Scientific and Technical Experiment for Manufacturing Silage in Jordan

Abstract

Silage is a feed material that has been widely used in previous periods because it has an effective and useful role in feeding animals, saving in the cost of feed and increasing productivity. From the scientific-practical view it is considered as a feed material preserved in an anaerobic environment that ferments sugars and carbohydrates and thus produces organic acids (lactic, citric, and butyric acids), where organic acids work to keep feed material for long periods. A lot of practical experiments have been done to reach the best high-protein percentage mixture. This extension project was designed and implemented in 2017 by the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with farmers and scientific research stations of the National Center for Agricultural Research. Ten feed mixtures were prepared with the necessary laboratory tests to determine the quality of the produced silage. Mixings of the fodders of alfalfa and corn were made with varying percentages of the two components so that the total does not exceed 100%. In addition, 5 mixtures were made of the first five mixtures, with a total of only 200%. After laboratory testing, the highest protein percentage was found to be 15.25% when fodders of corn mixed 100% with alfalfa by 100%. It is recommended to make this mixture for livestock breeders, especially cow breeders without adding molasses and industrial additives so that the highest yield is achieved, saving in the cost of feed and increasing productivity. This short scientific article aims at presenting a technical and scientific experiment for the production of the best silage by the highest protein level through the use of various mixtures of corn and alfalfa.