Page
Preparation of Feed for Storage
Completion requirements
View
The preparation of feed for storing will depend on the type and quantity of the feed that is working with, as well as the specific procedures that are usually followed in the specific workplace. In this section, we will discuss a few preparation practices for a feed before it can be stored.
Roughage can be prepared on one of three methods in order the stored the product:
|
Hay |
To make hay plants must be cut and the moisture content of the plant material must be reduced from 70-80% to 15-20%. A small amount of fermentation and respiration during the drying process gives a distinctive smell to hay. When the material is dry enough it is pressed into bales and can be stored in a dry place for long periods of time. |
|
Silage |
Silage is made by cutting the whole plant together with the seeds into small pieces. The plant material is then compiled into a big heap and compressed by heavy vehicles driving over it. After the heap is formed the material is covered by a layer of salt to protect it from bacteria. Finally, the heap is covered with canvas to keep oxygen out. Fermentation takes place due to the availability of sugars from the seeds of the plant. The fermented product can be stored in this heap for several months. This is the only way to store green feed for animals. |
|
Pellets |
Roughage can also be compressed into pellets to store it. This is one of the best forms to store it in because the roughage is more compressed and thus took up less space. This process makes roughage more expensive because it needs some extra processing. Pellets are usually made out of good quality hay and are used for supplementary feeding for grazing animals. |
Energy feeds such as grains are best stored in their natural state. Not only give the shell of the grain some protection to the feed, but grains are the most compact in their natural state and thus took up less space than when it is crushed or milled.
Protein feeds often need some type of treatment to protect the proteins from degrading before they can be stored for long times. These processes, like heat treatment, require big machinery and operations and are very expensive to perform. Fattening unit owners rather buy pre-treated protein feeds than treat them themselves.
Storage and Control of Animal Feeds
It is very important to take good care when storing animal feeds. Feed is the single most expensive item in the running of a fattening. Feeds that are not properly stored and controlled may get damaged and it can result in a big financial loss for the fattening unit.
The storage of the feed depends on the type of feed that needs to be stored, as well as the physical resources at the fattening unit that can be used to store the feed.
Roughage is usually stored in the form of big bales. This should preferably be packed in a barn with a cement floor. The barn must be cleaned out before the time and the floor and walls must be treated in order to kill all possible insects and pests that may be harmful to the feed. Great care must be taken to keep the bales of roughages dry, because dampness may cause the feed to catch on fire. Mice and rats are a big problem with the storage of roughage. The urine of these animals gives a bad smell to the roughage and the animals may refuse to eat it.
The best way to store grains is in their natural form. A silo is the best place to store grains in because it can then easily be treated against insects by blowing in poisonous smoke at the bottom which circulates through to the top. If no silo is available, the grain should be sacked into bags and stacked in a barn with a cement floor. As in the case of roughage, the barn should be cleaned and treated. When grains get wet they started to ferment and fungi will grow on it, if this happens the feed is no longer suitable to be used for animal feed.
Protein feeds, salt, minerals and other additives are usually bought in bags and should also be stored in a clean and dry facility. Medicine, antibiotics, growth promoters and vitamins are purchased in very small amounts and are expensive. These products should be locked away and handled by a responsible person.
The control of the feeds must be done by a responsible person because it is a very serious part of successful feed storage. Only enough feed for about three weeks should be purchased at a time, especially if it is products that do not stay fresh for long. The first in first out principle must be used to control the entrance and exit of the feeds from the storage unit. This will ensure that the oldest feed is used first. Care must be taken to prevent the mixing of different feeds because it is impossible to separate them again in most cases. Each type of feed should be packed on its own heap with a defined space between the one heap and the other.
The quantity of feed that leave and enter the storage unit must be noted each day to ensure that it will be noted early if there is a shortage of feed. Shortages must be prevented so that the animals can receive feed at the usual feeding times.