Recently, I attended the 20th International Silage Conference in Gainesville, Florida – an event that brought together more than 330 leaders in silage research, innovation and sustainable agriculture from 37 countries. With a history dating back to 1970, the conference continues to inspire generations of researchers and foster connections around the globe.
The conference served as a platform for sharing breakthrough research in silage production, conservation and feeding. Presentations were concise – 15 to 20 minutes each – offering just the right amount of information for follow-up interviews and focused queries. Conference organization was impressively smooth and on schedule, and the atmosphere ideal for making meaningful connections with researchers.
The heartfelt tribute to Dr. Keith Bolsen and his wife, Ruthie, who were memorialized for their contributions to the silage industry and their relentless efforts to teach silage safety, was inspiring and is detailed in this article.
After the tribute, Dr. Luiz Nussio, a silage researcher at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, shared his perspective on the past, present and future of the silage conference and its community.
Two of the plenary session speakers received Excellence in Research Awards: Limin Kung Jr. and Richard Muck. It was an incredible experience to hear the significant impact that they had and will continue to have on the silage industry. Image by Marian Viney.
From microbial manipulation to equipment advances, the plenary sessions didn’t just inform – they resonated:
- Kenneth Kalscheur, U.S., Silage production and utilization in the U.S.
- Giorgio Borreani, Italy, Recent advances in silage sealing
- Tim McAllister, Canada, Enhancing the use of food waste through ensiling
- Xusheng Guo, China, Manipulating silage bacteria to improve animal health
- Limin Kung, Jr., U.S., Novel additives for silage fermentation
- Matthew Digman, U.S., Recent advances in silage equipment
- William Rooney, U.S., Designing silage forages for the future
- Frank Mitloehner, U.S., The role of silage in sustainable livestock systems
- Karl-Heinz Südekum, Germany, Silage volatile organic compounds – effects on the environment and animal performance
- Richard Muck, U.S., Final remarks
Their insights spanned continents and disciplines, yet for me, it was even more meaningful because I’ve crossed paths with several of these researchers throughout my career, and seeing their research evolve was a reminder of how most things are interconnected – seven degrees, and how much I enjoy my work.
The conference agenda was busy but thoughtfully allowed plenty of time for breaks to recharge, reflect and reconnect – the networking was as valuable as the sessions.
The poster presentations, which play a key role in the exchange of information, were scheduled throughout the conference and allowed time to view posters and have discussions with the presenters. The three posters that were recognized included: Rona Cathrina Lizardo (Germany), In vitro nutrient fermentation and methane mitigation potential of pineapple byproduct silage in ruminants; Micah Robinson (U.S., Wisconsin), Measuring forage quality using on-harvester NIRS; and Haechan Mark Bong (Canada), Integration of foundational models on autonomous drones for silage inventory and storage quality assessment.
Jennifer Tucker, University of Georgia, presented on the strategic use of legume-grass mixtures to enhance baleage production in the coastal plains region of the U.S., emphasizing forage quality and regional adaptability. Image by Marian Viney.
More exciting news – attendees of the International Silage Conference voted to launch the International Silage Society. It will be led by Marketta Rinne, a professor and leading expert in animal nutrition and forage science at the Natural Resources Institute Finland. She also chaired the organizing committee of the 2012 XVI International Silage Conference, which was held in Hämeenlinna, Finland.
As one of the new society's first acts, two of the plenary session speakers received Excellence in Research Awards: Limin Kung, Jr., and Richard Muck. As a student at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, I worked with both researchers at the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center. It was incredible to hear the significant impact they have had and will continue to have on the silage industry. Robert Charley received the Excellence in Extension and Industry Award.
The 2025 International Silage Conference concluded with a silage producer and feeding panel with moderator Renato Schmidt, Lallemand Animal Nutrition, and panelists: Horst Auerbach, International Silage Consultancy, Germany; Kyle Beauchamp, KB Custom Ag Services LLC, U.S.; and Michelle Chang Der-Bedrosian, Animix LLC, U.S. Their insights bridged research and practice, highlighting the impact of silage innovation.
Prior to the conference, I contacted Diwakar Vyas and Marcelo Wallau, conference co-chairs, regarding a tour of a local farm or ranch. They arranged a tour of the University of Florida Unit 5 Dairy Farm with another conference attendee and member of the conference’s scientific program committee, Juan Romero Gomez, associate professor of dairy cattle nutrition and forage science at the University of Maine. Stay tuned for a future farm feature.
Also announced … the 2028 International Silage Conference will be held in Africa, marking a new chapter in the conference’s global commitment.
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