The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1913-09-19
THE SILO FOR. ECONOMIC PRO.
DUCTION.
BY Edgar H. Clark.


you will see desire on the part of
progressive farmers to improve their
places with all conveniences that tend
to either lessen labor, lower expenses
or add to the productiveness OF their
land or stock. Under these conditions
the silo, combining as it does all three
of these very important features and
having behind it the endorsements of
the United States government and
state experiment stations, is making
rapid progress and at no distant date
will establish itself as part of the nee
essary equipment on every farm
where cattle are kept.
Many farmers say I'VE do not doubt
that the silo will make feeding handy
during the winter. But will it pay?
viii not it's cost and filling more than
offset all it's advantages? In winter
about the only work we have is to take
valuable as we would be idle other
wise. And then, what about the food
value of silage? We do not intend to
invest in silo simply because it is
handy. We dant to know just how ii
will make money for u.s."
The answer in nut shell to all such
AhHuAA iSo 10 tiot oIIo6C SuA OC plO-
duced for about $500 per ton and is
worth $500 to $500 in feeding value
There are other advantages in feeding
silage which should be explained to
those not familiar with Il.
Mr.. c.. H. Human, formerly of the
Kansas State Agricultural College,
gives $500 ton as an average esti-
mate for the total cost of production,
h q iS Of ho
filling the silo. In figuring this cost
it must be remembered that the cost
of cultivation, cutting, and hauling,
will be the same whether fodder or
silage is fed. Prof A. l.. Raecker of
the Nebraska station, figures the total
cost of silage at $1.95. AS stated be-
fore, however, many farmers prefer
to bring the fodder in from the field
during the winter when there is no
other work. The filling of the silo
then is the only extra expense. Every
farmer who feeds corn fodder from
the shock knows that large part of
its food value is lost through expo
sure to the weather. With the silo in
use this loss is eliminated. The silage
is completely protected from the
weather.
III tHC Iidllcl VI SCOuOluN Oh space
1t is well TO remember that a ton of
sllage occupies from one-eighth to
one-tenth as much space as a ton of
hay. This means that a shed or loft
holding one hundred tons of hay must
be about ten times as large as a silo
holding the same amount of silage
The farmer who is expecting to build
storage for feed will find it much
cheaper to construct a silo. Then
there is another advantage The de-
mand for hay has made it's market
value very high. BY using silage in
the ration the consumption of hay will
be lessened and the farmer may put
the larger part OF the money usually
spent for hay to the account of silo
cost. The original investment on the
average size silo is from $500 to $3.50.
This size will hold over 100 tons.
There is at least profit of $3.50 per
ton in the silage at net profit of
$25O to $500 for each time it is filled.
We find then that the original in
vestment in building a silo does not
require large expenditure of money.
1T only requires good management
ana conserving resources already at
hand.
NC COSl VI MAINTAINING S1IO 1S
small. A coat of paint when built and
afterwards as needed is about the only
expense. The silo is built of much
better grade of wood than the average
house or barn. It's iron parts should
be of the best material and il 1t is
properly set up there is no need for
many repairs
The succulence and palatability of
silage are important factors which
must not be overlooked in considering
its feeding value Its approach to
June pasture means much to the
dairyman who realizes that without
this feed he has an enormous shrink
ase IN milk when the cows are taken
on pasture and put on dry feed.
The demand for cream and butter
during the last few years has been
so great that no farmer can afford to
ignore this important part of his work.
And as the highest prices are paid
during the winter when the milk Weld
owing to the scarcity Of green food, is