The food given to farm animals will affect their health. Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the type of food provided. When you are aware of the importance of providing quality food, it is possible to ask which one is better grass silage vs hay. In simple terms, grass silage is pasture that is preserved, so that food can still be given to cattle even when the weather is extreme. Meanwhile, hay is a preserved forage made from grass that has been cut and dried for animal feed.
All about Silage
Silage is animal feed that has been fermented to feed cattle or sheep so that during the dry season, the food supply for cattle is sufficient. Silage can use grass or other plants (such as rye or corn) that are cut into pieces, then fermented and compacted so that the silage is ready to be fed as animal feed.
Storage of silage that retains moisture aims to maintain a higher percentage of nutrients than choosing a dry storage method. The silage process will not add any nutrients, but it does play a role in preserving the existing nutrients. Silage can be given as fodder during the dry season so that the health of cows and sheep is maintained. Which is better food for cattle? Live?
Silage is a preserved forage, which consists of compacted grass for further storage in airtight conditions in silos—the process of making this silage without drying it first. Silage can also be made from other types of forage. The ensiling process that occurs allows the grass’s natural sugars to be fermented by microbial activity.
The fermentation process of water-soluble carbohydrates will produce organic acids, such as acetic acid and lactic acid. The acid that accumulates in the packaged forage will make the pH of the mixture drop to the point where conditions are unfavorable for microbial growth. In these conditions, the forage is ready to be stored. The process generally takes about twenty-one days. Next, the bales are wrapped in plastic to prevent any possible air from entering.
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Silage is indeed made from materials that are more easily digested by the digestive system of cattle. This silage is also made to be weather-independent, so food supplies remain safe during dry seasons or extreme weather. The technique of making silage has indeed improved over the last time.
It is now possible to produce high-quality silage regularly. This will make silage, making time more efficient. As a result, it can reduce the need to buy feed so that profits can increase. Ease of making silage sometimes also raises the question of grass silage vs hay, which is better?
All about Hay
Hay is a preserved forage made from grass that has been cut and dried for animal feed. The moisture content in fresh grass is approximately 80%, so the value for Dry Matter (DM) is around 20%. The process that must be done is, the forage pieces are dried in the field until the remaining moisture content is about 12% and the Dry Matter (DM) value of the grass becomes 88%.
In the next process, the hay will be milled; the milled hay has less moisture content. Good hay will have a better taste than silage. This is because quality hay has a high sugar content and also reduces protein breakdown.
Difference Between Silage and Hay
Silage and hay are popular ways to feed cattle when they are unable to graze during winter or other extreme weather conditions. Silage and hay are forage preservation consisting of grass. Although sales and hay have similarities, the two types of animal feed certainly have differences. When we try to compare grass silage vs hay, it can be seen from various aspects. Here are some differences between siamese and hay:
- Based on the preparation in the manufacturing process. In preparation for making silage, grass will be cut and tightly closed to induce microbial activity. While in preparation for making hay, the grass will be cut and dried in the fields.
- Based on the manufacturing process. The main difference between silage and hay is the manufacturing process, hay is made through the process of cutting and drying grass, so it can be used as animal feed. However, the process of making silage is through fermentation which will then be stored in a silo before being used as food for cattle. This silage is in the form of compacted grass, then stored in an airtight condition in a silo without drying it first. Meanwhile, hay is the grass that is cut and dried.
- Based on the preservation process. Silage is stored in a bale, then wrapped in a tight plastic wrap. The silage can also be stored in silos until the silage is ready to be fed as food to cattle or sheep. Meanwhile, hay is stored in bales.
- Based on the manufacturing technique. Hay is a traditional technique or method for forage conservation which was later replaced by silage.
- Based on water content. The moisture content of silage is 40% to 60%. Wet silage conditions can cause spoilage, so silage can lose nutrients. Meanwhile, hay has a moisture content of 12% to 40%.
- Based on the content of the value of Dry Matter (DM). The difference between grass silage vs hay can also be seen from the content of Dry Matter or DM. In silage, the dry matter value is 40% to 60%. Meanwhile, the dry matter content in hay is about 82%.
- Based on how cattle digest. Hay is not digested by cattle because cattle do not digest hay. Meanwhile, the silage will be partially digested by cattle. Silage is also easily digested by cattle.
The conclusion from grass silage vs hay is that this hay is dry grass with a moisture or moisture content of 12 percent, which will not be digested by cattle. Meanwhile, silage is fermented grass that contains about 40% to 60% water content and is easily digested by cattle. Silage and hay have different levels of nutritional content, different manufacturing processes, and different resistances.
So, which type of food is better? This goes back again to the type of cattle that will be fed, the environmental conditions of the cattle, and the digestive system of the cattle.