Nutri Fodder Enterprises

Silage is the modern-age feed for livestock. It serves as the link between green fodder and concentrate feed. Silage possesses the qualities of both green fodder and concentrate feed. It contains 15–20% maize grain. It provides both fiber and starch, and also contains around 8–10% protein. Through silage, a livestock farmer can provide the same quality feed to animals throughout the year. A dairy animal mainly requires three types of feed: green fodder, dry fodder such as straw, and animal feed or concentrate feed. Silage performs the role of all three. After feeding silage, there is absolutely no need to provide green fodder. It can reduce straw consumption by up to 80% and reduce concentrate feed consumption by 2 to 3 kilograms.

Silage is prepared by harvesting the maize crop at the milk to early dough stage, including the cobs. The crop is chopped into small pieces and treated with a silage inoculant. It is then tightly compressed using specialized baling machines and sealed in airtight bags. Under airtight conditions, the fodder undergoes a natural fermentation process and is ready in approximately 21–30 days. Modern silage is produced using silage balers, which ensure superior quality, better compaction, and significantly lower wastage. Properly packed silage bales can be stored for up to one year in open conditions without requiring any special storage arrangements.

An animal can be fed 10 to 30 kilograms of silage per day, depending on its milk production. If you are feeding silage to an animal for the first time, start with 5 kilograms per day and gradually increase the quantity every day. How much silage should be fed to a dairy animal? Answer: Suppose a cow produces 20 liters of milk per day. In that case, it should be fed 20 kilograms of silage, 1.5 to 2 kilograms of straw, and 6 kilograms of good-quality concentrate feed.

* Mix silage with straw before feeding. Increase the quantity of silage gradually, as cattle may take 3–4 days to get accustomed to it. Do not add water to the silage. Feed it exactly as it comes out of the silage bale.

* Silage bales can be stored outdoors, even in sunlight or rain. No special storage shed is required.

* If a silage bale gets torn or damaged, mold or insects may develop on the exposed surface. This is normal. Remove only the exposed portion and use the remaining silage.

* If a bale is damaged during unloading or handling, use that bale first. Do not leave it exposed, as rainwater may enter the bale.

* If the entire bale is not used in one day, do not open the whole bale. Keep it upright like a bucket and remove one layer each day for feeding.

* Silage has a pickle-like aroma that cattle find appealing. Therefore, use it immediately after opening the bale. Do not use silage after it has dried out or lost its aroma.

* Dispose of the used silage bale plastic responsibly. It can also be sold to a scrap dealer for a reasonable value.

Since silage contains 15–20% maize grain and around 8% protein, feeding 20 kg of silage per day can reduce concentrate feed requirements by approximately 2.5–3 kg. It can also reduce the use of dry fodder such as straw by up to 80%, resulting in significant savings in feed costs.

Animals producing up to 5–8 litres of milk per day can be maintained on silage alone. Animals producing more than 8 litres of milk per day should receive silage along with an appropriate quantity of concentrate feed to meet their higher nutritional requirements.

Yes. Silage is suitable for cows, buffaloes, bulls, goats, calves, heifers, and pregnant animals. It is a safe and nutritious feed when prepared and stored properly.

Yes. Even if fresh green fodder is available, silage should be given preference because it provides consistent nutrition throughout the year. The type of green fodder changes with the seasons—for example, berseem is available during one season, while sorghum (chari) is available during another. This means farmers often need to change fodder three to four times a year. Silage eliminates these seasonal variations by providing a uniform, high-quality feed all year round.