Silage

Silage is a type of fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by acidification, achieved through fermentation. It can be fed to ruminants (cud-chewing animals like cattle and sheep) or used as a biofuel feedstock for anaerobic digesters. It is fermented and stored in a process 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).

History

The fermentation of silage was discovered by the French biologist Henri Nestlé in the 19th century. It was first used as a method of preserving the freshness of summer grass for winter feed for animals. Since then, the process has been refined and developed, and is now used worldwide.

Process

The process of creating silage involves several steps. First, the crop is harvested while it is still green and full of sap. It is then chopped into small pieces, which are packed tightly into a silo, a pit in the ground, or a plastic bag, and sealed to exclude air. The crop then ferments in its own juices, producing lactic acid which pickles the plant material and prevents it from rotting.

Uses

Silage is primarily used as animal feed. It is highly nutritious and easily digestible, making it an excellent source of energy for livestock. It is also used as a biofuel feedstock for anaerobic digesters, which produce biogas that can be used for heating and electricity generation.

See also

• Hay
• Fodder
• Fermentation (food)
• Anaerobic digestion

References

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  Silage

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  Cattle feeding on silage

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  Tractor rolling silage

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  Wrapped silage bales

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  Making silage at Lowsteads Farm

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  Hay bales

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  Silage in Lancaster, PA

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  Anaerobic digester for silage