The lack of green forage during winter and spring makes silage an excellent solution to ensure a steady supply of nutritious feed for cows. After 45 days of proper fermentation, the silage stored in the pit becomes soft, aromatic, and highly nutritious. When feeding silage to dairy cattle, there are three key factors to consider:
**Silage Quality Check**
First, assess the color. High-quality silage should be blue-green or yellow-green. If it turns black or brown, it may have spoiled or become moldy, and such portions should be removed before feeding. Next, check the smell. Good silage has a sweet and sour aroma, similar to fermented fruits like pears. A strong sour odor indicates mold, and corrective actions should be taken before feeding. Finally, feel the texture. Quality silage should be soft and moist. If it feels sticky or dry and hard, it may be spoiled and needs to be treated before use.
**Feeding Method**
When introducing silage to cows, start with small amounts and gradually increase the quantity. It's best to mix silage with other roughages like soybean hay, yew grass, or cereal grass. Silage can lower the pH in the cow’s rumen, increasing the risk of acidosis. To prevent this, adding 3% baking soda to the concentrate can help neutralize acids, promote digestion, and boost feed intake, which ultimately improves milk production. Always mix silage evenly with hay to avoid selective eating by the cows.
**Feeding Amounts**
For a 500 kg cow producing 20 liters of milk daily, feed 20 kg of silage and 5 kg of hay. Cows producing over 30 liters should get 30 kg of silage and about 8 kg of hay. For a 400 kg cow yielding 15 liters, provide 15 kg of silage and 5 kg of hay. Cows producing less than 15 liters can be fed 15 kg of silage and 10 kg of hay. Avoid feeding silage 15 days before and after calving. Dry cows should receive 10 kg of silage plus some hay. Breeding cattle should get less silage, ideally under 8 kg, while young animals should be given little or no silage. Proper management ensures better health, productivity, and long-term sustainability in dairy farming.
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