Silage quality in relation to the species, wilting degree and ensilability characteristics

The use of silages or haylages is a valid alternative to hays in ruminant nutrition, because the nutritive value of these products is usually better than hay forages and similar to that of the original grass when the conservation process has been conducted correctly. The present knowledge concerning silage quality, in relation to the wilting degree and ensilability characteristics of some grass silages or haylages, has been studied in depth in this work for the following crops: lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), galega (Galega officinalis L.), foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and chia (Salvia hispanica L.).