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Full-Text Articles in Plant Pathology

Impact On Energy Budgets In Grassland Production And Conservation Of Possible Production Of Energy From Biomass Crops, R J. Wilkins Jun 2026

Impact On Energy Budgets In Grassland Production And Conservation Of Possible Production Of Energy From Biomass Crops, R J. Wilkins

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is commonly a conflict between output/unit of area of land and output/unit of support-energy (SE) input. The possibil­ity of using a proportion of the total land area for biomass energy production suggests an approach for calculating grassland out­put/ha unconfounded with differences in SE input. Output can be calculated for an area of land that is devoted to grassland and biomass energy crops in proportions that result in a net demand for SE of zero. Outputs of utilized metabolizable energy (UME) are related to inputs of SE for (1) grazed grass with high application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and (2) …


Effect Of Supplements On The Live-Weight Gain Of Beef Cattle Given Forage During The Dry Season, C Thomas, P N. Mbugua Jun 2026

Effect Of Supplements On The Live-Weight Gain Of Beef Cattle Given Forage During The Dry Season, C Thomas, P N. Mbugua

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The low quality of standing pasture grasses in the dry seasons presents a major problem in the intensification of beef produc­tion in the tropics. The objective of this research was to examine the role of maize and grass silage or standing napiergrass (Pen­nisetum purpureum) as sources of forage when given alone or with supplements to beef cattle. In the first of three trials conducted at the National Agricultural Research Station, Kitale, Kenya, 36 Friesian castrates, initially 249 kg live weight (LW), were given silage of whole-crop maize either alone or supplemented with corn-and-cob meal. Each of these two basal diets …


Evaluation Of Forages Ensiled In Concrete Stave And Oxygen-Limiting Silos, J O'Leary, R W. Hemken, L S. Bull Jun 2026

Evaluation Of Forages Ensiled In Concrete Stave And Oxygen-Limiting Silos, J O'Leary, R W. Hemken, L S. Bull

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study evaluated corn silages stored in concrete stave and oxygen-limiting silos during 1978-1980. Factors considered in­cluded the effect of environmental conditions in each silo on silage stability and feeding value. Milk production was evaluated using Holstein cows, intake studies used Holstein heifers or steers. Weekly measurements of intake, milk production, silage temperature, pH, and yeast and mold content were made for each silage. Aerobic stability was determined monthly. Silo type had no effect on intake or milk production. Silage temperatures from the oxygen-limiting silo were higher, and the silage was less stable than that from concrete stave silos. No …


Comparison Of Conservation Methods Under Controlled Practical Conditions, H Honig, K Rohr, E Zimmer Jun 2026

Comparison Of Conservation Methods Under Controlled Practical Conditions, H Honig, K Rohr, E Zimmer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The most common forage conservation methods (direct-cut and low-moisture silage, barn,dried hay, and dehydration) have been compared under practical, but strictly controlled, conditions to determine their relative value for meeting the increasing demands of high-yielding ruminants. A grass mixture was used as forage, at different stages of maturity in different ex­periments. Parameters determined were changes of nutrient content; losses of DM and net energy; and, in three experiments, forage intake by dairy cows. From the results of the experiments, the following conclusions could be drawn: (1) roughage quality is influenced more by cuttng time than by preservation methods; (2) low-moisture …


Effect Of Formic Acid- Formaldehyde Treatments On The Nitrogenous Constituents In Annual Ryegrass Silage, M L. Fishman, F Mchan, D Burdick Jun 2026

Effect Of Formic Acid- Formaldehyde Treatments On The Nitrogenous Constituents In Annual Ryegrass Silage, M L. Fishman, F Mchan, D Burdick

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Prevention of proteolysis during ensiling is important in preserving the nutritive value of silage. Hence, the mechanism by which silage protein is protected against degradation was studied in wilted annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium Lam.) silage pretreated with formic acid, formaldehyde, and a formic acid-formaldehyde mixture. Raw-wilted ryegrass, control ryegrass silage, and treated ryegrass silage were extracted and fractionated under conditions previously found to maximize yield of nitrogenous constituents and minimize proteolysis during the extraction of fresh grass. Extractions were by boric acid-borate buffer at pH 8.0 with and without detergent (1 % sodium dodecyl sulfate). Sodium metabisulfite, an antioxidant, was …


Addition Of Lactobacillus Sp. To Aid The Fermentation Of Alfalfa, Corn, Sorghum, And Wheat Forages, N J. Moon, L O. Ely Jun 2026

Addition Of Lactobacillus Sp. To Aid The Fermentation Of Alfalfa, Corn, Sorghum, And Wheat Forages, N J. Moon, L O. Ely

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

As preservation of forage by ensiling has increased, so has the use of additives to enhance acid fermentation. Many of the fermentation aids currently on the market contain microflora to insure a lactic acid fermentation. The objectives of this study were to characterize the basic patterns of fermentation in a variety of crops and to evaluate the effects of adding selected microflora to forages to enhance the fermentation. Four crops were ensiled in each of three seasons. Alfalfa was harvested at 20 %-40 % bloom, second cut; wheat was cut in the early dough stage; corn was cut in the …


Effect Of Delayed Sealing During Ensiling On Fermentation And Dry-Matter Loss, N Takano, Y Masaoka, T Manda Jun 2026

Effect Of Delayed Sealing During Ensiling On Fermentation And Dry-Matter Loss, N Takano, Y Masaoka, T Manda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two experiments were carried out from 1976 to 1980 to ascertain the effect of delayed sealing of silo on fermentation, dry· matter (DM) loss, digestibility, and silage intake. The effect of delayed sealing (up to 72 hours) of grass and corn silage was tested in laboratory silos on fermentation quality with storage temperatures at 15°C and 30°C, moisture content from 49% to 85 % , water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content ranging from 11.1 % to 17.5%, and with and without an addition of 0.25% formic acid. In all cases, delayed sealing resulted in poor-quality silage with high pH values and low …


Relationship Between Silage Quality And 15 N-Nitrate Reduction During Ensilage, K Ataku, M Horiguchi, T Matsumoto Jun 2026

Relationship Between Silage Quality And 15 N-Nitrate Reduction During Ensilage, K Ataku, M Horiguchi, T Matsumoto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nitrate in forage has been proven to occasionally poison ruminants. Our recent studies, however, have shown that a high con­centration of nitrate inhibits butyric acid fermentation to the advantage of the silage quality. This work was undertaken to see the relationship between silage quality and the pattern of nitrate reduction during ensilage.


The Effect Of Row Width And Intrarow Spacing On The Productivity And Nutritional Quality Of Silage Corn, Y Kishida, S Uchida Oct 2025

The Effect Of Row Width And Intrarow Spacing On The Productivity And Nutritional Quality Of Silage Corn, Y Kishida, S Uchida

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of planting density on silage corn production and silage quality. Dent corn cv. Pioneer 3424 was planted at different or the same densities by changing row width or intrarow spacing or the both. The dry matter yield and silage quality were determined at different stages of ripening and the results are summarized as follows: When intrarow spacing was changed (under different intrarow spacings), the rate of increase of dry matter per plant was high at the low and intermediate planting densities and the dry matter yield per 10 are was high at …


Effects Of The Association Corn-Soybean On Dry Matter Production And Nutritional Silage Value, R Garcia, A R. Evangelista, J D. Galvao Oct 2025

Effects Of The Association Corn-Soybean On Dry Matter Production And Nutritional Silage Value, R Garcia, A R. Evangelista, J D. Galvao

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments were conducted to study the influence of corn-soybeans plant population in five cropping systems (four com-soybean associations and single corn) on the dry matter production and nutritional silage value. Variation in corn plant populations did not influenced green matter production, however, dry matter production increased as population increase. The cropping systems influenced both green and dry matter production. Plant population influenced on the nutritional silage value. The protein content and dry matter digestibility was higher for 30 thousand plants of corn per hectare. Two rows of corn to four of soybean resulted in superior protein content. The association com-soybean …


Effect Of Cellulase Preparation On Fermentation Of Silage, E No, Y Harasawa, A Ataku, N Narasaki, T Sueyoshi Jul 2025

Effect Of Cellulase Preparation On Fermentation Of Silage, E No, Y Harasawa, A Ataku, N Narasaki, T Sueyoshi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of cellulase preparation (Meicelase) on silage fermentation were studied using the first cutting alfalfa and timothy. In one-liter laboratory silos with Meicelase of 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0:8% of the fresh grasses, the fermentative quality was examined throughout a 30 day ensilage period. The amount of the lactic acid in the silage with the Meicelase was considerably greater than the control silage with no additive. In addition, the pH of that silage was low and the content of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) was high. However, the differences in the amount of Meicelase applied had no effects in the …


Effect Of Lactic Acid Bacteria On Silage Fermentation, Ph Hellings, G Bertin, M Vanbelle Jul 2025

Effect Of Lactic Acid Bacteria On Silage Fermentation, Ph Hellings, G Bertin, M Vanbelle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Inoculants were tested to determine their suitability for use as silage aids. Studies carried out in laboratory indicated (1) that the minimum inoculum should be at least 105 viable organisms per gram of fresh fodder and (2) of all bacterial strains tested, only the Lactobacillus and, specifically, L. casei improved storage characteristics. But the efficiency of an inoculant was subordinated to the fermentable sugars content of the crops. In this respect, alfalfa and second cut grass had the lowest potential for ensilage. Energy was supplied as a mixture of milled barley and amylolytic complex. The influence of a 1: 1: …


Alkali Treatment Of Rice Whole Crop Silage, T Tobino, N Mikami, A Yamazaki, R Kobayashi, K Furugouri Jul 2025

Alkali Treatment Of Rice Whole Crop Silage, T Tobino, N Mikami, A Yamazaki, R Kobayashi, K Furugouri

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Application of Na OH for rice whole crop at the time of ensiling increased digestibility, intake and body weight gain of Holstein steers. As rice whole crop silage is inclined to cause secondary fermentation, when the moisture content is not sufficient, water addition to the filling material is necessary. The suitable application level of NaOH is 3 to 4% of silage dry matter and it can be applied successfully using 20 to 30% solution. The rate of notreacted Na in the NaOH applied silages was 20 to 40% and it changed wholly to the form of Na2CO3 -Na. The greater …


A Technique To Study The Relative Merits Of Different Silage Additves, A D. Drysdale, D A. Parker Jul 2025

A Technique To Study The Relative Merits Of Different Silage Additves, A D. Drysdale, D A. Parker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Expansion in the use of silage additives in the more difficult silage-making areas of Europe has created the need for a simple laboratory method to assess the relative values of the wide range of products now offered. A technique is described which can be used to study potential new additives and to monitor existing products. Using direct-cut lucerne(Medicago sativa) ensiled quickly it is possible to produce a high pH, poorly fermented, untreated silage and against this the relative effects of different additive treatments can be assessed. In an example discussed, lucerne of 14% dry matter (DM) and buffering capacity 44m-equiv …


Control Of Silage Fermentation By Inoculation With Lactobacillus Casei, K Ataku, H Nakamura, N Narasaji, M Kikuchi Jul 2025

Control Of Silage Fermentation By Inoculation With Lactobacillus Casei, K Ataku, H Nakamura, N Narasaji, M Kikuchi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The D( -) isomer of lactic acid is largely produced by silage fermentation. Accordingly, this study focused on Lactobacillus casei (LC) in which produces L( +) lactic acid. The influences of the inoculation of LC and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on the quality of silage and on the isomer ratio of the lactic acid were examined with and without 2% glucose addition at two ensilage temperature (20°C and 30°C). Orchardgrass and alfalfa were ensiled in laboratory silos, capacity one-liter. When either LP and LC was added, a large quantity of lactic acid was produced, the pH dropped sharply, and the quality …


Effect Of A Lactobacillus Inoculant On Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Of Grass Silage, G Pahlow, E Zimmer Jul 2025

Effect Of A Lactobacillus Inoculant On Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Of Grass Silage, G Pahlow, E Zimmer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of the experiment was to optimize the fermentation process and to improve the aerobic stability of silage by the use of a bacterial additive. Prewilted grass was ensiled with and without the inoculant in laboratory silos. These were perfused with different amounts of oxygen to simulate suboptimum 5 ensiling technology. The spray inoculation of a Lactobacillus culture with 10 colony forming units (cfu) per g of the crop enabled the

homofermentative starter to dominate the indigenous flora even in the air treated silages. The lactic acid production was markedly increased and pH-value, gas losses and protein decomposition were …


Comparison Of Nitrogen Utilization From Wilted And Direct-Cut Silages By Growing Sheep, Elisabeth Grenet, C Demarquilly, C Beranger, D Micol Jul 2025

Comparison Of Nitrogen Utilization From Wilted And Direct-Cut Silages By Growing Sheep, Elisabeth Grenet, C Demarquilly, C Beranger, D Micol

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of wilting on the conservation quality, intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of silages was studied. 32 silages made from 10 fresh crops were fed to growing sheep. For each crop a direct-cut silage without additive, a direct-cut silage with formic acid and a wilted silage were prepared. Conservation of wilted silages was not as good as that of direct-cut silages with formic acid but was better than that of silages without additive. However, both intake and protein digestibility of wilted silages were the lowest of the three types. The nitrogen balance was also lower with wilted silages than …


Evaluation Of Grain Sorghum As A Silage Crop, R L. Smith, K K. Bolsen Jul 2025

Evaluation Of Grain Sorghum As A Silage Crop, R L. Smith, K K. Bolsen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Three experiments were conducted to determine the nutritive value and yield potential of grain sorghum cultivars harvested as whole-plant silage. A commercial yellow endosperm grain sorghum was harvested at late-dough and hard-grain stages of maturity. Each silage was fed unprocessed and processed through a roller mill to steers in growth and digestion trials. A yield study compared five cultivars of grain sorghum and one forage sorghum, each harvested at three stages of matuirity (milk to early dough, late-dough, and hard-grain). Processing the silages significantly improved steer gains and feed efficiencies. There was a nonsignificant increase in silage DM digestibility due …


L'Ensilage En Balles Roundes Sous Film Etirable, F Gaillard Jun 2025

L'Ensilage En Balles Roundes Sous Film Etirable, F Gaillard

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

L'ensilage d'herbe en balles rondes est connu depuis de nom­breuses annees (Gaillard, 1981) et a donne lieu a des experimen­tations CEMAGREF/INRA (Andrieu et al., 1981; Dulphy et al., 1984). Les enrubanneuses relancent l'interet de cet ensilage par !es pertes limitees qu'elles entrainent (Gaillard et Zwaene­poel, 1987). Les enrubanneuses realisent un emballage integral des balles rondes a partir d'un film etirable de 50 cm de large. Devant la multiplication de ces appareils en Europe du nord et leur venue probable en France, ii est apparu necessaire d'eva­luer l'interet de cette technique.


Direct And Delayed Sealing Of Round Bales Of Lucerne At Low Degrees Of Wilting, A Ciotti, A Canale, M E. Valente, P G. Peiretti Jun 2025

Direct And Delayed Sealing Of Round Bales Of Lucerne At Low Degrees Of Wilting, A Ciotti, A Canale, M E. Valente, P G. Peiretti

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the process of ensiling round bales, delayed sealing leads to a greater degree of aeration, oxidation of sugars, and heating. To check the effects of delayed sealing on the quality of con­servation, a trial was set up on bales wrapped either one or 24 hours after harvesting, these times being considered the reason­able limits in practice. Lucerne, at a moderate level of wilting, was used to operate under limiting conditions for successful ensiling.


Aspects Of Reseeding Old Permanent Pasture, N Culleton Jun 2025

Aspects Of Reseeding Old Permanent Pasture, N Culleton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grassland occupies some 89 % of the arable land in Ireland (anon., 1984) and of this approximately only 3 % is reseeded annually. Many permanent pastures have poor botanical com­position. Frame and Tiley (1988) pointed out that quantity and quality of secondary grass species are inferior to Lolium perenne. Nonetheless, there is evidence that permanent pastures have high animal production potential and that the large responses to reseeding in the first harvest year are rapidly lost (Wilkins et al., 1987). This paper compares new and old pastures under grazing and silage regimes.


Integrating Forage Maize With Pasture Legumes For Efficient Dairy Production In South Eastern Australia, K E. Pritchard, W K. Mason, C R. Stockdale, J B. Moran Jun 2025

Integrating Forage Maize With Pasture Legumes For Efficient Dairy Production In South Eastern Australia, K E. Pritchard, W K. Mason, C R. Stockdale, J B. Moran

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In south eastern Australia, the mild climate permits year­round grazing for 1.5 million dairy cows which results in a low production cost for milk. More than 1 million hectares of annual and perennial pastures are irrigated to supplement rain­fall of 300-500 mm/ annum, for dairy, beef and sheep pro­duction. Animal production from the present system of grazing pasture is limited by the inefficient conversion of solar radiation achieved by temperate pasture species ; seasonal variation in quantity and quality of pasture forage ; by poor utilization of pasture ; and by the low quality of grass-dominant pasture. The Kyabram Research …


Utilization Of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Fodder And Silage In Ruminants, P C. Gupta, M A. Akbar Jan 2025

Utilization Of Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Fodder And Silage In Ruminants, P C. Gupta, M A. Akbar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two feeding experiments were conducted to find out the nutritive value of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) green fodder and silage, In the first experiment, mixtures of faba bean and oat (Avena sativa) green fodders in proportions of 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1, respectively, were fed to lambs randomly divided in to 3 groups of 6 each for 50 days, The DM intake of lambs, change in their body weights and digestibility co-efficients of various nutrients did not differ (P>0.05) among the 3 groups. However, the values of DCP in different rations varied significantly (P<0.05) but not that of TDN. In the second experiment, pure faba bean was ensiled for 50 days and offered to sheep, which maintained their body weights. It was concluded that effective utilisation of green faba bean in sheep could be achieved either by ensiling or by mixing it with other forages like oat. Feeding of faba bean and oat mixture al 2:1 ratio gave optimum growth in lambs,


Trends In Intensive Temperate Grassland Systems, J D. Leaver, F Weissbach Oct 2024

Trends In Intensive Temperate Grassland Systems, J D. Leaver, F Weissbach

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Intensification of grassland in temperate zones has been successful in substantially increasing output of animal products per unit area of land. This trend is unlikely to continue, however, where intensification has been supported by large subsidies, as in EC countries. The high costs of both subsidising the production systems and the export of surplus products is not sustainable. The distortion in world trade caused by such policies combined with concerns over the environmental implications of intensification has already led to CAP reforms in Europe to de-intensify ruminant. livestock systems. Liberalisation of world trade through GA TT could lend to further …


Studies On Disappearance Of Nitrate In Forage Crops During Ensilage, T Masuko Oct 2024

Studies On Disappearance Of Nitrate In Forage Crops During Ensilage, T Masuko

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) containing large amounts of nitrate was ensiled in the laboratory silo in 5 experiments. Variations in (1) Exp l; additives (CaCO3, glucose and urea), (2) Exp 2; heavy or light consolidation, (3) Exp 3; length of chop (10 or 50 mm), (4) Exp 4; moisture level of material (86.9, 77. land 51.5%) and (5)Exp5; ensilage temperature (15, 28 and 35°C), were investigated. In Exp I, the silages with CaCO3 + glucose and glucose alone added at ensiling were good quality and the rate of nitrate disappearance wns 40.7% and 22.6% respectively. In Exp 2, …


Factors Required To Sustain Pastoral Farming Systems And Forage Supply In Winter Cold Zones, H T. Kunelius, D A. Kim, H Hirota, T Zhu Aug 2024

Factors Required To Sustain Pastoral Farming Systems And Forage Supply In Winter Cold Zones, H T. Kunelius, D A. Kim, H Hirota, T Zhu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage grasses and legumes are a main component of livestock diets in winter cold zones, There are over 130 million ha of grassland in this zone and there is a large, undeveloped land base in fringe areas suitable for forage production. Regulations on land ownership and use hamper efficient development of forage-based farming systems in some regions. The short growing season Ii mils the grassland farming in the winter cold zones. The winter season is long and cold temperatures, freezing and thawing, and diseases' exert severe stress on overwintering forage plants. The development of persistent cultivars is essential for sustained …


Fermentation Aid For Alfalfa Silage, Terry L. Mader Aug 2024

Fermentation Aid For Alfalfa Silage, Terry L. Mader

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In two trials, fermentation characteristics and feeding value of untreated ensiled alfalfa (control) were compared with ensiled alfalfa inoculated (treated) with either a dry (Trial I) or liquid (Trial 2) microbial additive (fermentation nid), containing homofermenlative lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB), Initial (I to 3 days post-ensiling) pH values were lower (P<0.05) for treated silage in Trial 2 only. Also, inoculated silage had lower (P<0.05) ethanol values. At the high level of silage feeding efficiency of feed conversion tended to be improved for steers fed a high level of inoculated silage although, improved fermentation characteristics were not.observed in inoculated silage fed during the feeding trials. Indigenous LAB, associated with the alfalfa, most likely influenced final fermentation.


Comparison Of Digestibility Of Sorghum Silage By Sheep And By Heifers With Special Reference To The Hemicellulose Monosaccharides, Osamu Kawamura, Shigeyuki Tanaka, Takashi Miaki, Kazuo Shinkai Aug 2024

Comparison Of Digestibility Of Sorghum Silage By Sheep And By Heifers With Special Reference To The Hemicellulose Monosaccharides, Osamu Kawamura, Shigeyuki Tanaka, Takashi Miaki, Kazuo Shinkai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) and corn are the most popular summer forages in south-west Japan. In this experiment, the digestibilities of sorghum silage were determined by adult sheep and by heifers. The digestibilities of all proximate components by heifers were higher than by sheep, Non-structural carbohydrates were almost completely digested by sheep, in contrast to heifers which excreted a portion of the grain undigested. Neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin digestibilities for heifers were higher than those for sheep. Heifers digested each hemicellulose monosaccharide better than sheep, Sheep and heifers differed by the largest extent …


Protein Rather Than Energy Is The Limiting Nutrient For Lactating Cows Fed Large Amounts Of High Quality, T R. Dhiman, L D. Satter Aug 2024

Protein Rather Than Energy Is The Limiting Nutrient For Lactating Cows Fed Large Amounts Of High Quality, T R. Dhiman, L D. Satter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two studies were conducted to determine whether protein or energy is first limiting for milk production when cows are fed diets containing large amounts of high quality forage. In the first study, infusion of 1.2 kg/day of soy-protein into the abomasum of cows consuming a diet of all lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) silage increased milk and milk protein production by 13 and 1996. Abomasal infusion of l.0 kg glucose was without effect. In the second study, supplementation of dietary protein resistant to degradation in the rumen to cows fed diets containing 7596 of lucerne silage increased milk production …


Recent Developments In The Use Of Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy For The Evaluation Of Grass Silage, N W. Offer, D S. Percival, C Thomas Jun 2024

Recent Developments In The Use Of Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy For The Evaluation Of Grass Silage, N W. Offer, D S. Percival, C Thomas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This work assessed the potential of near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the voluntary intake and fermentation characteristics of grass silage. NIRS spectra were obtained from dried milled (Dry) or fresh samples by two methods (Wet1 - vertical transport mechanism and Wet2 - rotating cup drawer). Prediction errors (SECV as a percentage of mean values) were 5.5, 6.5 and 2.5 for Dry, Wet1 and Wet2 respectively for intake by dairy cows (n=28). Corresponding values were 10.3, 16.1 and 10.9 for lambs (n=88). The Wet2 method gave more accurate predictions than Wet1 except for predictions of ADF and unfermentable metabolisable energy …