Question: query about silage production methods.
Answer: silage is the conserved green fodder having moisture content in the range of 65 to 70 per cent. fodder crops rich in soluble carbohydrates are incubated after chaffing for 45-50 days under anaerobic conditions. the fodder crops, such as maize, sorghum, oats, pearl millet, and hybrid napier rich in soluble
carbohydrates are most suitable for fodder ensiling. quality of silage can be improved with the
use of suitable additives such as molasses, urea, salt, formic acid etc. 
• harvest the crop at 30-35 per cent dry matter (dm) stage.
• wilt the harvested fodder to bring down dm to 30-35 per cent, if required.
• chop the fodder into small pieces of 2-3 cm size.
• fill the chopped fodder into the silo.
• press the chopped fodder in the silo layer by layer of 30-45 cm.
characteristic of good quality silage:
• bright, light green yellow or green brown in colour.
• lactic acid odour with no butyric acid and ammonia odour.
• firm texture with softer material.
• moisture should be in range of 65-70 per cent.
• lactic acid 3-14 per cent.
• butyric acid less than 0.2 per cent.
• ph in the range of 4.0-4.2. 
advantage of silage making:
• ensures regular supply of fodder to the dairy animals.
• ensures uniform quality fodder to animals during different seasons.
• silage can be made under almost all weather conditions.
• surplus green fodder can be conserved, minimising wastage.
• feeding silage is an effective tool for the control of parasitic diseases, as the parasites
present in different stages in green fodder are destroyed during ensiling.
• enhances green fodder productivity by improving harvesting intensity.
• enhances livestock productivity by ensuring fodder supply, especially during the lean
period.