**2. Effect of silage quality on the intake and digestibility of ruminants**

The feeding value of silage is mainly determined by intake and digestibility of silage [5]. The silage quality and availability of nutrients influence animal performance [6].

The intake of silage is generally lower than the intake of fresh forage [1] because the presence of toxic substances produced during the fermentation as amines; also due to the high concen‐ tration of organic acids and decrease in the water soluble carbohydrate content which lower availability of energy for the growth of microorganisms in the rumen [7]. However, we should question the validity of this conclusion [2].

Proper management in the ensilage can result in well‐preserved silage and result in a similar intake of fresh forage. In addition, the use of additive may increase the silage intake values. Balieiro Neto et al. [8] evaluated the intake of sugarcane *in natura* and silage and observed higher values to sugarcane silage intake (0.720 kg/day) than to sugarcane *in natura* intake (0.657 kg/day). The silages were additive with 0.5% of calcium oxide (fresh matter basis).

The fermentative profile and the vegetable species available can influence the silage intake. Due to the fermentative process, many changes occur in chemical characteristics of forage. The organic acid concentration is variable and it is influenced by management of the ensilage process, use of additive and principally by forage characteristics. This variation is recognized and search object of researchers worldwide (**Table 1**).


**Table 1.** Fermentative characteristics of silages.

original crop [2]. Although, correct management of silages and use of additives may stimulate

The forages may have changes in the nutritive value due to the procedures during production, conservation and post‐opening management and biochemical and microbiology phenomena [3]. Besides the conversion of carbohydrates in organic acids occurs by the partial breakdown of proteins, which gives the non‐protein structures. These changes depend on the interaction between microorganisms on the material to be ensiled and amount and type of the substrate [4].

The silage quality affects the intake and digestibility of ruminants. Basically, the main factors that can interfere with the fermentation of the silage is the dry matter (DM) content, water‐ soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration and microorganism populations present in the forage. Forage with low DM and WSC concentrations may show undesirable fermentation and forage with excessive WSC content may generate acidic silages, which reduces silage intake.

Some end‐products of fermentation, such as acetic and butyric acids and ammonia, are associated with the decrease in the intake of silages. Poorly fermented silages have large

Some changes resulting from the ensiling process influence the digestibility of silages. High concentration of ammonia, for example, can interfere in digestibility of the silage, and enter

The objective of this chapter is to explain how end‐products of fermentation of the silage and changes in the structure of forage resulting from the ensiling process can affect the intake and

**2. Effect of silage quality on the intake and digestibility of ruminants**

silage quality and availability of nutrients influence animal performance [6].

The feeding value of silage is mainly determined by intake and digestibility of silage [5]. The

The intake of silage is generally lower than the intake of fresh forage [1] because the presence of toxic substances produced during the fermentation as amines; also due to the high concen‐ tration of organic acids and decrease in the water soluble carbohydrate content which lower availability of energy for the growth of microorganisms in the rumen [7]. However, we should

Proper management in the ensilage can result in well‐preserved silage and result in a similar intake of fresh forage. In addition, the use of additive may increase the silage intake values. Balieiro Neto et al. [8] evaluated the intake of sugarcane *in natura* and silage and observed higher values to sugarcane silage intake (0.720 kg/day) than to sugarcane *in natura* intake (0.657

The fermentative profile and the vegetable species available can influence the silage intake. Due to the fermentative process, many changes occur in chemical characteristics of forage. The

kg/day). The silages were additive with 0.5% of calcium oxide (fresh matter basis).

concentrations of undesirable compounds that explain the low silage intake.

the N recycling cycle and increase the animal energy costs.

digestibility of silages.

question the validity of this conclusion [2].

the intake of silages and improve the digestibility of silages.

102 Advances in Silage Production and Utilization

Restle et al. [9] evaluating the performance of feedlot calves receiving grass silage (*Brachiaria plantaginea*) and corn and sorghum silages, found that corn and sorghum silage promoted higher intake and better performance than the animals fed grass silage. Although the authors justify the higher dry matter intake of animals fed with corn and sorghum silage was due to an increasing difference in weight, which interfere directly in the intake values, the result may have also occurred because the fermentative characteristics and different end‐products of fermentation concentration.
