PROCEDURE OF HAY

AND SILAGE
MAKING
NAME: DANISH SHAFIQ
ROLL NO: 24
Introduction to Hay and Silage

Hay :-
Hay is grass, forage crops that are cut, dried and stored to
use as animal food.

Silage :-
Silage is a type of fermented fodder made from green forage
crops. It is prepared by sealing the forage in an airtight environment,
such as a silo where it undergoes a natural fermentation process.
 Procedure of Hay making :-

Cutting :-
The first step is to
cut the forage crop when it is at
proper stage of maturity. Grasses
and similar fodder crops should
be harvested at pre flowering
stage. Leguminous fodder crops
i.e cowpea should be harvested
at flower initiation stage.
 Procedure of Hay making :-

 Raking:-
After the forage crop has
been cut it is raked into
windrows which are about 2
to 3 feet wide and 1 to 2 feet
tall.
 Procedure of Hay making :-

Drying :-
The cut forage
is laid out in the sun as thin
layer as possible to dry. It is
turned periodically until
moisture is 10-15%.Do not
leave the cut forage to dry in
moist environment. May take
2-3 days.
 Procedure of Hay making :-

Tedding :-
Tedding is the
process of fluffing up the
hay in the windrows. This
helps to further exposed
the hay to air and sunlight
to decrease drying time or
to remove any leaves or
other debris that may
have fallen in to the hay.
 Procedure of Hay making :-

Baling :-
Once the hay is
dry enough, it is baled. Baling
is the process of compressing
the hay into bales, which
makes it easier to store and
transport. There are many
different types of bailers but
most common type is square
baler.
Procedure of Hay making :-

STORAGE: Hay should be stored in a dry, well ventilated area. Hay can
be stored in the following ways.

Hay stack on ground

The chopped hay - In some places hay is chopped before use. The
limitation of chopped hay is that this cannot be stored in the open
environment because of the heavy losses by wind and rains
PICTURES:

Hay stack on ground The chopped hay

Procedure of Hay making :-

The baled hay - The baling process makes the compact cubical
bundles of the forages. This reduces the requirement of space in
comparison to loose or chopped hay. The bales may be stored in
open environment or in the barn

The pallets - The compressed product of hay after grinding is known

as pallets. They are cylindrical compact masses of hay which are very
palatable. Palleting reduces feeding loss and storage space.
PICTURES:

The Baled Hay The Pallets

PROCEDURE OF SILAGE MAKING:-

Harvesting of forage:-
The forage should
be harvested at the correct
moisture content, which is
typically between 65 and 70%.
If the moisture content is too
high, the silage will be too wet
and will not ferment properly. If
the moisture content is too low,
the silage will be too dry and
will not be as nutritious.
 Procedure of Silage making:-

Chopping the forage:

The forage should
be chopped into small pieces,
typically no more than 1-3 inches in
length. This will help to ensure that
the silage is packed tightly and that
there are no air pockets.
 Procedure of Silage making:-
Additives:
Additives are available to help maximise the quality of silage produced. There are three
main types of additives:

Sugars/carbohydrates :By adding extra sugar or molasses the crop is more able to produce lactic acid.

Acids: Formic and sulphuric acid are applied at a rate of between 3-5 itres per tonne as the grass is picked
up in the field.

Preservatives: i.e sodium metabisulphite are used. These suppress chemical reactions and allow the
fermentation process more easily.
Procedure of Silage making:-

Filling the silo:

The chopped forage should be
packed tightly into the silo. This will
help to expel air from the silage and
prevent spoilage
Procedure of Silage making:-

STORAGE: The silage should be stored in a cool, dark place. The

silage will be ready to feed to livestock in 6-8 weeks.

Pile - In this type of silo there is no need of construction. Only a pile

of chopped fodder is made on a ground and it is pressed with the help
of tractor. This type of silo is recommended for short term
preservation of fodder.

Silage Bunker - Silage Bunker is most commonly used type of silo. This is
rectangular structure which is open from one side or both sides. On both
sides of walls of wood, steel, concrete are constructed. Dimensions of
bunker depends upon the amount of fodder to be stored.
Procedure of Silage making:-

Baled Silage - This is the most modern way of silage making in which
fodder is preserved in the form of bale. Fodder is converted into bale
via machine called silage baler and this bale is then tightly wrapped
with polyethylene sheet with the help of wrapper. This bale can be
easily transported.
 PICTURES:

Pile of Silage Silage Bunker

Baled Silage
ANY QUESTION?