As a silage crop, sunflower provides green mass yields of up to 500–700 ц/ha, making it a reliable component of the green conveyor. The optimal harvesting phase for silage is the beginning of flowering, as later stages lead to stem lignification and reduced nutritional value. Due to the high moisture content of the mass and specific fermentation characteristics, sunflower is often ensiled in mixtures with legumes or cereal crops to optimize feed composition.
Sunflower processing products, meal and oilcake, are valuable protein supplements with high methionine and vitamin E content. Meal is primarily used in rations for young livestock, while oilcake, due to its higher fat content, allows for balancing the energy value of rations without adding extra oils. Sunflower hulls are used as a fiber source, though they require thorough grinding due to their high lignin content.
Forage use of the crop is limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors, such as chlorogenic and quinic acids, which can inhibit digestive enzymes. The agronomic efficiency of sunflower as a forage plant is driven by its well-developed root system, capable of extracting moisture from depths of up to 2–3 meters, which ensures stable yields under adverse conditions.
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Forage purpose.