ENSILAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XII, Issue 4, 20 April 1916, Page 292

ENSILAGE NOTES.

W. DIBBLE,

Assistant Fields Instructor.

In the. writer’s travels through the Dominion, in the course of his special work as ensilage instructor, he . has noted with considerable ’ encouragement that once ensilage is made under personal supervision in a. district the practice extends from season to season. Ensilage has been specially appreciated during the 'droughty seasons experienced fact, many dairymen' milking large herds now candidly admit that they could not do without it. Ensilage, however, is still very much neglected in most districts. It was reported in March that in some • districts farmers were milking their herds once daily owing to the falling-off of the milksupply. This seems incredible in a country like . New Zealand. The quantity of surplus, feed that was allowed to waste during the spring months of 1915 was enormous, many thousands of tons of valuable material that could have been utilized for ensilage having been lost. - ■

Some stack ensilage made from meadow-grasses, recently shown to me, was quite equal to the best pasturage growing at that season. The sample referred to . was light green in colour, had an excellent aroma, and was very succulent. Some persons have an idea that ensilage should be black and have a disagreeable, odour, but with sweet green ensilage such is not the case. The sweetness and light colour are obtained by regulating the temperature between 125 0 and 145 0 F. Attention to control of temperature is no doubt the secret of success. ' .

Many farmers complain of the labour attached to "the making of ensilage. With up-to-date appliances silage can be made with very little . labour—stack ensilage now being referred to. The principal work is in the building, which is easily accomplished if instructions, given personally or in the Department's publications, are carried ' out. Ensilage will keep good for many years in stack form. "In early autumn ■ the chief material available is maize, which when converted into ensilage makes a very valuable asset for producing milk.' Maize' has . proved to be rather disappointing when .fed, green. r It has a tendency to put on flesh • rather • than produce milk. But when made into ensilage, it is found to •be an

excellent milk-producer, and is readily digestible. Not only does silage increase the quantity of milk, it also improves the quality.

■ It cannot be too often urged that farmers should pay more attention to conserving fodder for their stock, and thus increase the carrying-capacity of the land. Too many find their mistake in being overstocked at this season, with insufficient provision made for autumn or winter feed. In the present international situation it more than ever behoves the farmer, with regard to live-stock, to breed and feed to his utmost ability.