Mixed silage of Melilotus albus and Avena sativa

The fermentation quality and chemical components of the ensiled white sweet clover （Melilotus albus）and oats (Avena sativa)were investigated in this study. The forages was either ensiled solely or ensiled by mixing the sweet clover and oats at the rates of 70∶30, 50∶50 and 30∶70 to determine the optimal mixture between white sweet clover and oats. The results of this study indicated that the pH value, content of ammonia nitrogen, content of dry matter and crude protein content of directly ensiling white sweet clover was significantly higher (P0.05) than that of other four groups. The pH value and content of ammonia nitrogen of directly ensiling oats was significantly lower than that of other four groups (P0.05). There were no differences between directly ensiling oats and mixed silage which had 70% oats in the crude protein content. The content of lactic acid, neutral detergent fiber content and acid detergent fiber content of directly ensiling oats was significantly higher (P0.05) than that of directly ensiling white sweet clover, but there were no differences in mixed silage which had 70% oats. Butyric acid content of directly ensiling white sweet clover was markedly higher than that of the mixed silage which had 70% white sweet clover (P0.05). There was no butyric in other three groups. This study suggested that the directly ensiling oats was better feed, and the effectiveness of the mixed silage which had 70% oats was better. It was similar with the mixed silage which had 50% oats.