Evaluation of fermentation and aerobic stability of wet brewers' grains ensiled alone or in combination with various feeds as a total mixed ration

Wet brewer's grains (BG; 200 g kg^-1 dry matter(DM)) were ensiled alone or in combination with various dry feeds as a total mixed ration (TMR; 540 g kg^-1 DM) in laboratory silos. Ensilage was stopped at 40 days (experiment 1) or at 5, 20, 40 and 60 days (experiment 2) after storage. The composition of soluble sugars and the profiles of fermentation products were determined. The 60 day silages were subjected to aerobic deterioration and changes in silage temperature were recorded for 7 days. A rapid pH fall coupled with accelerated lactic acid production was observed in BG silage; soluble sugars, mainly composed of maltose and raffinose, completely disappeared within 5 days of ensiling. Prolonged storage, however, decreased lactic acid concentration and increased acetic acid greatly. Appreciable amounts of propionic acid and 1-propanol were also produced in BG silage in the late stages of fermentation. When TMR silage was made, the decline in pH and the increase in lactic acid were delayed due to the low moisture content. Acetic acid production was enhanced from the beginning of storage, and mannitol accumulated in TMR silage. Yeast numbers were lower in TMR than in BG silage, but the changes were limited in the late stages of fermentation. When exposed to air, the temperature of BG silage increased after 3 days, whereas that of TMR silage appeared stable during the 7 days test. The results indicate that BG is a suitable by-product for ensiling and, when ensiled with various feeds as a TMR, improved stability against aerobic deterioration can be expected.