The Impact of Silage on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Dairy Products of Ruminants
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 74
Special Issue Editors
Interests: animal nutrition; small ruminants; dairy ewes; by-products; silage; milk quality
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The production of silage has ancient origins and is considered a good method for preserving forage. Silage, an anaerobically fermented green fodder, is valued worldwide as a source of animal feed during lean months.
Modern ensiling technology has improved the feeding value of silage, bringing it closer to that of original ensiled forage. Recent developments in silage additives and livestock safety have revealed various antioxidant supplements capable of enhancing the antioxidant activity and health-related attributes of silage. However, silage with poorer feeding value is still being produced.
Moreover, the use of non-conventional feed or locally available by-products can help reduce production costs, replace a portion of grains and forage, and introduce bioactive compounds in animal diets. Alternative preservation methods, such as ensiling, could even provide additional benefits by preserving nutritive values and reducing seasonal fluctuations in availability.
The literature mainly comprises papers reporting the effects of feeding silage to lactating animals on milk quality. Today, the focus on milk quality has evolved and expanded to include aspects related to nutraceuticals.
The aim of this Special Issue is to publish recent advances in ruminant nutrition, with a focus on the nutraceutical aspects of milk and dairy products.
Prof. Dr. Massimo Todaro
Dr. Riccardo Gannuscio
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- silage quality
- milk yield
- milk composition
- dairy quality
- nutraceutical compounds
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