Pilot Study on Predictive Traits of Fresh Maize Hybrids for Estimating Milk and Biogas Production

Radko Loučka, Filip Jančík, Petr Homolka, Yvona Tyrolová, Petra Kubelková, Alena Výborná, Veronika Koukolová, Václav Jambor, Jan Nedělník, Jaroslav Lang and Marie Gaislerová
Additional contact information
Radko Loučka: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Filip Jančík: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Petr Homolka: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Yvona Tyrolová: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Petra Kubelková: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Alena Výborná: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Veronika Koukolová: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Václav Jambor: NutriVet Ltd., Vídeňská 1023, 691 23 Pohorelice, Czech Republic
Jan Nedělník: Agricultural Research, Ltd. Troubsko, Zahradní 1, 664 41 Troubsko, Czech Republic
Jaroslav Lang: Agricultural Research, Ltd. Troubsko, Zahradní 1, 664 41 Troubsko, Czech Republic
Marie Gaislerová: Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, 104 00 Prague, Czech Republic

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Farmers need information on which maize hybrid is best and under what conditions. They demand that this information be clear, simple and easily understood. This study aims to estimate the potential for milk production (MPP) and the biochemical methane potential (BMP) production from fresh maize hybrids. Using these indicators from fresh maize, information on the differences between hybrids can be effectively obtained, albeit with some of the shortcomings of this proposed method. Samples of fresh maize plants ( n = 384) from four hybrids were evaluated at two locations over four consecutive years (from 2018 to 2021). The dry matter content, averaged across all hybrids, all years and both locations, was 371 ± 42.3 g.kg −1 . The colder and wetter the year, the significantly higher the starch content, lower the amylase-treated neutral detergent fibre content (aNDF) and lower the crude protein (CP), which was reflected in lower BMP. Weather did not significantly affect the net energy of lactation (NEL) or MPP values. The location significantly affected all monitored indicators, except BMP. The earlier the hybrid was at harvest time, the lower the NEL and MPP but the higher BMP contents were. This study is preliminary and must be repeated with more hybrids and under more different conditions.

Keywords: forage species; ruminant nutrition; digestibility; milk production potential; methane (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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