This study aimed to elucidate the effects of ensiling treatment and production site of rice bran (Japan or Indonesia) in total mixed ration (TMR) on their nutrient composition and in vitro rumen fermentation. Two types of fresh TMR containing the same levels of Indonesian or Japanese rice bran (23% of dry matter) were prepared to equalize the crude protein and neutral detergent fiber contents, and sealed in bags to prepare ensiled TMR. Results revealed that the fresh TMR containing Indonesian rice bran had higher (p < 0.05) nonfiber carbohydrate and starch contents but lower (p < 0.05) ether extract (EE) content than those containing Japanese rice bran. Ensiling tended to affect total carbohydrate (p < 0.10) and EE (p < 0.05) contents of TMR. Total gas and methane production, total volatile fatty acid concentration and dry matter degradability were greater (p < 0.05) for TMR containing Indonesian rice bran compared to those containing Japanese rice bran. Ensiling reduced (p < 0.01) total gas production but did not affect methane production. These results indicate that ensiling affects the carbohydrate fraction in TMR and ensiled TMR containing Indonesian rice bran had higher rumen fermentability than those containing Japanese rice bran.
Hisadomi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.