Determination of the effects of wheat bran addition on silage quality characteristics n some cereal forages

This study was conducted to determine the effects of wheat bran supplementation at different levels on the silage quality and fermentation characteristics of cool-season cereals, namely wheat, barley, hooded barley and triticale, under the semi-arid conditions of Şanlıurfa-Koruklu during the 2023–2025 growing seasons. In order to investigate the forage yields of the cereal species, plant height, green forage yield, and dry forage yield were measured; and the experiment was established in a randomized complete block design with three replications. For the evaluation of silage quality characteristics, pH, dry matter content, crude protein, crude ash, ADF and NDF contents, digestible dry matter, dry matter intake, relative feed value, Fleig point, lactic acid and the contents of acetic, propionic and butyric acids were analyzed. At this stage, a split-plot design was used in which cereal species were assigned to main plots and wheat bran levels (0%, 2.5% and 5%) to subplots. The results revealed significant differences among cereal species in terms of forage yield components. Triticale exhibited the highest plant height, green herbage yield and dry matter yield, while wheat recorded the lowest values. Wheat bran supplementation had a markedly positive influence on silage quality parameters. The addition of bran reduced silage pH and increased dry matter, crude protein and digestible dry matter contents. ADF and NDF values decreased with increasing bran levels, resulting in improved feed intake potential and higher Fleig scores. Furthermore, bran supplementation enhanced lactic acid production while reducing undesirable acetic, propionic and butyric acid concentrations, indicating a more efficient and hygienic fermentation process. Overall, the 5% wheat bran level yielded the most favorable silage quality, particularly in barley and hooded barley silages. Triticale also showed strong performance due to its high yield potential and positive response to bran supplementation. These findings demonstrate that wheat bran is an effective silage additive for cool-season cereals and holds considerable promise for supporting high-quality and sustainable roughage production in semi-arid regions.