Silage
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). The fermentation and storage process is called 'ensiling', 'ensilage' or 'silaging', and is usually made from grass crops, including maize, sorghum or other cereals, using the entire green plant (not just the grain).
Etymology
The word 'silage' is derived from the Greek word 'siros', which means 'pit for holding grain'. This term was later adopted by the French in the mid-19th century as 'silage'. The process of storing and fermenting in a silo is known as 'ensiling', a term derived from the French word 'ensiler', meaning 'to store in a silo'.
Process
The process of creating silage involves several stages. First, the crop is cut, then it is compacted to create anaerobic conditions and stored in a silo, wrapped in plastic, or placed in a plastic bag. The crop remains in the silo for a period of weeks to months until it is fermented to a stable condition. The fermentation process, which is anaerobic, reduces the pH of the crop and this helps to preserve the silage.
Related Terms
- Fodder: Food, especially dried hay or straw, for cattle and other livestock.
- Fermentation: The chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms.
- Anaerobic: Relating to, involving, or requiring an absence of free oxygen.
- pH: A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- Cereal: A grass producing a cereal grain, grown as an agricultural crop.
- Ruminant: A mammal of the order Ruminantia which includes cattle, sheep, antelopes, deer, giraffes, and their relatives.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Silage
- Wikipedia's article - Silage
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