ANN 111: Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN SILAGE MAKING

Selection of crop: Crop with soft and pliable stem is most suitable for silage making. Time of harvest: Crop should be harvested when 50% of the crop are in ear emergence stage as at this stage crop will be nutritious as well as with high biomass yield. Wilting of the crop: Crops with high moisture (85%) will produce more effluents that would go as waste. To reduce effluent loss, crops with high moisture content are wilted for few hours, until moisture level is reduced to 60 %. Chaffing of the crop: The success of silage depends on the ability to provide anaerobic condition in silo. Anaerobic condition prevents oxidation of nutrients in crop and promotes conducive environment for desirable organisms to survive and produce lactic acid. Thus in order to prevent the development of air pockets in silo, compression of ensiling materials is important. Compression can be achieved better by chaffing the crop. Preparation of the silo: Several type of containers are used as silo. The silo should be cleaned and re plastered to make the silo walls smooth and strong. Additives: Molasses at the rate of 2% (Weight of forage) provides readily available carbohydrate necessary for increasing the lactic acid production by lactobacillus. Further Molasses increases palatability and nutritive value of silage. Molasses is sprayed over the forages to facilitate uniform distribution. Salt at the rate of 1% (Weight of forage) is also added to improve palatability of silage. Filling up of the silo: Rapid filling of silo is desired for anaerobic condition. Silage making should not be undertaken during rainy days. Compaction: Compaction of chaffed material can be brought about by manual trampling or by engaging tractor. Compaction is the key step in silage as it removes the air pockets to promote anaerobic fermentation. Sealing of the silo to prevent the entry of air or water: To sustain anaerobic condition and to prevent entry of atmospheric air / rain into silo, the silo should be sealed as soon as the silo is filled. It is advisable to fill the silo pit to form a dome shape and cover it with insulators like tarpaulin sheet or plaster it with mud. Dome shape filling will facilitate rainwater to run off and prevents seepage. Silage will be ready in four weeks time. Upon opening the silo, the silage should be taken out daily to feed animals.

Factors to be considered: Crop with soft & pliable. 50% ear emergence. Wilt until 60% moisture. Chaffing to pack well. Smooth & strong silo wall. 2% molasses & 1% salt. Rapid filling the silo. Compaction for anaerobic fermentation. Sealing the silo.