Forage ensiling: scientific basis and benefits

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Ensiling technology brings many benefits to livestock farms. The method allows you to provide livestock with a nutritious fodder base at any time of the year. If traditional haymaking provides for the preservation of 70% of useful elements, then ensiling increases this figure by 20%. This is largely achieved by maintaining conditions that exclude the negative processes of decay of valuable elements, including protein. Most importantly, forage ensiling can be organized even in small farms. Of course, we are talking about small volumes and with minimal technical means of organizing conservation, but for a typical private land, the method can be effective.

General scientific basis for ensiling

The process of obtaining feed is focused on the maximum provision of the target farm with the necessary nutrients. Therefore, forage ensiling is based on a complex of biochemical reactions, during which relatively fresh, but dense and safe plant mass is preserved. Technologists exclude the admission of air to the future feed during the conservation process, resulting in the accumulation of organic acids. In particular, it developslactic acid, which acts as a necessary means of ensuring the effect of conservation. In addition, the biochemical environment formed at the very first stages of storage protects the mass from spoilage and decomposition.

The question may arise as to where the substances so necessary for favorable conservation conditions come from. And this is one of the main advantages of this technology. The fact is that the ensiling of fodder practically does not require the introduction of special modifiers and reagents. All processes that occur during conservation are natural and based on the work of local plant enzymes and beneficial microorganisms that enter the feed along with green grass.

What affects the quality of silage?

Qualitative characteristics of the ensiled mass depend on two factors - its fineness and humidity. The optimal process of the lactic acid reaction is determined by the balanced concentration of sugar and other components in the herbal juice. With increased humidity, the risk of diluting the sugar base increases, which does not have the best effect on the properties of the finished feed. On the contrary, excessive dryness, as a rule, brings more air into the mass, which reduces the effectiveness of conservation as such. The optimal moisture content of the plant mass is about 70%. With regard to grinding, this factor is related to the previous one. If the forage is ensiled at a moisture content of 60%, then cutting is performed in increments of 2-3 cm. At 70%, the indents between cuts should be 4-5 cm. If the moisture index is brought to 80%, then the grinding provides for intervals of 9-10 cm.

Microbiological process control

It has already been noted that the mass of silage in terms of providing preservatives is self-sufficient. But this can be achieved only if the biochemical processes are properly regulated, in which the main active element, lactic acid, will be produced. The main tool for managing its production can be called the restriction of access to oxygen. Complete tightness of the laying site will ensure high-quality forage ensiling. Molds appear in cases of violation of this rule and negatively affect the characteristics of the mass. In particular, aerobic fungi of the Mucor and Aspergillus families appear in the air and decompose not only lactic acid, but also protein elements with carbohydrates. If there is no confidence in the reliability of the structure in terms of tightness, then it is possible to use feed additives in the form of molasses-type molasses, formic acid, or natural starter cultures from cultures containing lactic acid bacteria as an additional preservative.

Laying silage mass

The laying process should be carried out as quickly as possible, since the laying mass in the structure is heated and contact with available oxygen leads to the loss of protein, and the protein becomesindigestible. As a rule, when servicing large multi-ton storage facilities, the process takes 5-7 days. Similar work on small farms should be completed 2-3 days after the start of the event. Just as quickly, the first layers of insulating material should be laid, thanks to which the forage silage preservative is more actively produced and stored for a long time. A film can be used as such a material, but only with reinforcing notches to stiffen it.

Conservation facilities

Now it is worth considering in more detail directly the structures in which laying can be carried out. There are two options for organizing the ensiling process - horizontal and vertical. The first option involves the use of trenches and pits that contain plant mass. Such methods are good for ease of maintenance and minimal cost. But they are more often used in private farms, because they cannot accommodate large volumes of workpieces. Vertical methods of forage ensiling involve the use of cylindrical building structures. They are also called silos, and, depending on the technical design, can hold from a few to 500 tons of plant matter.

Compaction of silage stock

Tampering is also a necessary technological step in the process of preparing plant mass for ensiling. The operation can be performed by various technical means up toimprovised household materials. It is impossible to overdo it in compaction - the higher the density, the better, since less air will remain in the laid layers. If silage is carried out at home without machinery, then special attention should be paid to the corners and places at the side walls. In such areas, air is most often collected, which descends into the lower layers.

Benefits of ensiling

Compared to other types of feed, this option allows you to get exactly a natural product at low costs for the implementation of technological stages. Even on large livestock farms that invest a lot of money in special equipment and silos, feed preparation pays for itself. The advantages of the method include accessibility in the organization of the overall process. Even in a household environment, technology can be observed. So, the basics of forage ensiling as the main condition for keeping the plant mass affirm the provision of tightness. It is quite possible to complete it with the help of a deep trench and several layers of film material.

Conclusion

Still, the preparation of silage is not a completely free option for obtaining nutritious feed. Those wishing to try out this method in the conditions of their farm should initially determine which herbs are available for this task. For example, it is recommended to use legumes and cereals. Also, the ensiling of fodder, depending on the scale of production, requiresregular monitoring with the help of special devices. So, modern silos are equipped with measuring instruments that determine humidity and temperature conditions. But in any case, even additional investments are justified by the fact that livestock receives a truly nutritious and environmentally friendly feed, which can be used even in winter with appropriate conservation.