Disclosed is a method of increasing the gain:feed ratio (G:F) of a silage-fed animal being fed a finishing ration, the method comprising: feeding the animal with a finishing ration, wherein the finishing ration comprises silage produced from a brown midrib (BMR) com plant variety in an amount between about 15% and about 30% of the dry matter in the animal&rsquo；s diet, the brown midrib (BMR) variety exhibiting decreased lignin content, wherein the finishing ration does not comprise grain corn, and wherein the G:F ratio of the animal is increased, compared to the G:F ratio of an animal of the same species being fed a finishing ration comprising an equivalent amount of silage produced from a com plant having a wild-type lignin content.
