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Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a vital source of forage protein for ruminants, yet its ensiling poses challenges due to high buffering capacity and low water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). This study investigated the impact of sodium diacetate (SDA) on alfalfa silage quality and aerobic stability. SDA was applied at four different rates to wilted alfalfa on a fresh basis: 0 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 5 g/kg, and 7 g/kg, and silages were ensiled in laboratory-scale silos for 45 days, followed by 7 days of aerobic exposure. A 16S rRNA gene sequencing assay using GenomeLab™ GeXP was performed to determine the relationship between dominant isolated lactic acid bacteria species and fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability on silage. The results showed that Lentilolactobacillus brevis, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Enterococcus faecium were the most prevalent bacteria when silos were opened, whereas Weissella paramesenteroides, Bacillus cereus, B. megaterium and Bacillus spp. were most prevalent bacteria after 7 days of aerobic exposure. Dry matter, pH, and WSC content were not affected by SDA, but doses above 5 g/kg induced a homofermentative process, which increased lactic acid concentration and lactic acid to acetic acid ratio, decreased yeast count during aerobic exposure, and improved aerobic stability. These findings offer useful information for optimizing SDA usage in silage, assuring improved quality and longer storage, and thereby improving animal husbandry and sustainable feed practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: An investigation of poor aerobic stability in high-moisture total mixed rations (TMRs) for livestock feed was conducted in this study. TMR quality factors were discovered, and prospective approaches to increase its fermentation properties and overall stability were investigated. Using infrared thermography (IRT) measurements, it was suggested that dairy cow feeding methods can be optimized in the field by identifying portions with a higher center temperature and maximum temperature difference values. According to the findings, there is a significant potential for IRT to be used in feed management and preservation processes in the future, resulting in higher levels of productivity for livestock. A major objective of this study is to identify factors influencing the quality of high-moisture total mixed rations (TMRs) for livestock feed and explore possible manipulations that can enhance their fermentation characteristics and stability in order to address the problem of poor aerobic stability. Therefore, the current study utilized infrared thermography (IRT) to assess the aerobic stability of water-added TMRs in the feed bunker. By manipulating the moisture content of freshly prepared TMRs at four different levels through water addition and subjecting it to storage at two consistent temperatures, significant correlations between IRT values (center temperature (CT) and maximum temperature difference (MTD)) and key parameters such as lactic acid bacteria, water-soluble carbohydrates, and TMR pH were established. The first and second principal components together accounted for 44.3% of the variation, with the first component's load influenced by IRT parameters, fermentation characteristics, and air exposure times, while the second component's load was influenced by dry matter content and lactic acid concentration. The results of these studies indicate the possibility that feeding methods can be optimized by identifying portions with higher CT or MTD data using IRT measurements just before feeding dairy cows in the field. As a result, increasing the use of IRT in feed management and preservation processes is projected to have a positive impact on animal productivity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to determine the nutritional quality and aerobic stability of sorghum, maize, and their mixture silages without any additives. Sorghum and maize were harvested at dough stage from a local farm in Tekirdağ. Fresh plant materials were chopped to a length of 2-3 cm and packed into polythene bags, and vacuumed. A total of 12 vacuum-packed silos (4 replications in each treatment) were prepared with sorghum (S), maize (M), and a mixture of sorghum-maize (SM) forage (w:w, 50:50 according to dry matter) and stored at room temperature for 60 days. The chemical and microbiological composition of silages with the rate of aerobic deterioration upon aerobic exposure were evaluated. Based on the pH and ammonia nitrogen concentration, all silages could be classified as good quality. The water-soluble carbohydrate level of the SM group increased due to mixing S and M forages, leading to improved lactic acid content. The NDF and ADF values of silages varied between 520.52588.32 and 234.98-309.01 g kg-1, and the differences between silages were significant (P<0.01). The Hemicellulose/Cellulose ratio of S, M, and SM silages were found 0.94, 1.49, and 1.18, respectively. The lactobacilli and yeast content of silages were significant and varied between 5.18-7.41 and 5.18-7.29 log cfu g-1, and the highest and lowest values were observed in SM and S silages, respectively (P<0.01). No visible mold was detected in all silages after 5 days of aerobic exposure (P>0.05). The pH, CO2, and yeast numbers were varied in groups between 4.88-6.74, 55.71-119.33 g kg-1, and 8.40-9.01 log cfu g-1. It was concluded that it is possible to improve the nutritional and fermentation characteristics of sorghum and maize silage by ensiling their mixture. However, it is highly recommended that silage additives should be used to guarantee and strengthen the fermentation and aerobic stability of silage mostly made by a mixture of these two energetic forage crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]