3 Forage Conservation Techniques

November 1, 2023 Agric4Profits

Forage conservation is one of the methods of pasture management. Excess forage is conserved during the period of abundance to be used during periods of scarcity.

In order to avoid excessive spending on the purchase of expensive concentrate feeds, farmers harvest forages during the peak periods of growth and preserve them in form of hay, silage, or stacks.

Although the quality of these conserved forages varies greatly, they are reliable methods used in the livestock industry to address the issue of feed scarcity.

Forage conservation techniques are essential practices used in agriculture to preserve and store high-quality feed for livestock during periods when fresh forage is scarce. These techniques help ensure a continuous and nutritious food supply for animals throughout the year.

One common method is haymaking, where fresh forage is cut, dried, and baled to create hay. This technique involves proper timing to cut the forage during its optimal growth stage, followed by drying it to an appropriate moisture level to prevent mold or spoilage.

The resulting hay can be stored for an extended period and serves as a valuable source of nutrients for livestock, especially during winter months or dry seasons.

Another widely used technique is silage making, which involves fermenting chopped forage in airtight conditions to produce silage. This process preserves the forage by creating an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms.

Silage is an excellent option for preserving forage with higher moisture content, such as legumes and grasses, and it retains its nutritional value well, making it a valuable feed source for livestock, particularly during periods of scarcity.

Furthermore, baleage is a technique that combines aspects of both haymaking and silage making. It involves baling forage at a higher moisture content than traditional hay, which initiates a fermentation process within the bale.

This method allows for the preservation of the forage’s nutritional quality, similar to silage, while providing the convenience of baled storage.

Implementing these forage conservation techniques is vital for ensuring a stable and consistent food supply for livestock throughout the year.

Effectively preserving forage, farmers can mitigate the impact of seasonal fluctuations, maintain the health and productivity of their animals, and contribute to the overall success of their agricultural operations.

3 Forage Conservation Techniques

1. Hay

Hay is dry forage formed after wilting, sun drying, turning, and packaging of the dry forage material. The packaging process can be done either with a baling machine or manually using a hand. Hay is the most common method of forage conservation. It has the following advantages over silage:

It is easier and faster to make compared to silage;

It has high dry matter content;

It requires less labor than silage;

It is cheaper than silage;

It can be done anywhere provided the farmer is experienced;

It provides bulkiness in the rumen which aids the rumen micro-organisms.

2. Silage

Silage is fermented forage used for supplementing livestock either throughout the year or during the period of feed scarcity. It requires high technical manpower and is more expensive than hay, especially in intensively managed farms.

However, it has the following advantages:

It is more qualitative than hay;

It has high acceptability by livestock than hay provided it is well prepared;

It is independent of weather;

It can be integrated with other farm operations such as mowing and grazing;

It can smoother weed seeds;

It can easily be degraded by rumen microbes.

3. Stacked Hay

This refers to dry forage prepared by reducing moisture content while the forage is in the field. The difference between stack hay and hay is that stack hay is normally kept for temporary use whereas hay can be stored for years without spoiling.

This type of hay is commonly seen in rural areas where farmers store hay from their crops such as cowpea and groundnut haulms. It is mostly seen on top of trees and rooftops in villages and along the road. Stacked hay has the following advantages:

It is most suitable for smallholder livestock enterprises:

It does not require much labor to prepare;

It requires less space than hay and silage;

It supplies livestock with the much-required energy and protein during critical periods;

It is free from fire outbreaks which may ravage the livestock industry.