Effect of Dry Matter Levels of Alfalfa Silage on Intake and Metabolism in the Ruminant

ONE of the major problems in the utilization of ensiled plant material, as a feed for ruminant animals, is that voluntary dry matter consumption is reduced as compared to companion forage preserved in another manner (Hillman, 1959; Gordon et al., 1960). Furthermore, daily dry matter intake is positively associated with silage dry matter over a wide range of silage dry matter contents (Gordon et al., 1961; Gorden et al., 1965; Ward et al., 1966). The results of Thomas et al. (1961) suggest that the dry matter content of the forage when ensiled and the resulting fomentation process are important factors in determining the rate of consumption of silage. However, the factors responsible for the depression in voluntary dry matter intake by the ruminant being fed a high silage ration are not well denned.