MAKING OF SILAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 2

MAKING OF SILAGE

THE FARM

AREA AT BERWICK FIELD DEMONSTRATION METHODS AND ADVANTAGES A field demonstration? of the making of silage was held on Mr A. J. Spencer’s property at Berwick this week. The demonstration, which was arranged by the Department of Agriculture, was attended by neighbouring farmers and students of agriculture at the Mosgiel Distript High School. Mr Spencer, who has had about 15 years’ practical experience in the making of silage on the Taieri, considers that it is an ideal method of conserving a high production fodder. Mr W. R. Lobb, of the Department of Agriculture, said that both the terrain and the climate of the Taieri were ideal for silage making. Silage was a succulent, high protein production fodder, and had many advantages over hay or dried grass. It was Used for winter feed and was easier on the soil than hay. It gave increased pasture production and assisted in the control of weeds. When special silage crops were grown, it was possible to get two crops a year. Mr Lobb said that there were three common methods of making ensilage—the pit, silo and stack methods. Mr Spencer used the stack method because less labour was required. The site was on the spot where the crop was grown, and the quantity made was not governed by the capacity of the pit or silo. Carting out and feeding were easier, and the loss was' not much greater when silage was used. During the conversion of the green material to ensilage, Mr Lobb said, many chemical changes took place. In the early stages the plant cells continued to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide, while much heat was produced. Older, stalky and fibrous material produced less heat and required quicker stacking and consolidating to exclude air than did ensilage. Too low a temperature produced rancid material, with a loss in food value and digestibility as a result. The material must be cut young to lessen the amount of fibre. Fermentation also took place, resulting in a breaking down or digesting of proteins and carbohydrates. When the temperature was high enough, microorganisms produced lactic acid, which gave a sweet silage. Mr Lobb said that the amount of crop governed the size of the stack, but the aim should be to have one of Oft to Bft. Too large a diameter for the amount of material resulted in a stack of 3ft to 4ft which was wasteful. The green material used lost about one-third of its weight, so that each ton of material gave two-thirds of a ton of silage. A cubic foot of matured silage weighed about 401 b to 451 b. The following table shows the diameter of stack desirable for certain tonnages:— Green Material. Diameter. Tons. Feet. 20-30 14-16 . 40-60 20 70-80 24 90 26 100-110 28-30 Mr Spencer expressed the opinion that a round stack, 14 feet in diameter, is the smallest that should be made, and that there is less loss in larger stacks. He thought that one of about 20 feet was the best. , . ~ On the first day, the stack should be built to a height of 7ft to Bft. This may be left for a day to settle. On the second day, sft to 6ft should be added, and so on until the desired height is reached. The height of the settled stack should be increased by two feet a day. If the height increases too quickly, insufficient heat is being developed in the stack, and it should be given a spell for a day or two. If settling too quickly and not gaining 2ft for lach sft or 6ft of ensilage added, the stack will be heating too much and the stacking should be speeded up. The stack now being built by Mr Spencer at Berwick has a diameter of 24 feet and will have 60 feet of material added to it before it is complete and settled to the required 6ft to Bft. This slack is being built from a 10-acre naddock, sown down with seconds . of oats. When finished, it will contain sufficient feed for 50 cows in milk for six weeks or more.

When completed the stack will be covered with a layer of soil 10 to 12 inches thick. Grass or straw may bt placed between the soil and the silage. In covering the stack with soil, a small cock of silage may first be splayed out from the centre of the top of the stack, over a layer of soil placed about two feet m from the outer edge of the stack. A further layer of soil is followed by another layer of material until the soil is the required depth. This prevents the soil from slipping away from the sides. The inner part of the top is then finished off to give an even layer ot soil over all to keep all rain or drainage water out of the silage. About six weeks later the silage will and may be -fed out. Stock should not be given more than they can eat at one feed because it deteriorates on exposure to air. A dairy cow will eat 80 to 1001 b of silage a day. The making of silage does not reouire a large team of men. Mr Spen cer working with a Morrison sweep and grab, can build a stack between milkings with two men and a girl to assist. B He did not add s ? es .. any other material. He stated that one advantage of ensilage as food wa. that the cows received warm food (the stack was still warnyn August) instead of frozen turnips. As a result they find it much easier to maintain body heat and. m turn, Production does not fall. A variety of food, such as a little hay and some turnips, should be fed to stock together with silage.