Although nutritional practices around the world may vary, beef producers everywhere have one thing in common. Roughage intake is key to profitability for fattening cattle. That’s according to Bruno Martin, Ruminants Technical Support Manager with Lallemand Animal Nutrition.
Martin says the most significant nutritional challenge for beef cattle in the period between weaning and finishing is ensuring stable dry matter intake.
“Roughage intake is critical for developing the desired fat content in beef cattle carcasses,” he adds. “Fat content is a quality trait valued in many markets worldwide. High-quality silage can help significantly in achieving this goal by enhancing both the animal’s digestion and their growth performance.”
Quality silage = improved performance
Whether used in small quantities in combination with high concentrates—or as a major component of a total mixed ration—silage can play an essential role in beef cattle diets, and help producers optimize roughage intake.
“Silage is digested through microbial fermentation in the rumen, where microorganisms break down plant material into volatile fatty acids for energy,” Martin reports. “The effectiveness of this process depends on factors like silage quality, maturity, and particle size. Beef cattle can be susceptible to ruminal acidosis if fed too much grain without enough roughage. Quality silage can help to improve the digestive process for fattening cattle, enhance energy availability—and profitability.”
Martin emphasizes that the palatability of silage is critical, as cattle have a highly sensitive “nose.” Poor fermentation, leading to undesirable odors such as those resembling alcohol, can decrease feed intake—affecting growth and energy intake. That’s why ensuring optimal fermentation and palatability is fundamental. Each additional pound or kilogram of dry matter intake translates directly into higher profitability.
“Cattle have a very keen sense of smell,” Martin explains. “So, while poorly fermented silage may smell ok to you, it may not to your cattle. This can cause them to consume less roughage, lowering the energy content of their diet—and having a negative impact on their growth and performance.”
In contrast to the dairy industry, where quality control of silage is closely monitored due to its direct impact on milk production, beef producers might not always perceive the immediate effects of silage quality. However, long-term feeding and its impact on growth rates and cattle health cannot be understated.
“Historically, an emphasis on silage quality has been more common in dairy production, compared with beef production, but times are changing,” Martin says. “With the dairy industry, even minor differences in silage quality can lead to a significant dropoff in milk quality or quantity. For beef, it’s more difficult to see a difference day-to-day, especially if you’re unable to accurately measure dry matter intake, but the long-term impact can be just as damaging.”
Protect your silage investment
Forage quality can’t be improved through the silage-making process—it can only be preserved, or destroyed. Martin advises beef producers to take steps to protect their silage investment, and prevent poor fermentation and spoilage from eating eat into their profits.
Martin notes that producing high-quality silage requires attention to detail at various stages of production, including: packing; covering; sealing; and feedout.
“Cutting height, chop length, and kernel processing decisions are critical to silage yield and quality,” he adds. “Oxygen is the enemy of high-quality silage. Getting the packing density right helps drive air out and speeds up fermentation. Finally, enhance and protect your crop from harvest through feedout with a forage inoculant designed for the specific challenges your crop is facing.”
Successful silage production begins with efficient and clean management practices during ensiling. This includes proper cutting, packing, and covering of silage to promote quick acidification and nutrient preservation. The use of specific inoculants not only aids in preserving silage but also prevents reheating and spoilage, especially during summer.
The aerobic stability of silage is crucial for maintaining good odor and preventing heat stress-related intake decreases. By incorporating specific strains through inoculants, producers can secure better fermentation processes which hinder the growth of harmful molds and microorganisms and lead to dry matter loss, of as much as 20% or more.
Dry matter loss can be costly, reducing the availability of essential nutrients needed for weight gain. Effective silage management prevents such losses from cutting to feeding. Handling only the required amount of feed daily and avoiding unnecessary exposure to oxygen can further minimize these losses.
Martin says that research shows that forage inoculants can help to ensure consistent silage quality across different environments and seasons.
“MAGNIVA Forage Inoculants can help you: achieve an extra gain of as much as 40 kg/day; reduce dry matter losses—giving you more silage to feed; and increase feed efficiency and help your herd achieve its potential,” he says.
Clean silage is better silage
Martin says that one of the challenges to producing clean silage, or silage free of harmful bacteria, such as clostridia or listeria, or mold and yeast. In silage, we don’t see the bacteria. We don’t see the mold. We don’t see the microorganisms, or pathogens. Achieving “clean” status is essential for ensuring optimal nutritional value and animal health.
“It’s like in your refrigerator at home,” he adds. “If you eat fresh food preserved in your refrigerator, you’re more likely to stay healthy. If you have forgotten something inside your fridge, though, be careful.”
Clean silage begins during the ensiling process. Using a challenge-specific, research proven forage inoculant can help producers minimize the impact of bad bacteria and achieve consistent, high-quality silage, field-to-field, cutting-to-cutting, year-after-year. The right inoculant can also help to prevent bad bacteria that can awaken when the silage pile is opened and comes into contact with air.
Future-proof your operation
Prioritizing silage quality and incorporating informed practices can directly benefit beef cattle performance and profitability. By harnessing these strategies, beef producers can optimize roughage intake and align their feeding practices with global, sustainable agricultural goals.
By understanding and implementing effective silage management techniques, beef producers can significantly bolster the quality of their end product and their operational efficiency.
“Future-proof your beef operation—and protect your legacy—with more sustainable silage,” Martin concludes.
