Recent improvements in silage management strategies and available corn hybrid genetics have prompted dairy producers to grow more acres of corn and include higher levels of corn silage in dairy rations. There has also been a growing awareness in the importance of kernel processing when producing a high quality corn silage. The goals of processing corn silage are to create optimal particle size for rumen function, favorable grain particle form for effective use, and to improve fiber digestibility. One processing technique, shredlage, is gaining interest from dairy producers looking to increase the amount of corn silage in their dairy rations. This article describes the shredlage technology, examines current research using shredlage in dairy rations, and outlines the potential value of implementing the processing technique.
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