This study was conducted to determine the effects of whole crop corn ensiled in two different temperatured media on the ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility and feedlot performance in lambs.

The dry matter loss was higher in silage ensiled in sunlight compared with silage ensiled in shade. The same effect was also detected for other nutrients except crude fiber.

Total volatile fatty acid concentrations in the ruminal fluid taken on the 1^st h. post feeding were not found to differ between groups, but were higher in silage group ensiled in shade compared with silage group ensiled in sunlight in the ruminal fluid taken on the 4^th h. post feeding. Fractional volatile fatty acids’ progress was also more harmonious in silage group ensiled in shade in both periods. NH3 concentration in the ruminal fluid taken on the 1^st h. post feeding was higher in silage group ensiled in shade but it was higher in silage group ensilaged in sunlight in the rumen fluid taken on the 4^th h. post feeding (P<0.01).

Average daily feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency during the time of trial were higher in silage group ensiled in shade compared with silage group ensiled in sunlight (P<0.01). The same effect was also determined for carcass analyses (P<0.01).