Fermentation studies on wet herbage

Two experiments are described in which the fermentation changes in ensiled wet herbage were studied. In the first experiment Lolium italicum, containing 19.6% of soluble carbohydrate, was used in four silos. Water was added in two silos during filling to reduce the dry matter content from 21.5%; to 17.0%. Although all four silages were well preserved the gaseous losses occurring in the ‚wet silages’︁ were almost three times those obtained from the drier materials. The addition in one treatment of a small amount of soil (0.1%) during filling did not affect adversely the fermentation changes. In the second experiment, Dactylis glomerata containing 6.2% of soluble carbohydrate was ensiled with and without the addition of water. In this experiment 2% molasses was added to two silos as an additional treatment. The resultant silages were not well preserved although the addition of molasses and water produced a silage of lower pH value than when water alone was added.