As long as we know, maize is one of the basic ingredients of animal feed that is often used. This is seen in line with the increase of its production in the agricultural industry. It is used as the basic ingredient of animal feed because the production level is more stable, so it is easy and cheap to obtain.
Well, in this review, we will discuss how maize as animal feed becomes a business opportunity. Let’s check it below!
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About Maize
As a cereal crop, it is a plant that all parts of it can be used as primary ingredients for animal feed. Like the seeds, after being peeled, they can be given in the form of rations to poultry such as chickens and ducks. Then, after being processed into silage, the dried leaves and stems can be given to cows. Or the fermented part of the maize cob for ruminants.
Maize is used as a raw material for animal feed because of its high nutritional content. The nutritional composition includes 60-80% carbohydrates, 10% protein, and 5% fat. The large percentage of carbohydrate/starch content will make the feed easier to digest. There are also Xanthophyll compounds in starch which will also add to the dark yellow color of chicken feet and eggs. In addition, it also contains lower levels of calcium and phosphorus, making it easier to digest.
Shelf Life Of Maize As Animal Feed
Maize plants are a solution for animal feed when a prolonged dry season comes. Straw from the remaining dried leaves of maize can be preserved by drying in the sun; the remaining stems or cobs can also be stored in the form of hay. Maize kernels can also be consumed immediately after being peeled.
To store it as animal feed is also not difficult. This is because the crude fiber content is relatively low, so it is not easily stale. You only need to use silage film from Silopak as the packaging; the premium quality of this Silopak film can last in all conditions for more than 18 months. However, the nutritional value of this maize will not decrease.
How To Make Maize Fodder For Animal Feed
Before being given to livestock, it must be processed according to the needs of livestock. One form of the processed feed is maize fodder. This maize fodder is all parts of the maize plant that are still 14 days old after planting. Usually given to livestock as forage in fresh conditions. Here’s how to make it:
- Prepare a seedling tub with a hole in the bottom. Use the principle that the water does not stagnate.
- Soak the seeds in water for 12 hours.
- After soaking, sow the seeds into the seedling tub and cover the tub with cloth or paper to maintain the humidity.
- Don’t forget to keep watering.
- The seeds will begin to germinate on the second day. And the root length reaches 2cm on the 10th day.
- Harvest on days 11-14 by rolling the seeds up to the roots
- When finished, the maize fodder is ready to be given to livestock.
If you are going to do fodder business, you only need two weeks to get 10 kg of maize fodder. For longer shelf life, you can dry it first so that the water content is reduced. And as usual, the provision of the fodder as animal feed must be given gradually so that livestock can also adapt.
The Role Of Maize In The Livestock Industry
The need as a basic ingredient of animal feed is influenced by the existence of the livestock industry and the demand for livestock products because the more developed the business of making animal feed, the greater the development of the livestock industry. So, as long as the demand for milk, eggs, meat, or other processed livestock products is still high, the demand for maize will continue to grow.
Well, from some of the reviews above, we can conclude that it is indeed the right choice as an alternative to animal feed that has high nutritional value and is easy to obtain. Of course, as a business opportunity, this maize-based animal feed is also very promising.