Abstract
In recent years there has been an improvement in the genetic potential of dairy cattle through intensive breeding programs and of beef cattle through a shift from native beef breeds to Continental breeds. These potential improvements can only be realised if increased intakes can be achieved. If conserved forages are to meet these higher nutrient requirements then the intake of conserved forages should be maximised. Two potential methods by which silage intake can be increased are by increasing silage digestibility through more frequent harvesting of grass (Gordon, 1989) or by restricting fermentation of the resulting silage (Doherty and Mayne, 1996). The objective of the current study was to examine the relative effects of digestibility and restricting fermentation on the intake of silage with the aim of establishing the optimum approach to achieving higher nutrient intakes from ensiled forages.
Published Version
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