Silage: The Best Fodder Type for Dairy Cattle

Livestock farming is a business that will never grow old. There may be developments through the rise of technology, but many people around the world will still need sheep and cattle for meat, milk, and other dairy products. Even with the massive influence of vegans, statistics reveal that meat-eaters have yet to be dethroned in major types of food consumers.

 

Dairy cattle are some of the most popular livestock that farmers invest in. There are challenges that come with raising farm animals expected to produce milk, but if you raise them well, they are very profitable. For many dairy farmers, food for cattle is an issue, especially during the dry season.

There are seasons wherein green forage is unavailable and can be very bothersome for farmers. Silage is the best substitute for green feed that is necessary for producing adequate amounts of milk. This fodder with the help of plastic silage covers will primarily reduce storage space than when you choose hay to feed your cattle.

 

If you’re a dairy farmer who prefers silage over hay, grains, and other types of fodder, you have a set of items that you need to complete to ensure that you can make silage good for your cattle and good for your business.

 

Grass

 

There are various types of grass suitable for dairy cattle, including millet, maize, sorghum, oats, and other greens. Experts recommend adding urea or molasses if you want to improve the final product further.

 

Silo

You need a silo with enough space for the grass you will turn into silage. The walls should not have holes so silage won’t be spoiled or your time and efforts will go to waste. The silo should have the capacity to store pressed layers of grass while ensuring that no unwanted elements are mixed into the silage during the fermentation process.

 

Cover

Experts highly recommend the use of plastic silage covers for the final pressing. You have to cover the greens for added assurance that no air or fungi spoil the greens. Plastic silage covers are necessary since you have to pile in heavy items on top of the plastic to prevent having the greens in contact with water and other elements that could cause spoiling.

 

Now that you have everything you need for making silage, you have to leave the silo and not open it for around 2-3 months, as recommended by experts. Traditionally, silage can be kept for up to two years, although three months should be enough before you feed the fodder to your dairy cattle.

 

 

Over the years, it has been proven that silage is a very nutritious feed type for dairy cattle. If it is preserved correctly, your cows can produce healthier milk and meat. Natural preservatives that grow in silage are almost the same as lactic acids present in cheese.

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