Embodiments of the present invention include polypeptides having ferulate esterase activity and the nucleic acid sequences that encode them. Methods of the embodiments utilize these ferulate esterase polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences to enhance the digestibility of plant cell walls and the accessibility of carbohydrates in plants. The invention provides for transgenic plants transformed with expression vectors containing a DNA sequence encoding ferulate esterase from Lactobacillus buchneri. Methods of using same to enhance plant fiber digestion in animals, are disclosed. Uses of this invention include, but are not limited to, forage and silage with improved digestibility for livestock, and enhanced biomass conversion.