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• Put weight through mud layer/ sand bags/ tyres on the sheet to prevent air flow beneath
the sheet.
• Open the silo for feeding, minimum after 45 days, as per need.
Feeding of silage
• Silo can be opened from one side as per need after 45 days and closed properly after
taking out the silage.
• Silage can be taken out as per requirement. Initially, silage can be fed @ 5 kg/animal to
adjust the animals on silage feeding.
• Silage is a substitute of green fodder and can be fed like green fodder.
Characteristics of good quality silage
• Bright, light green yellow or green brown in colour.
• Lactic acid odour with no butyric acid and ammonia odour.
• Firm texture with softer material.
• Moisture should be in range of 65-70 per cent.
• Lactic acid 3-14 per cent.
• Butyric acid less than 0.2 per cent.
• pH in the range of 4.0-4.2.
Critical factors effecting production of good quality silage
1.
Type of Silo
– Surface silo are best due to ease of ensiling.
2.
Dry Matter of fodder
– Ideal 30-35 per cent.
3.
Chop length of fodder
– Ideal 2-3 cms, easy to get compacted.
4.
Pressing/compaction of fodder
– As quick as possible to minimise aerobic
fermentation.
5.
Sealing of silo
– To check inflow of air and water into silo.
Surface silo