Satellite Symposium 2: Silage

Description

Key points

  1. Maize silage can be produced and fed to beef and dairy cattle at a similar price to grazed grass.
  2. Including maize silage in the diet increases feed intake and performance of beef and dairy cattle.
  3. The optimum stage of maturity at harvest for increased performance is at a dry matter concentration of approximately 300 g/kg.
  4. Including maize silage in grass silage-based diets has a concentrate sparing effect of up to 5 kg/cow/d.
  5. There is a negative relationship between stage of maturity at harvest and milk fat concentration.
  6. Whole crop wheat can be produced and fed at a similar cost to grass silage.
  7. Including whole crop wheat either fermented, urea- or alkalage-treated in grass silage-based diets increases feed intake but does not alter performance of beef or dairy cattle.

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Ensiled Maize and Whole Crop Wheat Forages for Beef and Dairy Cattle: Effects on Animal Performance

Key points

  1. Maize silage can be produced and fed to beef and dairy cattle at a similar price to grazed grass.
  2. Including maize silage in the diet increases feed intake and performance of beef and dairy cattle.
  3. The optimum stage of maturity at harvest for increased performance is at a dry matter concentration of approximately 300 g/kg.
  4. Including maize silage in grass silage-based diets has a concentrate sparing effect of up to 5 kg/cow/d.
  5. There is a negative relationship between stage of maturity at harvest and milk fat concentration.
  6. Whole crop wheat can be produced and fed at a similar cost to grass silage.
  7. Including whole crop wheat either fermented, urea- or alkalage-treated in grass silage-based diets increases feed intake but does not alter performance of beef or dairy cattle.