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Silage energy profile – Nutritional quality for cattle diet
Select a silage variety suitable for your cattle diet
The nutritional quality of silage varieties is in the heart of our silage maize breeding program. The energy in the maize silage comes from the starch and the fiber digestibility of stem and leaves. MAS Seeds® has determined 2 different energy types to categorise maize silage varieties, depending on the dominant source of the energy:
- Balanced energy varieties
- Starchy energy varieties
Feed value profile diversity
All MAS Seeds® silage varieties are analyzed for their nutritional quality and the ratio of their fiber and starch energy at harvest between 32 and 35% DM. We then categorize varieties by their energy profile and we recommend them depending on the diet practiced by the cattle farmers.
Source : MAS Seeds® R&D department
Balanced type silage maize hybrids
Balanced type hybrids are the correct choice for dairy farms with more than 70% maize in their feeding program. The energy source is optimally balanced between high cell wall digestibility, medium starch content and whole plant digestibility. This balance of different energy promotes the efficiency of the rumen and secure the diet while limiting the acidosis risk. Silage from balanced energy type varieties can be supplemented with energy concentrates (grain, cereal or concentrate production).
| Practiced diet: | Maize silage dominant |
| Maize ratio in the diet: | More than 70% of the silage fed is maize |
| Recommended maize silage profile: | – Maize varieties with higher fibre digestibility as it is the dominant part in the silage – There is no excess starch – Acidosis risk management is easy as the starch content is balanced |
| Feeding period: | Late autumn – winter |
| Use advices: | This type of silage can be complimented with feed concentrates like grains, cereals or maize corn-cob-mix. |
Starchy type silage maize hybrids
Starchy type hybrids provide quick available energy source. These hybrids are the correct choice for farms with 40-70 % maize in their feeding mixtures or to cover the needs in times of energy deficiency and improve the milk protein content. For dairy cattle feeding the typical ratio should include adequate mix of grass to have enough structure in the forage. It combines excellently with our ALFALFA varieties and FORAGE mixtures. Monitor the addition of other starch source (acidosis risk). For beef cattle or fattening purposes it increases the quick available energy from fodder.
| Practiced diet: | Grass and alfalfa dominant |
| Maize ratio in the diet: | Less than 70% of the silage fed is maize |
| Recommended maize silage profile: | – Need energy concentration to complete the silage nutritional value – Maize variety selected must have quickly available energy – Variety with a high starch content |
| Feeding period: | Spring – summer – early autumn |
| Use advices: | This type of silage combines excellently with our ALFALFA varieties and MAS4 NUTRI forage mixtures. You should limit adding additional source of starch to avoid acidosis risk. |
More about silage maize management
Discover NUTRIPLUS® Services
NUTRIPLUS® SAT
Satellite image technology combined with our agronomic knowledge is our NUTRIPLUS® SAT service to observe and anticipate the percentage of dry matter evolution of your field and optimise harvest date.
NUTRIPLUS® Harvest
In-field plant analysis with NUTRIPLUS® Harvest service is conducted by a MAS Seeds® expert to forecast the best harvest window for your silage maize field. The analysis is done directly on your maize plant with infrared technology.
NUTRIPLUS® Observatory
Regional report with NUTRIPLUS® Observatory is provided by distributors to inform their local farmers about the regional harvest date forecast based on estimated dry matter content in the silage maize fields.
NUTRIPLUS® Silo
Silo analysis with NUTRIPLUS® Silo conducted by a MAS Seeds® expert directly at your farm after opening your silo. An expert identifies losses using our application and gives recommendations about how to improve your silo in the next season.
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Discover a full range of maize portfolio for all uses grain, silage or biogas, for organic agriculture, for temperate or tropical regions.
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Our local teams visit farms and distributors on-site to give you the best advice for your location. Find your local MAS Seeds® consultant by visiting a country website or fill out our contact form here.