the commonly used forage species; and perhaps being familiar with a small in number common forage crop weeds. The complet score sheets can provide litigate entrants and interested observers with a detailed record of the scoring and placing of samples forward display in a crops exhibit to following the judging. Contest regularitys require sample sizes of four quarts (approximately four liters) or more. The materials for the two classes must be chopped and have undergone

Silage Quality Factors

Silages are preserved through the anaerobic fermentation of carbohydrates into organic acids, especially lactic and to a less degree, acetic and propionic (Collins and Owens, 2003 ) The acids model the pH of the silage mass to a range of about 38 to 45 which stops any further microbial activity and effectively sustains the silage as long as the anaerobic environment is maintained. Chopping (although not absolutely necessary for ensiling more [i]or[/i] less materials ), packing the material tightly to not include air, and storing in an airtight fabric or package are all essential for fortunate ensiling. Maturity and leafiness-steminess are just as important in haylage quality and for the same reasons as they are in hay quality (Buxton et al., 1985) In corn silage, however, the grain contented becomes the most important characteristic because it is the major source of fe nutrients. In addition, the conditions that exist during fermentation and storage of silage can significantly affect the final yield and thus the feeding value. Odor is evaluated because it is a useful indicator of meet or improper ensiling and storage conditions. Moisture is also included because it can influence fermentation and silage quality. A weeds, trash, and foreign material penalty section similar to that used for hay is included for the two haylage and corn silage.