The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-03-09
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

With modern changes on the farm
you will see desire on the part O
progressive farmers to improve thei
places with all cOnveniences that tent
to either lessen the labor. lower the
expense CT add to the productiveness
of their land or stock. Under these
conditions the silo, combining as il
does all three of these very import.
tant features and having behind it the
| endorsements of the United STATES
! government and state experiment sta
tions, is making rapid progress and al
no distant date will establish itself
as a part of the necessary equipment
Of every farm where cattle are kert.
Many farmers say. I'VE do not doubt
that the silo will make feeding handy
during the winter. But will it pay?
Will not its cost and filling more than
offset all its advantages In winter
about the only work we have is to
take care of our stock. Our time is
not valuable as We would be idle 9TH
erwise. And then, what about the
food value of silage? We do not in
tend to invest in silo simnly because
it is handy We want to know Just
how it will make money for us"
The answer in nutshell to all such
inquiries is that silage can be produc-
ed for about $500 per tone 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 it.
Mr.. c. II. Human, formerly of the
Kansas state agricultural college, gives
$500 a ton as an average estimate for
the total cost of production, that is
cultivation of the corn and filling the
silo. In figuring this cost it must be
remembered that the cost of cultiya-
ton, cutting and hauling, will be The
same whether fodder or silage is fed
Prof. A. l.. Hacker, of the Nebraska
station figures the total cost of silage
at $1,95. AS stated before, however,
many farmers prefer to bring the fod-
der in from the field during the win
ter when there is no other work The
filling of the silo then is the only ex-
ira expense. Every farmer who feeds
corn fodder from the shock knows that
a large part of it's food value is lost
through exposure to the weather. With
the silo in use this loss is eliminated.
The silage is completely protected
from the weather.
In the matter of economy of space
it is well to remember that a ten of
Stage occupies from one-eighth to one
tenth as much space as 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 con-
struct a silo. Then there is another
advantage. The demand for hay has
made its market value very high BY
using silage in the ration the cons,lmp-
ton of hay will be lessened and the
farmer may put the larger part of the
money usually spent for hay ON the
account Of sio cost. The original in
yestment on the average size silo is
from $500 to $3.50. This silo will hold
over 100 tons. There is at least
profit of $3.50 PER ton in the silage at
a net profit of $3.50 to $500 for each
time it is filed.
We find then that the original in
vestment in building silo does not
require large expenditure of money.
1t only requires gpod management
and conserving resources already at
hand.
The cost of maintaining a silo is
small. A coat of paint when built and
afterwards as needed is about the on
ly 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
if properly set up there is no need
for many repairs.
The succulence and paatibility of
silage are important factors which
must not be overlooked in considering
its feeding calue It's approach to
June pasture means much to the dairy
man who realizes that without this
feed he has an enormous shrinkage
in milk when the cows are taken off
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 ig-
more this important part of his work.
And as the highest prices are paid
during the winter season when the
milk YIELD owing to the scarcity of
green food, is greatly reduced 1t be-
hooves the farmers who wish to get
the most out of their cows to find
substitute for the pasture.
In all states where dairying forms
one of the chief industries corn silage
is recognized for it's economy of feed
ing and it's milk producing qualities.
1t was in these states that the silo first
made its appearance in this country
some thirty years ago. That 1t has re-
manned in active use during this time
should remove any doubt about it's be-
ing a valuable asset on the farm.
The silo not only furnishes palat-
able, green food during those months
when pasture is not available, but at
the same time does away with the I'M
pleasant features of winter feeding
The conveniences of this arrangement
is truly proved when on a cold win
ter morning with the mercury run
ming below zero, the stock may be fed
in very short time without the both
er of hitching a team to a rack and
driving to the field Of fodder. Form
erly many had the idea that the silo
was only profitable on large dairy
farms, but experiments are now prov
ing that silage is as good for beef cat