Abstract: A method for treating a forage to increase digestibility by a ruminant comprises providing a forage for a ruminant comprising a level of ammonia that is from 0.0% to about 1.4% of dry matter (wt/wt). An alkali is applied at a dosage of from about 0.25% to about 0.75% of dry matter (wt/wt) to the forage. At least one exogenous carbohydrase enzyme is applied to the forage after application of the alkali and the forage is subsequently fed to the ruminant.

Abstract: A method for increasing the rate and extent of fiber digestion in a ruminant after ingestion by the ruminant is described. The method includes forming an aqueous mixture including carbohydrase enzymes active on structural carbohydrates of a forage and applying the aqueous mixture to the forage prior to ingestion by the ruminant at an application ratio grater than about 20 milliliters of the aqueous mixture per pound of forage dry matter.