Due to its high protein content, maize silage increases milk production in dairy cows. Silage is conserved fodder in airtight conditions to enable fermentation.
Unfortunately, most farmers don’t know how to make silage. 60% of preserved silage rots. Feeding rot silage exposes the animal to aflatoxin, bloating, delayed heat, or even miscarriage.
What makes silage rot
Silage should always be preserved under anaerobic conditions to enhance proper fermentation. Any entry of oxygen in the silage burn turns an anaerobic process into an aerobic one, leading to rotting. This is why silage should be well compacted—to remove all oxygen. In tube silage, cuts and small holes from mole attacks majorly cause rot.
The other leading cause of rotting is inadequate silage preparation. It is wrong to put fodder first on the tube or burn, followed by “watering molasses solution” and compacting.
Read Also: How to Make Napier Silage and Its Importance in Dairy Farming
Although it seems good, it’s wrong. As compaction proceeds layer after layer, more molasses solution is added than required. At the top layer, all the solution used settles at the bottom, rotting the whole layer.
Instead, premix the chopped fodder and the solution before compacting. Sprinkle the molasses solution sparingly to attain a dry matter content of at least 30%. That is, if pressed in a feast, no solution can ooze out. After the Premix, compact and ensile.
A good silage does not require additives such as molasses, maize germ or wheat bran. Chop and cut and milk stage compact well and ensile.
Negative impact of feeding rotten silage
Feeding rotten silage can kill your cow. Rotten silage has high levels of aflatoxins, which, depending on concentration, can cause mortality.
It also lowers milk shelf life. Feeding rotten silage has negative impacts, including miscarriages, delayed heat, bloating, and reduced milk production.
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