Feed Additives Information

Silage Production Processes

Silage is the product of the controlled fermentation of green fodder. The plant material have to have sufficient moisture content, which is generally required to be between 50% and 60%. This is dependent upon the way in which it is to be stored and specifically the amount of water that may be lost in storage.

The plant material is chopped into incredibly modest pieces employing a forage harvester (in the past this was completed by hand!) after which stored in silos or ‘pits’. You will find distinct techniques in which it might be stored. 1 choice would be to place the silage in substantial piles and drive over them with a tractor so that you can squeeze out all of the air, after which it really is wrapped in plastic covers which are held down with tires.

A second choice is for the silage to be ‘baled’ and wrapped in plastic. Again you will discover distinctive strategies of doing this, with bales located in all sorts of unique shapes and sizes. Thirdly, a bunker could be built into the side of a bank, with the chopped grass crops loaded in at the leading, to be collected from the bottom when ready. As soon as once more plastic sheets are utilised to cover the pit.

Fermentation – Silage Additives

The quantity of spoilage organisms in silage can be decreased through the use of a silage additive at the beginning of the fermentation stage. These silage inoculants provoke the activation of Bacillus strains which in turn lessen the spoilage organisms. Great additives also help to control the pH balance of the silage, which is essential because otherwise the livestock can suffer.

Uses of Silage

Silage might be utilised to feed dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep and horses. It can also be employed as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion – to generate biogas.