Silage making
Silage?
“Preserved form of forage Preservation based on fermentation under anaerobic
conditions”
Importance:
1. Minimum
Lose of nutrients as compared to feeding forage directly.
2. For milking animals corn silage is better due to
3. High digestibility
4. Palatability
5. High
fiber quality
6. For dry cows corn silage is better due to Low calcium levels and high calcium intake in a dry period can cause milk
fever.
7. For growing
heifers of age 6 months energy requirement is 69%of TDN.
And corn silage is effective to meet the high energy
requirement of heifers.
Specifications of
ideal silage.
1. P.H
Good quality silage needs to be acidic, range given below
|
Excellent
(PH) |
Good
(PH) |
Fair
(PH) |
|
3.8-4.2 |
4.2-4.5 |
4.5 |
2. Particle size
1-1.5inch (2.5-3 cm)
3. Incubation period
|
With
Inoculant (Days) |
Without
Inoculant |
C.P
(%) |
NDF |
ADF |
|
10-14
|
21-28 |
8.6
|
46 |
26 |
Procedure
Selection of fodder
Harvest at 50% milk line in case of corn
Wilting for some fodders to gain Dry Matter UpTo 30%
Chopping
Inoculants spray
Pressing
Preservation or storage
Precautions
Dry Matter should be 30%
The main problem of silage in mycotoxins (aflatoxin).
Manage silo to minimize air by better pressing.
Ammonia or propanoic acid can be used as additives in reducing
mycotoxins production potential.
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