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A Machine Learning-Based Assessment of Maize Silage Dry Matter Losses by Net-Bags Buried in Farm Bunker Silos

Author

Listed:
  • Severino Segato

    (Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Giorgio Marchesini

    (Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Luisa Magrin

    (Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Barbara Contiero

    (Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Igino Andrighetto

    (Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Serva

    (Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

Abstract

Estimating the dry matter losses (DML) of whole-plant maize (WPM) silage is a priority for sustainable dairy and beef farming. The study aimed to assess this loss of nutrients by using net-bags ( n = 36) filled with freshly chopped WPM forage and buried in bunker silos of 12 Italian dairy farms for an ensiling period of 275 days on average. The proximate composition of harvested WPM was submitted to mixed and polynomial regression models and a machine learning classification tree to estimate its ability to predict the WPM silage losses. Dry matter (DM), silage density, and porosity were also assessed. The WPM harvested at over 345 (g kg −1 ) and a DM density of less than 180 (kg of DM m −3 ) was related to DML values of over 7%. According to the results of the classification tree algorithm, the WPM harvested (g kg −1 DM) at aNDF higher than 373 and water-soluble carbohydrates lower than 104 preserves for the DML of maize silage. It is likely that the combination of these chemical variables determines the optimal maturity stage of WPM at harvest, allowing a biomass density and a fermentative pattern that limits the DML, especially during the ensiling period.

Suggested Citation

  • Severino Segato & Giorgio Marchesini & Luisa Magrin & Barbara Contiero & Igino Andrighetto & Lorenzo Serva, 2022. "A Machine Learning-Based Assessment of Maize Silage Dry Matter Losses by Net-Bags Buried in Farm Bunker Silos," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:785-:d:827883
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Egon Henrique Horst & Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior & Mikael Neumann & Secundino López, 2021. "Effects of the Harvest Stage of Maize Hybrids on the Chemical Composition of Plant Fractions: An Analysis of the Different Types of Silage," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lorenzo Serva & Igino Andrighetto & Severino Segato & Giorgio Marchesini & Maria Chinello & Luisa Magrin, 2023. "Assessment of Maize Silage Quality under Different Pre-Ensiling Conditions," Data, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-8, July.

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