14 - Field-Harvesting Silage

Abstract

Silage is defined as the feed resulting from the storage and fermentation of green or wet crops under anaerobic conditions. Haylage is defined as silage made from forage crops—grasses (such as orchardgrass, and smooth bromegrass) or legumes (such as red clover, alfalfa). Fodder is course grasses such as corn, sorghum, and pearl millet harvested whole (with grain intact), cured in the upright position in the field, and used for animal feed. Silage is a means of preserving succulent roughage and high-quality feed for later feeding. Its main uses are that it saves surplus forages during a given season that would otherwise be wasted, damaged, or lost because insufficient numbers of livestock are available to utilize standing forage; assures a minimum loss of nutrients in the harvesting and conserving processes; and weather conditions or patterns are sometimes factors that dictate the need for preserving forage and fodder as silage. Silage is made from many different crops. Any green crop material that can be brought down to the proper moisture range or any organic material that can be brought up to the proper moisture range can be successfully ensiled.