Extensive research at Kansas State University has demonstrated that small grain silages are excellent roughages in growing and finishing rations. Maximum yield and total feed value for beef cattle are obtained when these forages are harvested in the soft dough stage. At this stage of maturity, the crops usually can be direct cut or swathed and chopped within one to three hours at an optimum moisture content of 60 to 70 percent. Because of the hollow stems and bulky nature of these chopped forages, the moisture level should be at least 60 percent for adequate packing and preservation. In some cases, it may be necessary to add water, especially to the surface layer, to ensure a denser pack before covering the silage.

The energy content of cereal crops cut in the soft dough stage is directly related to the proportion of grain to forage in the silage. Typically, wheat silage contains about 35 percent grain in the silage dry matter and has a feed value of about 80 percent of corn silage. In contrast, barley silage contains up to 45 percent grain and has 95 to 100 percent the energy content of corn silage in growing rations.

Silages made from oats, rye, and triticale are lower in grain content and have an energy content only about 70 percent that of corn silage. When using these three crops in growing rations, it is often advisable to harvest them in the late boot stage when the forage is higher in nutritional value, although yield will be reduced about 40 percent, and the forage needs to be wilted prior to chopping. Small grain silages are higher in crude protein than corn or forage sorghum silages and usually contain 9 to 11 percent at the dough stage and 14 to 16 percent when cut in the boot stage