%0 Journal Article %A M. Behgar, %A M. Danesh Mesgaran, %A H. Nasiri Moghadam, %A S. Sobhani Rad, %T Chemical Composition, Dry Matter and Crude Protein Degradability of Alfalfa Silage Treated With Formic and Sulphuric Acids and its Effect on performance of Early Lactating Holstein Cows %J Journal of Crop Production and Processing %V 11 %N 40 %U http://jcpp.iut.ac.ir/article-1-709-en.html %R %D 2007 %K Fresh cows, Alfalfa silage, Formic acid, Sulphuric acid., %X This study was conducted to investigate the effect of formic and sulphuric acids on chemical composition, dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of alfalfa silage and its effect on early lactating Holstein cow as three trials. In the first trial, chopped alfalfa (22 and 33% DM) was ensiled with three levels of formic acid (0.0, 15 and 20 ml/kg DM) and two levels of sulphuric acid (0 and 4 ml/kg DM). In the second trial, DM and CP degradability coefficients of silages (Treatment 1: without acid Treatment 2: 15 ml formic acid + 4 ml sulphuric acid per kg DM) and alfalfa hay (Treatment 3) were determined using nylon bag technique in two cannulated steers. In the third trial, silages (treatments 1 and 2) were replaced with 50% of alfalfa hay in the early lactation Holstein cow diet (11 cows, 19 ± 8 days in milk). Diets were fed for 49 days. Dry matter intake, milk production and milk composition were evaluated. Blood metabolites were determined in weeks 4 and 6. Effect of wilting on pH was significant (p %> http://jcpp.iut.ac.ir/article-1-709-en.pdf %P 339-350 %& 339 %! %9 Research %L A-10-2-709 %+ %G eng %@ 2251-8517 %[ 2007