Maximizing forage performance to reduce concentrate feed grass silage

Ruminants have a unique ability to convert fibrous feed materials into high quality milk and meat products thanks to the genius evolutionary development the rumen. The rumen harbours fibrolytic microbes that allow utilization of e.g., grass that is not directly human edible. Grass cultivation provides many ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, improved biodiversity, less erosion, capture of nutrients, better soil structure etc. Fibrous forages are natural feeds for ruminants and support the health of their digestive system. Typically grass based feeds are also cheaper than concentrate feeds. All these factors support high use of grass in the diets of ruminants, but it requires production of good quality grass based feeds.