Forage Conservation And Utilization
Overview
Grass grows fastest exactly when livestock need it least. Through the rains, pasture around Kaduna, Makurdi or Jos grows thick and lush, far more than a herd can eat in a day, while by January the same fields are bare and brown and animals lose condition fast. Forage conservation is the answer to that mismatch: cutting the wet season's surplus grass and legume at their best and locking that quality in, as hay or silage, so it is still good feed months later when the dry season bites.
The two methods that do this work in almost opposite ways. Hay making dries forage until it is too dry for anything to spoil it. Silage making seals moist forage away from air until fermentation itself keeps it from spoiling. This lesson takes you through both processes step by step, shows you how to tell one from the other by moisture content alone, and covers how conserved forage is actually fed out and checked for quality once the harmattan arrives.
Objectives
- Define forage conservation
- Explain the methods of forage conservation
- Distinguish between hay making and silage making
- Explain the methods of forage utilisation
- State the importance of forage conservation to livestock production
Mind map
This topic is mapped out so you can see how the ideas connect.
Flashcards
Quick recall practice on the facts this topic is tested on.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Forage Conservation And Utilization. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Forage conservation is best described as: A. Growing more pasture during the dry season B. Preserving surplus wet season forage for use when pasture is scarce C. Removing weeds from a pasture D. Fencing a pasture into paddocks Answer: B
- The approximate moisture content of properly cured hay ready for baling is: A. 12 to 15 percent B. 30 to 35 percent C. 50 to 55 percent D. 65 to 70 percent Answer: A
- Silage is preserved mainly by: A. Drying the forage until it is too dry to spoil B. Sealing moist forage away from air so it ferments C. Adding chemical preservatives D. Freezing the chopped forage Answer: B
- Which organisms are responsible for preserving silage through fermentation? A. Moulds B. Lactic acid bacteria C. Nematodes D. Yeasts alone Answer: B
- A sign that stored hay is no longer safe to feed is that it: A. Rustles when handled B. Smells musty and shows grey mould patches C. Is stacked in an open sided barn D. Was cut while still leafy Answer: B
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Revision Questions
Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Forage Conservation And Utilization from previous years
Question 1 Report
Specimen A (Dry groundnut haulm)
(a)i. Outline the procedure for obtaining specimen A.
(ii) State three benefits that farm animals could derive from feeding on specimen A.
Specimen B (Guinea grass)
(b)(i) Mention two each that could be used to propagate specimen B;
(ii) preserve specimen B.
Specimen C (Kitchen knife)
(c) State four of specimen C in animal production
Answer Details
Specimen A - Dry groundnut haulm is the dried above-ground part of the groundnut plant (the stems, vines and leaves) that remains after the pods have been removed. A labelled diagram of the plant it comes from:
(a)(i) Procedure for obtaining Specimen A.
- Harvest the mature groundnut crop by uprooting the whole plants from the field.
- Detach the pods (nuts) from the plants by picking or threshing, leaving the stems, vines and leaves.
- Spread the remaining haulms in the open to dry in the sun (or under shade for slower, greener drying).
- Turn the material over at intervals so that it dries evenly and does not rot or grow mould.
- When it is properly dry, cut or chop it into smaller pieces.
- Pack it into jute bags or a suitable container and store in a dry place until it is needed as feed.
(a)(ii) Three benefits farm animals derive from feeding on Specimen A.
- It is rich in crude protein (groundnut is a legume), which supports growth and body building.
- It is high in fibre (roughage), which promotes rumination and healthy digestion in ruminants.
- It is readily available and stores well, providing valuable fodder during the dry season when green pasture is scarce.
Specimen B - Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), a tall, tufted forage grass.
(b)(i) Two materials used to propagate Specimen B.
- Seeds.
- Vegetative planting material: root or stem splits (slips) taken from the crown or rooted stem cuttings.
(b)(ii) Two methods used to preserve Specimen B.
- Hay making: cutting the grass and drying it to a low moisture content for storage.
- Silage making: chopping the fresh grass and ensiling it under airtight (anaerobic) conditions in a silo.
Specimen C - Kitchen knife, a hand-held cutting tool.
(c) Four uses of Specimen C in animal production.
- Cutting and chopping forage or fodder into smaller pieces for feeding.
- Slaughtering and dressing (skinning and cutting up) farm animals during processing.
- Castration and other minor surgical operations, and cutting the umbilical cord of newborn animals.
- Cutting ropes and opening feed bags during routine handling of animals.
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