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Stop nutrient loss: smart silage for healthier goats
A healthy goat farm starts with quality roughage. The feed quality directly affects animal health and productivity. While most farmers focus on silage ensiling, unloading is just as important. Poor unloading can cause nutrient loss, heating and mold growth, wasting your feed and investment.
Read our tips on how to optimize silage management!
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Risks of feed heating in TMR
Improper silage management can lead to heating, which reduces nutritional value. The consequences?
- Loss of 5-10% nutrients
- Reduced dry matter intake (up to 20%)
- Formation of toxins and reduced feed palatability
The result? Lower milk production, health risks and reduced profit. That’s something you want to avoid!
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How to prevent nutrient loss?
Once silage is exposed to oxygen, bacteria, yeasts, and molds become active. The less air enters the silage, the better its nutritional value remains.
The temperature of roughage on the feed alley may be 5 to 10 degrees higher than the outside temperature. All roughage with a higher temperature difference suffers feed value loss and yeast and mold formation.
Compact ensiling
Avoid trapping air during ensilingClean cuts when unloading
Keep the silage face tight and smoothFeed regularly
Prevent roughage from sitting too long and heating up:format(webp))
How to choose the right acid?
Adding organic acids to the ration can help prevent heating. Acids slow down microorganism growth and prevent temperature rises, keeping your feed palatable and consumption stable.
Not all acids work the same way. The best results come from a combination of:
- Formic acid: Inhibits bacteria and yeasts.
- Propionic acid: Strong against molds.
- Benzoic acid: Extends feed shelf life.
Add the acid when there are a few hundred kilos of feed already in the mixer wagon. This ensures even distribution throughout the ration.
Recommended by our advisor
Conservation of rations, corn and grass silage.By adding MS Wetfeed BE+ to the mixer, you can inhibit the growth of microorganisms and prevent the development of waste products, which helps keep the feed temperature stable and preserves its quality. It is also recommended to treat the cut surface when feed rate is limited.:format(webp)){kind=logo}
