Most beef farms, every kilogram of gain matters. Feed costs continue to rise, and margins remain under pressure. Yet one of the biggest opportunities to improve efficiency often sits quietly in the silo/bunker, the silage.

While most beef farmers make high volumes of corn or grass silage, many underestimate how much nutrition is lost between harvest and feed-out—and what that means for daily liveweight gain (DLWG), feed efficiency/Feed Conversion ration, and overall profitability.

According to Luis Queiros, Category Manager for MAGNIVA at Lallemand Animal Nutrition, improving silage quality is now one of the quickest and lowest ways to boost performance on beef farms.

Silage Quality: The Underused Lever in Beef Production

Beef farmers excel at finishing cattle—but the conversation around forage quality has traditionally been more prominent in dairy. That gap now costs beef producers real money. “Beef farmers work incredibly hard to grow good crops—but too often, they lose a surprising amount of that feed before a single animal even eats it,” says Queiros. “Those losses have a direct impact on finishing time, daily gains, and the cost of every kilogram of beef produced.”

Understanding Dry Matter (DM) Losses

DM losses occur during respiration, fermentation, storage, and feed‑out. Losses of 10–20% are common. Imagine 1,000 tonnes of fresh silage at 30% DM: that’s 300 tonnes of dry matter. At 15% DM loss, 45 tonnes of dry matter simply disappear. “That’s feed you’ve grown, harvested, and paid for,” explains Queiros. “Better fermentation and aerobic stability protect the energy you’ve invested in.”

What Better Silage Means for Beef Performance

  1. Higher DLWG through more energy retained
  2. Improved feed conversion efficiency (FCE)/FCR. Better forage means cattle convert feed more efficiently and finish faster
  3. More consistent performance across the herd through better rumen stability

How to Reduce DM Losses

  1. Use a proven silage inoculant like MAGNIVA Platinum 1
  2. Cut at the right maturity and DM
  3. Consolidate and seal quickly
  4. Use a proven silage inoculant like MAGNIVA Platinum 1
  5. Use a proven oxygen barrier cover such as Oxy Block
  6. Maintain a clean, tight clamp face when opened

Silage is the foundation of beef diets. With better preservation, fewer DM losses, and improved stability, beef farmers can unlock performance and reduce reliance on bought‑in feed.

“If you want cattle to grow efficiently, start with the best forage possible,” says Queiros.

For more information of silage management visit Silage in bunkers, trenches or piles