Advantages of silage
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Green fodder can be kept in a succulent condition for a considerably long period. Silage furnishes high quality forage in any desired season of the year at a low expense. As there is an acute shortage of green fodder during the summer months, silage can meet this deficiency during that part of the year.
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Grass silage preserves 85 per cent or more of the feed value of the crop, whereas hay making will preserve significantly less percentage of nutrients.
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It is the most economical form in which the whole stalk of maize or sorghum can be processed and stored. On the other hand, a considerable part of this crop is wasted during the course of feeding in dry condition even if it is of good quality.
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During the monsoon months, it becomes exceedingly difficult with dry grasses for making hay. Preserving the fodder as silage avoids this difficulty.
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Weed species which tend to make poor hay may produce silage of good quality. The ensiling process kills practically all weeds that are present in the field because of their harvest before seed formation and thereby stopping dissemination of their seeds.
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Silage is a very palatable feed and slightly laxative in nature.
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It is a better source of protein and of certain vitamins, especially carotene, and perhaps some of the unknown factors, than dried forage.
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Wastage of the plant is less as the whole plant is being consumed for ensiling, which is an important consideration with coarse, stemmy forages.
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The produce from a given area can be stored in less space than dry fodder of the same quantity. A cubic foot of silage contains about three times more dry weight of feed than a cubic foot of long hay stored in the mow.
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It offers many advantages over pasture, including:
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No fencing required,
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Approximately one-third more forage from the same acreage,
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More uniform quality, and
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Closer observation of animals that are confined to a lot.
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It helps to control weeds, which are often spread through hay or fodder.
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Last modified: Friday, 26 August 2011, 11:03 AM