SILAGE

AGSC3018
Agriculture in Primary Schools

Dr. William Molllineau

 WHAT IS SILAGE?
• A method used to preserve the pasture for domesticated animals to eat when the
pasture isn’t suitable, for instance, during dry season.

• The pasture grass is pickled or fermented resulting in a high moisture fodder.

• It can be fed to ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats).

• Any green crop can be used.

 THE SILAGE PROCESS
1. Determine the amount of
silage needed.
(Consider: number of
livestock, feeding period, silo
space)
4. Dry to correct moisture
levels.
(Use the ball method and
microwave oven method as
needed)
3. Harvest and chop the
2. Build the silo.
forage.
(Types: small containers, bags,
(Proper moisture and chop
trench, stack, bunker)
2cm -4cm for animal
digestion)
5. Fill, compact and cover the
silo.
(Cover with plastic before 6. Seal the silo.
filling, don’t leave exposed to (Quality check after 60-70
air, weigh down with heavy days)
items)
 EXAMPLES OF SILAGE

• Corn
• Legumes
• Grasses
• Sugarcane
 References
• From harvest to feed: Understanding silage management. Penn State Extension. (n.d.).
https://extension.psu.edu/from-harvest-to-feed-understanding-silage-management

• Silage making for small scale farmers. (n.d.).

https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadq897.pdf

• What is silage?. Science Learning Hub. (n.d.).

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/2006-what-is-silage