Bracken ensilage

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Abstract
Bracken cut in June was ensiled in various ways, and some of the products were examined for chemical composition, digestibility and palatability. The main findings were:1. Overheated silage was moderately palatable to sheep and cattle, but its digestibility was low and it approximated to wheat or barley straw in feeding value.2. Silage subjected to less heat was unpalatable, and in some cases was absolutely refused by sheep. The ensiled stems were preferred to the leaves. The digestibility was low but slightly better than that of the overheated silage.3. Ensiling seriously affects the digestibility of bracken protein. In two silages none of the true protein was digestible, and in one the digestibility of this constituent was only 12·9%.It is concluded that the ensiling of bracken is unlikely to prove profitable.

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