A WARNING.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 25, 29 February 1932, Page 6

A WARNING.

USE OF ENSILAGE. HARMFUL IN WINTER? A warning note M regard to the indiscriminate use of ensilage was sounded by Mr R. Beverley, of Peria, a well-known breeder of pedigree Ayrshire cattle. In dry weather and in spring, the feeding of ensilage to slock was all right, he said, but in winter lie found that ensilage was positively harmful to stock. It gave I lie animals indigestion and “staggers,” or inflammation of the brain resulted, lie had lost several valuable animals

a tier feeding ensilage, and when ho opened them up he found that the ensilage was packed like a stone in the stomachs to practically lull capacity.

This had been Ihe cause of death. Rows were exceedingly fond of ensilage. and when fed in winter, were apl In gulp il down, with the results mentioned. In spring there was a flush of grass which tended to countera cl any ill effects, and there was less likelihood of ravenous eating . He was a keen advocate of making cn-

• silage in November, when the grass was in (In* leafy stage, and last year a ! slack made al this period contained

no w;islo when it was fed ouL Mr ■ Beverley said he understood that many : fanners in the Old Country were abandoning ensilage, though they had sih's world from £f>oo to £OOO, because Ihcir slock would not fatten on il. SI nek led on swedes and hay put or) fa! internally and came away heller in Ihe spring. Tie had been making ensilage, now for ten years. Tie. however. iiad not abandoned ensilage altogo! her. iinij in dry weather. and in spring, il would still he led to Ihe herds. lie had reduced Hie area cut for ensilage, and at present had six haystacks and four ensilage stacks on Ids |o'operly. The ensilage, however, •wan'd I"' kepi solely for dry weather rner Png.