Fermentation Characteristics and Feeding Value of Enzyme-Treated Alfalfa Haylage

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of cellulase and amylase additions to alfalfa haylage on feed intake, digestion, and milk production. In Experiment 1, 20 heifers were assigned to two groups. The treatment group received alfalfa haylage treated with .95 kg/metric ton of a cellulase preparation. The control group received untreated haylage. Silos were filled over 2 d because of time required to fiI1 each silo. Dry matter losses of haylage harvested on d 2 were 8.4% for untreated haylage to 4.9% for treated haylage. Losses were relatively low and there were no differences due to treatment for wetter haylages made on d 1. Treatment had no effect on average daily gain on DM intake of heifers.