Silage

Difference Between Hay and Silage

Difference Between Hay and Silage

The primary difference between hay and silage is that the former is grass that's cut and dried to use as animal fodder. Silage is fermented and stored in a silo before used as food. ... Storage methods: Hay is mowed, dried and stored in bales. Silage is compacted and stored in air-tight conditions without being dried.

  1. Which is better hay or silage?
  2. Is silage and hay the same?
  3. Why can't horses eat silage?
  4. What are the advantages of silage over hay?
  5. Is silage cheaper than hay?
  6. Which crop is best for silage?
  7. What is the purpose of silage?
  8. How much silage does a cow eat a day?
  9. What does good silage look like?
  10. Will silage hurt horses?
  11. What animals can eat silage?
  12. Is corn silage good for horses?

Which is better hay or silage?

Well-Known Member. Hay tends to loose leaves in the drying and bailing process, so silage tends to be 5/10% better in DMD.

Is silage and hay the same?

Good hay is more palatable than silage due to the high sugar content and the reduced protein breakdown. The breakdown of hay in the rumen also results in a more synchronised release of energy and protein. ... Silage is made from more digestible material and is not so reliant on the weather.

Why can't horses eat silage?

As I understand it so far, the big problems are: most horses don't like it; those that do eat it too quickly leaving long "empty" times; the protein content is too high and could cause problems in susceptible horses; it is acidic and can cause colic and other digestive disturbances; there are documented cases of poor ...

What are the advantages of silage over hay?

Silage has several advantages over hay as a mechanically harvested product. Silage has more nutrients preserved per acre because there is less field loss. Silage is also less affected by weather damage because the forage does not lie in the field drying.

Is silage cheaper than hay?

We find it is the cheapest way to produce 20+ tons of feed per acre. But silage maybe 30% water and your hay might be 9% so figure cost on a dry matter. Also rain dosn't affect silage harvest like it dose a dry ready to bale hay field. Silage equipment is not cheap.

Which crop is best for silage?

The fodder crops, such as maize, sorghum, oats, pearl millet, and hybrid napier rich in soluble carbohydrates are most suitable for fodder ensiling. Quality of silage can be improved with the use of suitable additives such as molasses, urea, salt, formic acid etc.

What is the purpose of silage?

Silage is pasture grass that has been 'pickled'. It is a method used to preserve the pasture for cows and sheep to eat later when natural pasture isn't good, like in the dry season. The grasses are cut and then fermented to keep as much of the nutrients (such as sugars and proteins) as possible.

How much silage does a cow eat a day?

Minimum roughage requirement

Minimum fresh silage (KG/day)Minimum hay/straw (KG/day)
Dairy cow (giving 30 litres/day)25 (4.5t) (1)5.8 (1.0t)
Suckler cow (550 KG dry cow)10.2 (1.8t)2.3 (0.4t)

What does good silage look like?

Physical characteristics like smell, texture and colour can be used but evaluating pH and fermentation acids gives better feedback. ... Silage with a pH of 3.5-4.2 indicates excellent fresh acidic/sweet silage, 4.2-4.5 is good acidic, 4.5-5.0 fair less acidic and above 5.0 poor pungent/rancid smelling silage.

Will silage hurt horses?

Although baleage, haylage and silage can be fed to horses, it should be done with caution. Baleage, haylage and silage can be very nutrient dense and contains microbes and potential probiotics that can affect the gastrointestinal microbe population.

What animals can eat silage?

Silage (/ˈsaɪlɪdʒ/) is a type of fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by acidification, achieved through fermentation. It can be fed to cattle, sheep and other such ruminants (cud-chewing animals).

Is corn silage good for horses?

Silage is chopped forage that retains its succulence through anaerobic fermentation. Silage usually contains grain plants such as corn. ... When preserved properly, silage is an acceptable feed for horses. Silage should be green or greenish-brown, be uniform in texture and moisture content, and have a pleasant smell.

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