IN THE U.S., SPOILAGE OF HAY AND SILAGE COSTS 4.2 BILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR, REDUCING FARM PRODUCTIVITY AND THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FEEDS. MOREOVER, SPOILAGE INCREASES GREENHOUSE GASES EMISSIONS AND IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF FOODBORNE PATHOGENS. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO DECREASE HAY AND LEGUME SILAGE SPOILAGE USING PAPER MILL BY-PRODUCTS CALLED TECHNICAL LIGNINS THAT HAVE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND CAN SAFEGUARD PROTEINS AGAINST BREAKDOWN. THE RESEARCH INVOLVES THE SCREENING AND OPTIMIZATION OF TECHNICAL LIGNINS TO DETERMINE THE MOST EFFECTIVE APPLICATION STRATEGY FOR HAY AND LEGUME SILAGE. WE EXPECT TO SURPASS THE PRESERVATION EFFECTS OF CURRENTLY USED ADDITIVES AT A MUCH LOWER COST. THE INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND NUTRITIVE VALUE WILL INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS AND IMPROVE THEIR BOTTOM LINE, AND WILL REDUCE EMISSIONS. THIS WILL HELP TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE U.S. LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE INDUSTRY AND EXPAND OUR UNDERSTANDING ON FEED SPOILAGE PROCESSES.