The right silage for the right species

Producers and animal nutritionists often speculate about which silage is best for which animal species. This question requires a scientific approach to reach the correct answer.

- By Richardt Venter

Two major steps have to be taken properly right from the get-go: Make sure the silage crop is ensiled correctly, and that the feed satisfies the requirements of the animals you want to feed - this includes meeting their basic requirements in terms of protein, fibre, and energy. Look at what your animals need most before deciding on the crop you want to ensile. For example, the requirements of lambs being fed are different from that of dairy cows.

Fodder flow planning usually provides the answer. Unfortunately, this basic element of annual planning on a livestock farm is often neglected. Fodder flow planning dictates the farm's total nutrient requirements for the year. This includes, among others, crops you can grow and store yourself, and those that must be purchased.

Usefulness of silage