DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-093-1-0094

IMPACT OF AN OXYGEN BARRIER FILM ON THE PRESERVATION AND PREDICTED FEEDING VALUE OF WHOLE-PLANT CORN SILAGE

Amaro, F. X.¹, Wigley, S.¹

¹ Passion Ag, Uni 30 Branbridges Industrial Estate, East Peckham, Kent, TN12 5HF, United Kingdom

This study evaluated the effects of a high-performance oxygen barrier (oxygen transmission rate < 0.4 cm³/m²/24 h; DIN 53380-3) on nutritive value, and estimated milk production of whole-plant corn silage produced on a commercial dairy farm in Brazil. Corn was harvested in early February (DM, CP, NDF, ADF, starch and ash concentrations; 349, 82.9, 407, 224, 271 and 41.3 g kg-1, respectively) and ensiled in two bunker silos (60 × 12 × 1.8 m; length × width × height), which were sealed using a standard polyethylene (PE) and an oxygen barrier (OB) + PE cover. Samples were collected at 64, 103, 164, and 178 days after ensiling from three locations on the silo face: 25 cm below the surface under each cover type and from the center of the silo at 100 cm from the floor. Samples were analyzed for chemical composition, and the estimated milk yield/ton of silage was calculated. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Silage sealed with the OB showed greater dry matter and starch concentrations and lower fiber fractions (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and lignin) compared with PE-sealed silage (P < 0.05). Furthermore, predicted milk production, estimated using the Milk2006 and Milk2024 models, was greater for OB than for PE silages (1641.4 vs. 1598.3 kg/ton and 1589 vs. 1543 kg/ton; P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that the use of a high-performance oxygen barrier improves preservation of whole-plant corn silage nutritive value and enhances predicted milk yield per ton of silage.

Keywords: Commercial farm, High-performance oxygen barrier film, Milk2024

pages: 94-95, Published: 2026, online: 2026