Austria 
Belgium 
Bulgaria 
Denmark 
France 
Germany 
Italy 
Netherlands 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Russia 
Serbia 
Spain 
Turkey 
United Kingdom 
Ukraine 
MAS Seeds Global 
Morocco 
West Africa 
China 
Silage Energy Profiles – Nutritional Value for Cattle Feed
Select a silage variety suitable for your cattle’s diet
The nutritional value of silage varieties is at the heart of our silage maize programme. The energy in silage maize comes from starch and the digestible fibre of stems and leaves. MAS Seeds® has determined two different energy types for categorising silage maize varieties, depending on the dominant source of the energy:
- Balanced energy varieties
- Starchy energy varieties
Feed value profile diversity
All MAS Seeds® silage varieties are analysed for nutritional value and the ratio of fibre and starch energy when harvested at between 32 and 35% DM. We then categorise varieties by their energy profile and recommend them based on the diet practiced by the cattle farmers.
Source: MAS Seeds® R&D department
Balanced silage maize hybrids
Balanced hybrids are the correct choice for dairy farms with more than 70% maize in their feed programme. The energy source is optimally balanced between high cell wall digestibility, medium starch content and whole plant digestibility. This balance of different energies encourages the efficiency of the rumen and secures the diet while limiting the risk of acidosis. Balanced silage varieties can be supplemented with energy concentrates (grains, cereals or concentrates).
| Practiced diet: | Silage maize dominant |
| Maize ratio in the diet: | More than 70% of the silage fed is maize |
| Recommended silage maize profile: | – Maize varieties with higher fibre digestibility as this is the dominant part of the silage – No excess starch – Managing the risk of acidosis is easy as the starch content is balanced |
| Feeding period: | Late autumn to winter |
| Tips for use: | This type of silage can be complemented with feed concentrates, such as grains, cereals or maize corn-cob-mixes. |
Starchy silage maize hybrids
Starchy hybrids offer a quick, available source of energy. These hybrids are the correct choice for farms with 40-70% maize in their feed mixtures, or to cover needs during periods of energy deficiency and improve protein content in milk. For dairy cattle feed, the typical ratio should include an adequate mix of grass, in order to have enough structure in the forage. It combines excellently with our LUCERNE varieties and FORAGE mixtures. Monitor the addition of other sources of starch (risk of acidosis). For beef cattle or fattening purposes, it increases the quick available energy from fodder.
| Practiced diet: | Grass and lucerne dominant |
| Maize ratio in the diet: | Less than 70% of the silage fed is maize |
| Recommended silage maize profile: | – Need energy concentration to complement the nutritional value of the silage – Maize variety selected must have quickly available energy – Variety with a high starch content |
| Feeding period: | Spring – summer – early autumn |
| Tips for use: | This type of silage combines excellently with our LUCERNE varieties and MAS4 NUTRI forage mixtures. You should limit adding additional sources of starch to avoid the risk of acidosis. |
More about silage maize management
Discover NUTRIPLUS® Services
NUTRIPLUS®SAT Satellite Harvesting Forecast
Advanced satellite technology for precise silage harvesting
Harvesting silage maize at the right time is the key objective for dairy farmers. This ensures they benefit from the best feed value and ensures good conservation in the silo.
Find a product
Discover a full range of maize products for any use (grain, silage or biogas), for organic agriculture and for temperate or tropical regions.
Contact us
Our local teams visit farms and distributors on-site to give you the best advice for your location. Find your local MAS Seeds® consultant by visiting a country website or fill out our contact form here.