Production and utilization of ensiled forages by beef cattle, dairy cows, pregnant ewes and finishing lambs - A review

Abstract

This paper reviews the production of, and factors affecting the performance of dairy cows, beef cattle and sheep offered silage based diets in Ireland and UK. Digestibility is the most important factor influencing the feed value of grass silage and consequently animal performance. Each 10 g kg-1 increase in digestive organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) increases milk yield of dairy cows by 0.33 kg d-1, carcass gain of beef cattle by 23.8 g d-1 , carcass gain of finishing lambs by 9.3 g d-1, lamb birth weight by 52.3 g and ewe weight post lambing by 1.3 kg, respectively. Factors influencing feed value of grass silage are discussed including harvest date, wilting, fertilizer management, chop length and use of additives at ensiling. Maize silage increases the performance of cattle and sheep whilst whole crop wheat silage has no beneficial effect. Advances in silage technology, has enabled the ensiling high protein forages, such as red clover, lucerne and kale.

Effects of grass silage feed value on feed intake and performance of pregnant and lactating ewes and their lambs

“…This is not surprising, as the energy concentration of ewe's milk is twice as high as the ME content of the concentrate fed to the lambs (Internet Archive, ). The strong positive relationship between MEI of lactating ewes and daily LWG of the suckling lambs ( R 2 = 0·65) is in agreement with earlier studies of lactating ewes and lambs until weaning (Eknaes et al ., ; Bernes and Stengärde, ; Keady et al ., ), even though the production level and magnitude of differences are larger in the present study than in previous studies. The higher production level in the HFV treatment shortens the production period, i.e.…”

“…Increased grass digestibility at harvest increases forage intake and performance (Keady et al ., ) and decreases dietary sorting by ruminants (Bernes et al ., ). In northern Europe, where it is possible to produce highly digestible grass silages, large proportions of forages can be included in the diets of ruminants without limiting feed intake and animal performance (Eknaes et al ., ; Helander et al ., ).…”

Silages containing bioactive forage legumes: a promising protein‐rich feed source for growing lambs

“…As shown by Broderick et al . () with lactating cows, this can lead to an improvement in efficiency of forage‐nitrogen use by ruminants, which is of great interest considering their broadly recognized low efficiency to convert nutrients into liveweight gain (Keady et al ., ).…”

The profitability of harvesting grass silages at early maturity stages: An analysis of dairy farming systems in Norway

“…Feeding early harvested, well preserved silage, high in digestibility and nutrients, can increase milk production of dairy cows and growth rates of beef cattle (Keady et al, 2013). Less concentrates may then be required to produce a given output of milk, and bulls can be finished faster.…”