Corn silage, pasture, and hay are examples of what type of feed?

Corn silage, pasture, and hay are categorized as roughages because they are high in fiber content and provide bulk to the diet of ruminants like cattle. Roughages are essential for promoting healthy digestion and rumen function, making them a crucial part of a beef cattle diet. They typically come from plant sources that are not easily digestible in their raw form, promoting the natural chewing and fermentation processes that occur in ruminants.

In contrast, grains are primarily starchy, concentrates are energy-dense feeds with lower fiber content, and supplementary feeds are used to provide additional nutrients that may be lacking in the primary diet. Roughages play a fundamental role in animal nutrition, particularly for ruminants, by ensuring a balanced diet that supports overall health and production traits.