Government of New Brunswick

Typical Nutrient Levels In New Brunswick Forages


(100% dry matter basis)
  Not considered quality parameters
 

Protein
%

ADF
%

NDF
%

NE
Mcal/kg

NEm
Mcal/kg

NEg
Mcal/kg

TDN
%

Ca %

P
%

Mg %

K
%

 

GRASS

Typical

Excellent

 

12

15

 

38

33

 

66

58

 

1.24

1.40

 

1.15

1.38

 

0.60

0.80

 

55

62

 

0.5

-

 

0.2

-

 

0.2

-

 

2.0

-

LEGUME

Typical

Excellent

 

17

20

 

36

30

 

48

40

 

1.30

1.44

 

1.23

1.43

 

0.66

0.84

 

58

63

 

1.1

-

 

0.3

-

 

0.25

-

 

2.8

-

CORN SILAGE

Typical

Excellent

 

9

9

 

28

25

 

51

46

 

1.49

1.57

 

1.50

1.60

 

0.90

1.00

 

66

68

 

0.27

-

 

0.25

-

 

0.25

-

 

1.3

-
Dry Matter Guidelines For Hay Crop Silages
Dry Matter Level Comments
less than 28% Too wet for a good fermentation. Expect poor intakes and animal performance. Seepage and freezing will be problems, especially in tower silos.
28-35% A good dry matter level for fermentation and ease of packing. Seepage may be a problem in large tower silos. Freezing may be a problem at lower end of dry matter range.
35-45% Ideal for fermentation and handling with most silage systems. Lower end of this range is recommended for bunker silos.
45-50% Packing will be more difficult in this dry matter range. Silage this dry will keep in well sealed systems. Fermentation will be restricted.
Over 50% Danger of heating and mould growth is increased when forage is this dry. Fermentation will be very limited and packing difficult.
Loss in Forage Feed Value During The Growing Season
  FORAGE Decline in Protein Content Percentage Units/Day Decline in Digestibility, Percentage Units/Day
Timothy 0.23 0.57
Orchard Grass 0.23 0.70
Red Clover 0.19 0.38
Alfalfa 0.10 0.30