(I) Technical Overview
Silage and yellow silage are high-quality feeds that are rich in nutrients, easy to digest, and highly palatable. They are produced by chopping fresh plant materials and fermenting them under anaerobic conditions using microbial activity. This process enhances the nutritional value of the feed and helps balance the supply of livestock feed throughout the year. These methods are especially beneficial in regions where feed availability is limited or seasonal.
(II) Increasing Production and Efficiency
With the rapid development of animal husbandry, challenges such as a shrinking labor force and competition between humans and animals for resources have become more evident. At the same time, in many agricultural areas, aging farmers and outdated feed processing techniques lead to the waste of agricultural by-products and crop straws. This technology aims to address these issues by converting such materials into nutritious feed for ruminants through simple and efficient processing. In recent years, this method has been widely adopted in Ningxia, bringing significant economic and environmental benefits. It not only alleviates feed shortages but also reduces pollution and helps increase farmers' income.
(3) Key Technical Points
1. Harvesting: Whole plant silage corn is typically harvested during the late maturity stage to early wax ripening stage. Semi-dry silage is harvested during the wax ripening stage. Yellow silage corn stalks should be harvested 15 days before the ripening period, while leguminous grasses are best harvested during the early flowering stage or at the heading stage.
2. Transportation: The material should be cut and stored promptly to maintain quality.
3. Chopping: Silage materials are usually chopped into pieces of 1–2 cm, while yellow silage materials need to be cut shorter than regular silage.
4. Moisture Adjustment: The ideal moisture content for silage preparation is 60%–70%. If the raw material is too wet, it should be dried in the sun before processing. No water is added initially, but a small amount can be sprinkled when filling up to 50–70 cm. If the corn stover is not too dry, water should be gradually added once the material reaches about half the height. For very dry corn stalks, water should be added as the material reaches a thickness of 50 cm, followed by compaction.
5. Filling and Compaction: The material should be chopped, filled, and compacted continuously. Each layer should be 30–50 cm thick and compacted after each addition. When making yellow silage, adding 0.5%–1% corn flour or 450g of lactic acid bacteria culture per ton of material can improve quality. Urea or formaldehyde can also be added in appropriate proportions.
6. Sealing: After filling, the silo should be sealed immediately. Materials should be packed 30 cm above the surface, covered with plastic film, and then buried with soil 30–50 cm deep. The top should be shaped into a dome to ensure airtight sealing.
7. Management: After storage, drainage ditches should be dug around the silo to prevent rainwater from seeping in. In rainy areas, shelters should be placed over the silos, and regular inspections should be conducted. Any cracks in the dome must be repaired promptly with soil.
8. Opening: Silage corn and sorghum are generally ready for use 30–40 days after storage, while legumes require 2–3 months.
9. Reclaiming: When retrieving the silage, excavate from one end and cut vertically from top to bottom. Avoid fully opening the silo to minimize exposure. Only take what is needed for the day and cover it immediately. If feeding is interrupted for an extended period, reseal the silo using the original method to maintain airtightness.
10. Feeding: Silage is a high-quality, juicy feed. When first introduced to livestock, start with small amounts and gradually increase to allow animals to adapt.
(4) Precautions
The moisture content of the raw materials should be carefully controlled at 60%–70%. Proper compaction and sealing, especially at the corners, are essential. The additives should be evenly sprayed during the production process to ensure consistent results.
(5) Suitable Areas
This technology is suitable for all agricultural regions, particularly those with abundant crop straws and agricultural by-products that are currently underutilized. It offers a sustainable solution for improving feed efficiency and reducing waste.
ASHOWER , https://www.ashower.com