| Abstract : |
This study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 on eight family dairy farms located in two distinct agro-ecological regions of the Republic of Srpska, with the objective to evaluate the effects of location and environmental conditions on the quality parameters of corn silage. The selected sites differed in their continental climate sub-types: a more humid variant prevailed in the Gradiška area (L1), whereas a drier continental climate characterized the Bijeljina area (L2). At each location, four representative farms (capacities ranging from 6 to 16 lactating cows) were selected, from which representative composite samples of corn silage were collected annually. The samples were analyzed to determine fermentation dynamics (pH), nutritional value indicators (dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, crude ash), net energy for lactation (NEL), and particle size distribution using the Penn State Particle Separator (PSPS).
The results indicated that location exerted a highly significant effect on dry matter content, crude fiber, and energy value (p<0.01), as well as a significant effect on crude protein content (p<0.05). The year of production had a highly significant effect on the energy value (p<0.01) and a significant effect on the dry matter content (p<0.05). Throughout the study period, silage pH values remained stable and optimal, ranging from 3.60 to 4.26. The average dry matter content was significantly lower at location L2 (233.8–308.7 g kg⁻¹ DM) compared to location L1 (318.7–392.8 g kg⁻¹ DM). Consequently, the net energy for lactation (NEL) was superior at location L1, reaching up to 6.52 MJ kg⁻¹ DM, compared to a minimum of 5.90 MJ kg⁻¹ DM recorded at location L2. Structural analysis revealed systematic deviations in particle size distribution relative to recommended standards during the first two years of the study at location L2, with deviations amounting to 41.67% on the third sieve and 25.0% in the bottom pan. Similarly, during the first two years at location L1, a deviation of 25.0% was observed on both the third sieve and in the bottom pan, prior to complete stabilization in the final year of the experiment.
These findings highlight that while the technical processes of compaction and fermentation can be effectively standardized across farms, the forage maturity stage, heavily dictated by climatic factors, and the precise adjustment of the chopper's length of cut remain the critical practical determinants for maximizing ration energy density and preventing metabolic disorders in high-yielding dairy cows.
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| For citation : |
Lakić, Ž., Đurđić, I., Govedarica, B., Sprečo, D. (2026). Effects of location and agro-ecological conditions on the chemical composition and quality of corn silage on family farms. Agriculture and Forestry, 72 (2): 259-279. https://doi:10.17707/AgricultForest.72.2.17 |
