EN
Irrespective of cereal species, ageing of plants from heading to milk stage of maturity increase nearly twice a yield of dry matter per ha. Crude protein and NDF contents in silages decrease with plant maturity, but N-free extractives content increase together with a rising proportion of starch. These changes of chemical composition influenced UFL and PDI values. The silages made of plant cut at heading stage are of the highest digestibility. Regardless of maturity stage, the silages made from barley have the highest DM digestibility, with rye, triticale and oat silages being less digestible. Taking into consideration fresh and dry matter yield per ha as well as DM digestibility of silages, the optimum harvested date was determined for rye (heading stage) and triticale (milk stage). Prolongation of plant maturity till milk-dough stage is recommended in case of ensiling barley and oats.