Nitrogen redistribution during ensilage at low moisture level

The redistribution of nitrogen which occurs during the wilting of immature ryegrass to moisture contents of 51% and 40%, and during its ensilage in air‐tight containers at these moisture levels was measured. The extent of protein hydrolysis was less at the lower moisture level, and evidence was also gained that metabolism of the amino‐acids released was less extensive in the drier samples. A passage of nitrogen into proline residues which occurred rapidly during wilting, did not proceed when the grass of low moisture content was stored anaerobically.