Silage contains a moderate to high level of digestible energy, but is low to moderate in digestible protein. As the corn matures the fiber content decreases and the energy content increases, this is directly due to the increase grain content. As a rule, sorghum silage has a somewhat lower nutritive value than corn silage. Corn silage is low in calcium and trace minerals and contains fair levels of phosphorus. Additional calcium and trace minerals must be supplied.
Listeria can also cause abortion, diarrhea and speticemia.
It is commonly referred to as Circling disease and silage is often the source of the listeria, but it can also be found in hay, or even on sheep grazing pastures. The most common clinical signs are a sheep that walks in circles and has one half of the face paralyzed. The affected ear and lips on one side of the face will hang, often the sheep is drooling and the eyelid on the affected side will droop and the eye will also water causing the cheek to be wet. Finally, after only one or two days the sheep will be found down and be paddling and unable to rise on its feet. Treatment is dismal at best.