Management and Assessment of Ensiled Forages and High-Moisture Grain

Various forage and grain crops are grown, harvested, and fed to dairy cattle as ensiled forages or high-moisture grains. Although the nutritional value of hybrids and varieties is influenced by genetic inheritability, the crop growing environment dictates the outcome of forage quality, affecting nutrient digestibility. How the crop is managed based on its stage of harvest maturity and dry matter, along with key ensiling management factors, also determine the nutritional quality of fermented forages and grains. Veterinary practitioners can implement silage quality evaluations as part of a nutritional consultation service to help dairy clients maximize dairy performance and efficiencies.