The evaluation of nutrient compositions of alfalfa hay and corn silage used in dairy farms in Marmara Region, Türkiye

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the nutritional variations of alfalfa hays and corn silages used in dairy farms in Marmara Region, Türkiye. In addition, the present study was conducted to evaluate relative feed value (RFV) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) levels of these forages. Twenty diverse alfalfa hay and twenty-six diverse corn silage samples were taken from dairy farms (n=17) with a minimum 50 lactating cows in Marmara Region throughout 12 months. The highest variations in nutrient composition for alfalfa hay samples were found for NDF and ADF levels and the highest variations in respect to nutrient content of corn silage samples were observed for starch, NDF and ADF values. Correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and crude protein were significant for alfalfa hay (P<0.001). Correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and starch content were significant for corn silage (P<0.001). RFV calculation can be used as an indicator for evaluating quality of alfalfa hay according to our results of the correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and crude protein content. In addition, RFV for corn silage can be considered in respect to the evaluation of quality because of the significant correlations between RFV and TDN equations and RFV and starch content. The results obtained from our study will contribute to the database of nutrient compositions of alfalfa hay and corn silage.