Lactobacillus buchneri and molasses can alter the physicochemical properties of cassava leaf silage

In developing countries where feed resources are scarce, cassava leaves can be used as feed for animals. However, the use of cassava leaves is limited mainly because of their high fibre content and overall acceptability by animals. The resolution to this problem is to process the cassava leaves by ensiling and using additives. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the effects of including different inclusion levels of molasses and bacteria concentration on the physicochemical properties of cassava leaf silage. Molasses was added at inclusion levels of 0, 3, 5 and 7 g/100g of the chopped cassava leaves, and Lactobacillus buchneri was mixed with chopped cassava leaves at different concentrations of 0, 3.1 × 106 cfu/ml, 3.1 × 108 cfu/ml and 3.1 × 1010 cfu/ml. The effects of inclusion level of molasses on the colour, smell and texture of cassava leaf silage were significant (P < 0.05). Inclusion of bacteria concentration also influenced the smell of silage (P < 0.05). Effects of the inclusion level of molasses and bacteria concentration resulted in decreased pH, crude protein and crude fibre of silage (P < 0.05). There was a quadratic relationship between Ca and K with inclusion level of molasses in cassava leaf silage (P < 0.05). A positive linear relationship was observed between Mg and molasses inclusion levels in cassava leaf silage (P < 0.05). Using principal component analysis (PCA), molasses had a strong positive correlation with PCA 1, whereas crude fibre, pH and crude protein had a positive correlation with PCA 2. The inclusion level of bacterial concentration was negatively correlated to Ca, CP, P and CF. From the study, the use of molasses and L. buchneri can greatly improve the physicochemical qualities of cassava leaf silage.

Corn Stover Silage Inoculated with Ferulic Acid Esterase Producing L. johnsonii, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, and L. brevis Strains: Fermentative and Nutritional Parameters

Corn stover (CS) is an abundant lignocellulosic by-product of the grain industry. Ferulic acid esterase producing (FAE+)-lactobacilli can potentially improve ensiled forages’ nutritive value through the hydrolysis of ferulic acid ester bonds present in cell walls during the fermentation process, but this has not been addressed in CS silage. In this study, we characterized 8 FAE+ lactobacilli regarding their FAE activity and inoculant aptitude: Lactobacillus (L.) johnsonii (CRL2237, CRL2238, CRL2240), L. plantarum (ETC182, CRL046, CRL2241), L. fermentum CRL1446 and L. brevis CRL2239. Next, 25% dry matter (DM) CS mini silos were prepared and either not inoculated (UN) or inoculated with each strain (105 CFU g fresh matter−1). Compared to UN, DM loss was significantly reduced in CRL046 and CRL2239, and organic matter increased in CRL2241-inoculated silages. Although the rest of the digestibility measures were not improved, in situ acid detergent fiber degradability (ADFD) was increased by the CRL2238 strain when compared to UN. Results in inoculated silages were not correlated with FAE activity quantification or growth/acidification studies in a CS-derived culture broth. This study demonstrates the potential of several FAE+ lactobacilli strains as CS inoculants and encourages further research.

Effects of inoculating feruloyl esterase-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A1 on ensiling characteristics, in vitro ruminal fermentation and microbiota of alfalfa silage

BACKGROUND

Ferulic acid esterase (FAE)-secreting Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A1 (Lp A1) is a promising silage inoculant due to the FAE's ability to alter the plant cell wall structure during ensiling, an action that is expected to improve forage digestibility. However, little is known regarding the impacts of Lp A1 on rumen microbiota. Our research assessed the influences of Lp A1 in comparison to a widely adopted commercial inoculant Lp MTD/1 on alfalfa's ensilage, in vitro rumen incubation and microbiota.

RESULTS

Samples of fresh and ensiled alfalfa treated with (either Lp A1 or Lp MTD/1) or without additives (as control; CON) and ensiled for 30, 60 and 90 d were used for fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility and batch culture study. Inoculants treated silage had lower (P < 0.001) pH, acetic acid concentration and dry matter (DM) loss, but higher (P = 0.001) lactic acid concentration than the CON during ensiling. Compared to the CON and Lp MTD/1, silage treated with Lp A1 had lower (P < 0.001) aNDF, ADF, ADL, hemicellulose, and cellulose contents and higher (P < 0.001) free ferulic acid concentration. Compared silage treated with Lp MTD/1, silage treated with Lp A1 had significantly (P < 0.01) improved ruminal gas production and digestibility, which were equivalent to those of fresh alfalfa. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that Lp A1 inoculation improved the relative abundances of rumen's total bacteria, fungi, Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens, while the relative abundance of methanogens was reduced by Lp MTD/1 compared with CON. Principal component analysis of rumen bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed a clear distinction between CON and inoculated treatments without noticeable distinction between Lp A1 and Lp MTD/1 treatments. Comparison analysis revealed differences in the relative abundance of some bacteria in different taxa between Lp A1 and Lp MTD/1 treatments. Silage treated with Lp A1 exhibited improved rumen fermentation characteristics due to the inoculant effects on the rumen microbial populations and bacterial community.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that silage inoculation of the FAE-producing Lp A1 could be effective in improving silage quality and digestibility, and modulating the rumen fermentation to improve feed utilization.

Ferulic Acid Esterase Producing Lactobacillus johnsonii from Goat Feces as Corn Silage Inoculants

Ferulic acid esterase (FAE+)-producing lactobacilli are being studied as silage inoculants due to their potential of increasing forage fiber digestibility. In this work, three FAE+ Lactobacillus (L.) johnsonii strains were isolated from caprine feces and characterized according to their potential probiotic characteristics and as silage inoculants. Limosilactobacillus fermentum CRL1446, a human probiotic isolated from goat cheese, was also included in the experiments as a potential silage inoculant. FAE activity quantification, probiotic characterization, and growth in maize aqueous extract indicated that L. johnsonii ETC187 might have a better inoculant and probiotic aptitude. Nevertheless, results in whole-corn mini silos indicated that, although acid detergent fiber (ADF) was significantly reduced by this strain (3% compared with the uninoculated (UN) group), L. johnsonii ETC150 and CRL1446 not only induced similar ADF reduction but also reduced dry matter (DM) loss (by 7.3% and 6.5%, respectively) compared with the UN group. Additionally, CRL1446 increased in vitro DM degradability by 10%. All treatments reduced gas losses when compared with the UN group. The potential probiotic features of these strains, as well as their beneficial impact on corn fermentation shown in this study, encourage further studies as enhancers in animal production.

Effects of Different Moisture Levels and Additives on the Ensiling Characteristics and In Vitro Digestibility of Stylosanthes Silage

Simple Summary

The silage fermentation of Stylosanthes is one of the most effective solutions to solve the shortage of feed due to the inability of Stylosanthes to grow in winter. In our previous study, it was found that the effect of direct silage fermentation was poor due to factors such as the high buffer energy value and high fiber content. In this study, we used the transgenic engineered lactic acid bacteria independently developed by our team as additives to explore the effects of cellulase-producing engineered lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation quality and in vitro digestibility of Stylosanthes silage under different raw material moisture contents. The results are discussed in terms of chemical composition. We found that lactic acid bacteria can produce a large amount of cellulase in the process of Stylosanthes silage fermentation, significantly reduce the fiber content in Stylosanthes, and improve the quality and in vitro digestibility of Stylosanthes silage. Our research results provide a deeper understanding of the influence of moisture content and lactic acid bacteria additives on Stylosanthes silage, and provide technical support and a theoretical basis for guiding production practice and further in-depth research, development and utilization of more warm-season forage silage.

Abstract

The present study aims to estimate the dynamic effects of moisture levels and inoculants on the fermentation quality and in vitro degradability of Stylosanthes silage. In this experiment, Stylosanthes was ensiled with (1) no additive (control), (2) Lactobacillus plantarum (LP), (3) Lactobacillus plantarum carrying heterologous genes encoding multifunctional glycoside hydrolases (xg), or (4) LP + xg and was wilted until different moisture levels (60% and 72%) were attained. The ensiled bags were unpacked after different storage periods to determine the chemical composition and fermentation quality of the Stylosanthes silage. Moreover, the in vitro degradability was also determined 45 days after the ensiling process. The results show that the silage prepared with freshly mowed Stylosanthes also had a lower pH and NH₃- N content. Adding transgenic engineered lactic acid bacteria xg not only decreased the NDF and ADF content of the silage, but also improved the in vitro digestibility significantly. We concluded that the addition of xg to Stylosanthes silage can improve its quality and increase in vitro digestibility and gas production. The results provide technical support and a theoretical basis for the utilization of warm-season forage silage.

Effects of lignocellulolytic enzymes on the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal disappearance of whole-plant corn silage

The objective of this study was to examine the enzyme activities of an enzymatic complex produced by Pleurotus ostreatus in different pH and the effects of adding increased application rates of this enzymatic complex on the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and in situ ruminal disappearance of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) at the onset of fermentation and 30 d after ensiling. The lignocellulolytic enzymatic complex was obtained through in vitro cultivation of P. ostreatus. In the first experiment, the activities of laccase, lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase, endo- and exo-glucanase, xylanase, and mannanase were determined at pH 3, 4, 5, and 6. In the second experiment, five application rates of enzymatic complex were tested in a randomized complete block design (0, 9, 18, 27, and 36 mg of lignocellulosic enzymes/kg of fresh whole-plant corn [WPC], corresponding to 0, 0.587, 1.156, 1.734, and 2.312 g of enzymatic complex/kg of fresh WPC, respectively). There were four replicates per treatment (vacuum-sealed bags) per opening time. Bags were opened 1, 2, 3, and 7 d after ensiling (onset of fermentation period) and 30 d after ensiling to evaluate the fermentation profile, chemical composition, and in situ dry matter and neutral fiber detergent disappearance of WPCS. Laccase had the greatest activity at pH 5 (P < 0.01), whereas manganese peroxidase and LiP had the greatest activity at pH 4 (P < 0.01; P < 0.01). There was no effect of the rate of application of enzymatic complex, at the onset of fermentation, on the fermentation profile (P > 0.21), and chemical composition (P > 0.36). The concentration of water-soluble carbohydrate quadratically decreased (P < 0.01) over the ensiling time at the onset of fermentation, leading to a quadratic increase of lactic acid (P = 0.02) and a linear increase of acetic acid (P = 0.02) throughout fermentation. Consequently, pH quadratically decreased (P < 0.01). Lignin concentration linearly decreased (P = 0.04) with the enzymatic complex application rates at 30 d of storage; however, other nutrients and fermentation profiles did not change (P > 0.11) with the enzymatic complex application rates. Addition of lignocellulolytic enzymatic complex from P. ostreatus cultivation to WPC at ensiling decreased WPCS lignin concentration 30 d after ensiling; however, it was not sufficient to improve in situ disappearance of fiber and dry matter.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis and its metabolites on corn silage quality

Cellulolytic micro-organisms are potent silage inoculants that decrease the fibrous content in silage and increase the fibre digestibility and nutritional value of silage. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Bacillus subtilis CCMA 0087 and its enzyme β-glucosidase on the nutritional value and aerobic stability of corn silage after 30 and 60 days of storage. We compared the results among silage without inoculant (SC) and silages inoculated with B. subtilis 8 log₁₀ CFU per kg forage (SB8), 9 log₁₀ CFU per kg forage (SB9) and 9·84 log₁₀ CFU per kg forage + β-glucosidase enzyme (SBE). No differences were observed in the levels of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre due to the different treatments or storage times of the silos. Notably, the population of spore-forming bacteria increased in the SB9-treated silage. At 60 days of ensiling, the largest populations of lactic acid bacteria were found in silages treated with SB8 and SBE. Yeast populations were low for all silages, irrespective of the different treatments, and the presence of filamentous fungi was observed only in the SBE-treated silage. Among all silage treatments, SB9 treatment resulted in the highest aerobic stability.

Comparison of Enzyme Secretion and Ferulic Acid Production by Escherichia coli Expressing Different Lactobacillus Feruloyl Esterases

Construction of recombinant Escherichia coli strains carrying feruloyl esterase genes for secretory expression offers an attractive way to facilitate enzyme purification and one-step production of ferulic acid from agricultural waste. A total of 10 feruloyl esterases derived from nine Lactobacillus species were expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) to investigate their secretion and ferulic acid production. Extracellular activity determination showed all these Lactobacillus feruloyl esterases could be secreted out of E. coli cells. However, protein analysis indicated that they could be classified as three types. The first type presented a low secretion level, including feruloyl esterases derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus johnsonii. The second type showed a high secretion level, including feruloyl esterases derived from Lactobacillus amylovorus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus helveticus. The third type also behaved a high secretion level but easy degradation, including feruloyl esterases derived from Lactobacillus farciminis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus reuteri. Moreover, these recombinant E. coli strains could directly release ferulic acid from agricultural waste. The highest yield was 140 μg on the basis of 0.1 g de-starched wheat bran by using E. coli expressed L. amylovorus feruloyl esterase. These results provided a solid basis for the production of feruloyl esterase and ferulic acid.

Effects of inoculants on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibility of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) silage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

To effectively use local available grass resources to cover the winter feed shortage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, direct-cut and wilted reed canary grass (RCG) silages were prepared by using a rolled-bale system, and their ensiling characteristics and in vitro digestibility were studied. Silages were treated without (control) or with inoculants including LP (Lactobacillus plantarum), LPLB (L. plantarum, L. buchneri), and LPLBc (L. plantarum, L. buchneri, and cellulase), and were stored at ambient temperature (5.7-14.6°C) for 90 days. Compared with control, the inoculated silages increased (p < .05) lactic acid and acetic acid contents, and reduced (p < .05) final pH value and ammonia-N ratio of total N. The highest WSC content (41.2 g/kg DM) occurred for LPLB-inoculated silage, whereas LPLBc-treated silage displayed the lowest contents of NDF (522.9 g/kg DM) and ADF (275.5 g/kg DM). In addition, LPLBc-inoculated silage had the highest in vitro gas production (51.0 ml/g DM), in vitro DM digestibility (619.3 g/kg DM), and metabolic energy (9.6 kJ/kg DM). These results confirmed that treatments with inoculants at ensiling could improve silage fermentation and in vitro digestibility of RCG, and this could be a potential winter feed for animals on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Fibrolytic enzymes improve the nutritive value of high-moisture corn for finishing bulls

Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) improve the energy availability of grains for nonruminant animals by reducing encapsulation of the endosperm nutrients within grain cell walls; however, these benefits are unknown in the treatment of corn-based silage for cattle. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of adding EFE at ensiling on the nutritive value of high-moisture corn (HMC) and snaplage (SNAP) for finishing Nellore bulls. The EFE dose was 100 g/Mg fresh matter in both HMC and SNAP. Diets were 1) a SNAP + HMC control (without enzyme addition); 2) SNAP + HMC EFE (with enzymes); 3) a whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) + HMC control (without enzyme addition); and 4) WPCS + HMC EFE (with enzymes). In addition to the silages, the diets were also composed of soybean hulls, soybean meal, and mineral-vitamin supplement. The statistical design was a randomized complete block with a factorial arrangement of treatments, and the experiment lasted 122 d. For in situ and in vitro analyses, 2 cannulated dry cows were used. There was no interaction between the diets and EFE application (ADG, P = 0.92; DMI, P = 0.77; G:F, P = 0.70), and there was no difference between the SNAP and WPCS diets regarding the DMI (P = 0.53), ADG (P = 0.35), and feed efficiency (ADG:DMI, P = 0.83). Adding EFE to the HMC and SNAP at ensiling did not affect ADG but decreased DMI (P = 0.01), resulting in greater feed efficiency by 5.91% (P = 0.04) than that observed in animals fed diets without the addition of EFE. Addition of EFE to HMC resulted in reduced NDF content and increased in vitro and in situ DM digestibility compared with untreated HMC. No effects were found for the addition of EFE to SNAP. Fecal starch decreased with EFE application (P = 0.05). Therefore, the diet energy content (TDN, NEm, and NEg) calculated from animal performance increased (P = 0.01) with the addition of EFE to HMC. In conclusion, exchanging the NDF from WPCS with that from SNAP did not affect the performance of finishing cattle, whereas the addition of EFE to HMC at ensiling improved animal performance by increasing the energy availability of the grain.

Does glucose affect the de-esterification of methyl ferulate by Lactobacillus buchneri?

Silage, the fermented product from anaerobic storage of forage crops with high water contents (50%–70%), is normally used as animal feed but also for the production of biofuels and value‐added products. To improve the utilization of plant fibers during ensiling, previous attempts have aimed at breaking linkages between lignin and hemicellulose by use of Lactobacillus buchneri LN 4017 (ATCC PTA‐6138), a feruloyl esterase (FAE)‐producing strain, but results have been inconsistent. Normally, there are sufficient amounts of readily available substrates for bacterial growth in silage. We thus hypothesized that the inconsistent effect of L. buchneri LN 4017 on the digestibility of silage fibers is due to the catabolic repression of FAE activity by substrates present in silage (e.g., glucose). To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the effect of glucose on the de‐esterification of methyl ferulate (MF), a model substrate used for FAE activity assays. At three glucose:MF ratios (0:1, 1:1, and 13:1), the bacteria continued hydrolyzing MF with increasing glucose:MF ratios, indicating that the de‐esterification reaction was not repressed by glucose. We therefore conclude that the de‐esterification activity of L. buchneri LN 4017 is not repressed by silage substrates during ensiling.

Effects of ferulic acid esterase-producing Lactobacillus fermentum and cellulase additives on the fermentation quality and microbial community of alfalfa silage

Background

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an important forage material widely used for animal feed production. Ensiling is an effective method for preserving alfalfa, but it has shown some limitations in the production of high-quality alfalfa silage due to its low water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) content and high buffering capacity. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and cellulase are often used as silage additives to promote the ensiling process and enhance fermentation quality.

Methods

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of ferulic acid esterase (FAE)-producing Lactobacillus fermentum 17SD-2 (LF) and cellulase (CE) on the fermentation quality and microbial community of alfalfa silage. After 60 days of ensiling, analysis of fermentation quality and bacterial diversity in alfalfa silages were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography and high-throughput sequencing methods.

Results

Alfalfa was ensiled with additives (LF, CE, and LF+CE) or without additives for 60 days. All additives increased lactic acid and decreased pH values and ammonia-N contents compared to control. Among all treatments, the combined addition of LF and CE showed lowest pH (4.66) and ammonia-N (NH₃-N, 0.57% DM) content, highest contents of lactic acid (LA, 10.51% DM), dry matter (DM, 22.54%) and crude protein (CP, 24.60% DM). Combined addition of LF and CE performed better in reducing neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 29.76% DM) and acid detergent fiber (ADF, 22.86% DM) contents than the addition of LF (33.71, 27.39% DM) or CE (32.07, 25.45% DM) alone. Moreover, the microbial analysis indicated that LF+CE treatments increased the abundance of desirable Lactobacillus and inhibited the growth of detrimental Enterobacter and Clostridia in alfalfa silage.

Discussion

Combined addition of FAE-producing LF and CE is more effective than treatments of LF or CE alone in improving fermentation quality and nutrition values of alfalfa silage. This is likely due to a synergistic effect of CE and FAE produced by LF on plant cell wall degradation, indicating that these additives promote each other to improve fiber degradation and silage fermentation. In conclusion, combined addition of FAE-producing LF and CE could be a feasible way to improve alfalfa silage quality.

Symposium review: Technologies for improving fiber utilization

The forage lignocellulosic complex is one of the greatest limitations to utilization of the nutrients and energy in fiber. Consequently, several technologies have been developed to increase forage fiber utilization by dairy cows. Physical or mechanical processing techniques reduce forage particle size and gut fill and thereby increase intake. Such techniques increase the surface area for microbial colonization and may increase fiber utilization. Genetic technologies such as brown midrib mutants (BMR) with less lignin have been among the most repeatable and practical strategies to increase fiber utilization. Newer BMR corn hybrids are better yielding than the early hybrids and recent brachytic dwarf BMR sorghum hybrids avoid lodging problems of early hybrids. Several alkalis have been effective at increasing fiber digestibility. Among these, ammoniation has the added benefit of increasing the nitrogen concentration of the forage. However, few of these have been widely adopted due to the cost and the caustic nature of the chemicals. Urea treatment is more benign but requires sufficient urease and moisture for efficacy. Ammonia-fiber expansion technology uses high temperature, moisture, and pressure to degrade lignocellulose to a greater extent than ammoniation alone, but it occurs in reactors and is therefore not currently usable on farms. Biological technologies for increasing fiber utilization such as application of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes, live yeasts, and yeast culture have had equivocal effects on forage fiber digestion in individual studies, but recent meta-analyses indicate that their overall effects are positive. Nonhydrolytic expansin-like proteins act in synergy with fibrolytic enzymes to increase fiber digestion beyond that achieved by the enzyme alone due to their ability to expand cellulose microfibrils allowing greater enzyme penetration of the cell wall matrix. White-rot fungi are perhaps the biological agents with the greatest potential for lignocellulose deconstruction, but they require aerobic conditions and several strains degrade easily digestible carbohydrates. Less ruminant nutrition research has been conducted on brown rot fungi that deconstruct lignocellulose by generating highly destructive hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction. More research is needed to increase the repeatability, efficacy, cost effectiveness, and on-farm applicability of technologies for increasing fiber utilization.

ALTURA DE CORTE E ADIÇÃO DE INOCULANTE ENZIMO-BACTERIANO NA COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICO-BROMATOLÓGICA E DIGESTIBILIDADE DE SILAGENS DE MILHO AVALIADA EM OVINOS

Resumo Objetivou-se com este ensaio observar a influência da altura de corte da planta de milho, associada ou não a um inoculante enzimo-bacteriano, sobre a composição químico-bromatológica e digestibilidade das silagens avaliadas em ovinos. Os tratamentos foram silagens de milho colhidas a 20 e 40 centímetros acima do nível do solo, com ou sem inoculante. Utilizou-se como inoculante o aditivo Maize-All®. As variáveis analisadas na silagem foram pH, matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, hemicelulose, celulose, lignina e carboidratos não fibrosos. No ensaio de digestibilidade, avaliou-se a digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO, PB, EE, FDN, FDA, Hem e CNF. Observou-se com a elevação da altura de corte redução na concentração de lignina, o milho colhido a 20 cm apresentou uma concentração superior ao colhido a 40 cm, verificando-se concentrações de 84,0 g. kg-1 MS e 69,3 g. kg-1 MS, respectivamente, não havendo efeito da inoculação. Não foi observado efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre as digestibilidades. A elevação da altura de corte apresentou alteração apenas nas concentrações de lignina. No entanto, essa redução de lignina não influenciou nas digestibilidades e consequentemente não alterou as concentrações de NDT.

Effects of Different Cutting Height on Nutritional Quality of Whole Crop Barley Silage and Feed Value on Hanwoo Heifers

The present study evaluated the effects of different cutting height on nutritive value, fermentation quality, in vitro and in vivo digestibility of whole crop barley silage. Whole crop barley forage (Yuyeon hybrid) was harvested at height of 5, 10, and 15 cm from the ground level. Each cutting height was rolled to make round bale and ensiled for 100 days. After 100 days of ensiling, pH of silage was lower (p<0.05) in 5 cm, but no difference between 10 and 15 cm of cutting height. The content of lactate and lactate to acetate ratio were increased (p<0.05) in 5 cm of cutting height, whereas the acetate content was higher (p<0.05) in 10 and 15 cm than that of 5 cm cutting height. Aerobic stability was greater (p<0.05) in silages of 10 and 15 cm of cutting height. Three total mixed rations (TMR) were formulated with silages from the three different cutting heights (TMR5, TMR10, and TMR15) incorporated as forage at 70:30 ratio with concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis). In vitro dry matter digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the TMR5 and TMR10 than that in TMR15, whereas in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the TMR10 and TMR15 than that in TMR5. Concentration of NH3-N was highest (p<0.05) in the TMR10 followed by TMR15 and TMR5. Total volatile fatty acid was decreased (p<0.05) with increased cutting height. The digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber were highest (p<0.05) in TMR15, than those in TMR5 and TMR10, whereas acid detergent fiber digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in TMR5 than that in TMR10. The results showed that increasing cutting height, at least up to 10 to 15 cm, of whole crop barley forage at harvest (Yuyeon) may be beneficial for making silage for TMR formulation and increasing digestibility of DM and NDF.