(i)
Forage should be cut when about 50% of the plants have flowered.
Cutting should be done when at least 3 days of continuous sunshine is expected.
After cutting,the crop is spread every day on the ground to dry.
Dry 2-3 days depending on the environmental temperature.
Dry the crop under controlled conditions in order to retain its nutritive value and the original crop colour.
Use tripod stand incase the weather conditions are not favourable to dry the crop.
Rapid drying is recommended to ensure high quality hay since slow drying results in oxidation of soluble carbohydrates hence poor quality.
The hay is windrowed.
The hay is bailed,gathered and tied.
Hay bales are then stored in a shed out of reach be rain,water and sunshine.
(ii)
The silo is prepared before harvesting crop.
Size of silo depends on quantity of crop to be cut.
The crop is cut at the appropriate stage 8-10cm above the ground level for regrowth.
The crop is wilted 6-12 hours to above 65-75% moisture content.
The crop is chopped up and put in the silo.
Compression of the material is done every 10-12 cm layer.
Fill the silo as rapidly as possible/ less than 2 days.
Ensiled material should have 'ridge' or hump appearance when ensiling is completed.
The temperature in the silo should be checked regularly during ensiling period.
If the temperature is higher than 32.2°C,water should be added and compaction reduced and if the temperature is below 32.2°C,compaction should be increased and dry matter or molasses added.
The ensiled material is covered with polythene sheet or a layer of dry grass to protect it from water and air.
The silo is covered with a thick layer of soil to maintain a ridge appearance.
A trench is then dug all around the silo to drain off rain water.
Belan answered the question on February 14, 2019 at 10:55
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