What is Silage
Silage may be defined as fermented green forage. Silage is the green material produced by controlled fermentation of the green forage crop retaining high moisture content.
2.Procedures of silage making
Harvesting: harvesting at proper stage of maturity assumes the maximum yield and nutritive value. The green crops are harvested when they contain about 35% dry matter. The milky stage of cob in case of maize is the proper method of silage making.
Chaffing: harvested crop are then cut into small pieces lengthwise. Dry forage with hollow stem are chaffed into smaller pieces as they contain more moisture, also this will enable proper packing in silo pit eliminating air pockets.
Control of moisture content: moisture content is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of silage. Moisture of 60-70% is best for ensiling. Squeezing handful of chopped forage for 30 seconds, if ball expands slowly with no dampness in hand, the crop is ready for ensiling. Wilting on adding dry hay and addition of molasses with water can be used to decrease and increase the moisture of chaffed crop respectively.
Filling: the chaffed forage is ready for filling into silo pit. In order to avoid air pockets, chaffed forage should be distributed uniformly into packed well, commonly done by tractors and finally sealed. If silage is prepared in smaller amount, it is packed in plastic sheet provided with high down ward pressure.
Factors affecting nutritive value of silage
Dry matter: dry matter of the green forage to be ensiled should be 30-35%. If moisture content is high, there is undesirable fermentation and more production of butyric acid instead of acetic acid.
Air pockets: non-uniform compact packing of ensiled material allows formation of air pockets in the silo pit resulting more trapping of air or mold (fungus) grow in such silage.
3.Characteristics of Good Silage
No mould growth.
Pleasant fruity odour/ an acceptable aroma.
Liked very much by animals because of mild-acidic taste and pleasant aroma.
Free flowing and non-sticky texture.
3-4% increased palatability.
Increased nutritive value.
pH around 4.0-4.5.
4.What is the importance of silage to ruminants?
Silages are considered the most cost-effective feed resource in ruminant nutrition. Grass and small-grain cereal silages are the main sources of dietary energy, while leguminous silages are considered important sources of protein for ruminant livestock
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