Effects of adding whey and molasses on corn silage quality, growth performance and health of Simmental fattening calves

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding whey and molasses on the physical and chemical quality of corn silage, growth performance and health of Simmental fattening calves. This study was carried out in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 5 replications for each treatment, and a total of 15 Simmental male calves. Three treatments were included in the study: Treatment 1: corn silage without any additive (control treatment), Treatment 2: corn silage with addition of 10% whey on a dry matter basis and Treatment 3: corn silage with addition of 10% molasses on a dry matter basis. The results of this study showed that addition of molasses and whey to corn silage, improves physical and chemical quality of corn silage. Adding whey and molasses decreased pH, Ash, ADF, NDF and increased DM, CP, OM and Flieg point of corn silage. There were no significant differences in body weight, feed intake and FCR among control and other treatment groups (P<0.05). Further results showed that, addition of molasses and whey to corn silage improved fecal score of Simmental male calves.