Effects of the addition of molasses on the composition and digestibility of field silages

Results are presented for the composition and digestibilities of the constituents of a medium‐protein grass‐clover mixture and of molassed and unmolassed silages derived from it. Determinations of soluble sugar and fructosan values have carried out in addition to the usual estimations, and the possible effects of the reduction of soluble carbohydrate resulting from fermentation during ensilage, on the nutritional value of the silage product, have been discussed. The losses of fresh material, dry matter and nitrogen which have been observed were exceptionally low compared with the losses generally reported for this type of experiment, and, for both types of silage, weights of lactic and lower fatty acids have been found considerably in excess of the equivalent soluble carbohydrate losses. Little difference in quality and feeding value has been observed between molassed and ordinary silage at a crude protein level of 12–13% dry matter and both types of silage compared very favourably with the original grass.