Comparison Of NIS With Other Forages
NIS compares favourably with other forages such as hay or chopped straw in terms of available energy, impact on DMI, consistency, palatability, alkalinity and buffering effect, and ease of handling and/or storage.
| Chopped Straw | NIS | |
| Dry Matter | Variable 82-90% | 90% |
| ME (MJ/kg DM) | 4 | 7 |
| Crude Protein | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| pH buffering effect | Nil | 1.5% Sodium Bicarbonate equivalent |
| Fat | 1% | 1% |
| Consistency | Variable | Consistent |
| Palatability | Low | High |
| Ease of mixing in TMR or with concentrates | Difficult | Easy |
| Handling issues on farm | Significant: stacking bales, dust from chopping, storage of chopped straw | Low: Pelleted product ready for use |
| Likelihood of cows to sort | High | Low |
| Likelihood of product left in feed trough | High | Low |
| Scratch Factor | Good | Good |
| Likely effect on Dry Matter Intake (DMI) | Likely to Reduce DMI | Proven to increase DMI |