This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of microbially inoculated alfafa silage on total digestibility in wethers. Twelve wethers were randomly assigned to two treatments: alfalfa haylage (35.7% DM and 19.6% CP, on average) control or microbially inoculated with Silobac product (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus). The experimental period extended for twenty-one days, the last five used for feces and urine collection. The inoculation increased total digestibility of DM (inoculated = 62.5% vs. control = 59.5%), NFE (70.9% vs. 65.7%), NDF (53.8% vs. 48.8%), ADF (52.5% vs. 44.7%), starch (84.0% vs. 80.2%), TDN (59.5% vs. 56.7%) and DM intake (2.82 vs. 2.48% of BW), but it did not influence total digestibility of CP (73.9% vs. 73.2%), EE (50.7% vs. 54.3%), CF (47.1% vs. 43.9%) or N retention (3.27 vs. 2.86 g of N/animal/day).
digestion; ensiling; lactic acid bacteria; Medicago sativa; sheep
