Dry matter
The dry matter content tells you how much of the silage is actual feed and how much is water.
The other values are usually given per kilo of dry matter on the result. This lets you compare silages with each other.
Energy: VEM
VEM stands for feed unit milk. It is the energy value of the feed for dairy cattle.
The higher the VEM, the more energy a cow gets from the feed.
Protein: crude protein, DVE and OEB
Crude protein is the total amount of protein in the feed. DVE is the intestinally digestible protein: the protein the cow can absorb in the intestine.
The OEB tells you whether there is a surplus or a shortage of protein in the rumen relative to the energy. A positive OEB means a protein surplus in the rumen.
Sugar and structure
Sugar makes the silage palatable and helps with preservation.
The structure says something about how well the feed keeps the rumen working. If the structure is too low, the rumen works less well.
What do you do with the result?
With the values of your own silage, you can fine-tune the ration. Target values differ per farm and per animal group.
That is why you should discuss the result with your feed adviser.
