Forages and Pastures: Composition and Quality.

The article presents abstracts of various papers related to animal feeding that were presented during the symposium held on July 28, 2005 in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was organized by the American Dairy Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science, and the Canadian Society of Animal Science. One of the papers discussed is "Ruminal and Post Ruminal Crude Protein Digestion of Halophyte Forages (Kochia scoparia, Atriplex domorphostegia) Determined by Various Procedures," by A. Riasi, M. Stem, M. Danesh Mesgaran, and M. Ruiz Moreno. Ruminal, post-ruminal and total tract crude protein digestion of two low-quality forages originating from central Iranian deserts (Kochiascoparia, Atriplex domorphostegia) were evaluated using in situ, three-step and Daisy incubator procedures. These forages are halophytic plants typically grown on salty land that are a significant part of the local flora in central Iran. Another paper discussed is "Factors Affecting the Quality of Corn Silage Grown in Hot, Humid Areas 1: Effect of Delayed Sealing, Simulated Rainfall and Ensiling Temperature," by A. Adesogan and S. Kim. This study aimed to determine how simulated rainfall, delayed sealing and high ensiling temperatures affect the fermentation and aerobic stability of corn silage. Half of each of four, replicated, 6 x 1.5 m plots of a corn hybrid were harvested at 350 g DM 1kg. The remaining half was harvested after it was sprinkled with sufficient water to simulate 4 mm of rainfall.