SILAGE PREPARATION

Due to land scarcity, farm animals are competing with humans for food. This has left the farmer wondering how to balance feeds and food on his small land.

Farmers have learnt how to survive by making silage from green feeds and storing them for use during times of scarcity.

A Farmer chopping green feeds for silage Preparation.

Green feeds consisting of nappier grass, maize stalks and even legumes are chopped into small pieces of about an inch in length.

Feeds chopped into small pieces

Molasses mixed with water in the ration of 1:3 is added to facilitate fermentation.

Mixing of molasses and water in the ration of 1:3

Mixing of chopped feeds with molasses

The ready feeds are then stacked into polythene bags for storage.

The polythene bag used for storage

The feeds are ready for use after 21 days for a period of up to four years after preparation.

The feed is them stored in a cool dry place away from the rain

Silage has helped farmers to continuously feed their animals with quality feeds during times of drought or scarcity.