Feeding the Flock: Corn Silage for Sheep Nutrition

Abstract This case study provides a practical framework for calculating maize silage production and utilisation on-farm, based on findings from Mexico, where a flock of 70 sheep was evaluated in an environment of 60 ha of whole-plant maize. It shows how estimations are made for whole-plant maize produced per hectare, along with methods for determining the kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg DM/ha) and its moisture content. It outlines the practical application of this data to prepare the silage using two common methods (trench or bagging-type silos) while considering a target density of 700 kg DM/m 3 . A practical approach to calculating daily silage intake for sheep is outlined, considering their live weight, and ultimately estimating the intake of key nutrients such as organic matter, total protein, rumen-degradable protein, and metabolizable energy per animal. This data serves as a practical guide for farmers to make informed decisions regarding maize silage use. Information © The Authors 2025