The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-11-01


able results. Additional packing is
accomplished by the use of horses
and by heavy rollers.
When the first layer of tops has
been well packed and has reached
the thickness of 6 to 8 inches, salt
is sometimes sprinkled over the tops,
the amount used varying from to
IA. pounds to the ton. Tops are then
added until there is a layer of from
II to IA inches; then comes fresh
layer of straw 5 to 6 inches thick and
then another layer of beet tops. This
process is repeated until the pit
is filled and the top of the mass is
rounded off above the surface of
the ground.
Some feeders do not use straw.
However, the consensus OF opinion
is that where straw is available it is
well to use it as it reduces the wash
mess of the silage and facilitates the
effective utilization of the straw
which is eaten readily by the stock
when handled in this manner. The
advisability of using straw seems to
depend upon the, freshness of the
tops. Where the tops are gathered
promptly before the moisture has
evaporated from the leaves the
straw serves to take up the excess
moisture in the silo and the combi-
nation is very desirable. If the tops
are allowed to remain in the field
until somewhat dry and then put
into the pit with alternate layers of
straw it is more difficult to pack the
feed properly, that is, the air is not
excluded and consequently mouldy
feed results. The proportion of the
straw used is about one ton to twen-
ty tons of tops.
When the last layer of tops is laid
on, the final layer of straw is scat
tered over the top and the entire pile
is covered with one or two feet of
soil. The soil is placed on the mass
to exclude air, shed water and pre-
vent freezing, hence the thickness of
the soil should be determined by
these three requirements. If the pit
is located within easy hauling dis
lance of a sugar factory it might be
well to secure several loads of beet
pulp for Gaping the silo. Beet pulp
will exclude the air in good shape
and at the same time can be fed up
with the silagc. Cover the pulp with
a layer of straw.
In filling the silo it should be re-
membered that the exclusion of air
is primary consideration. After
filling is once begun it should be
completed as quickly as possible to
prevent spelling. If the layers can
be added gradually without any long
periods when any particular layer
is exposed to the air the filling can
be extended over a period of time.
Feeding the Silage.
The pit may be opened at any time
after filling though it is better to al
low the Silo to remain closed for 30
days in order that the proper fer
mentation may take place. One end
of the pit is opened and the feed cut
out in sections similar to the manner
in which hay is cut and fed from the
end of a stack. Waste and spoilage
is avoided by only cutting enough to
feed from 3 to 4 pounds a day.
:, The beet tops silage should never
be fed alone but should be used in
combination with hay. When alfal-
ia hay and beet top silage are fed
together a well bananced ration is
provided When quick gains are de-
sired a grain ration is fed in con-
nection.
Practically all of the stockmen
who have used this feed are enthus-
iastic over their, results and are put
ting up more of the beet top silage
for this year. Estimates of the feed
ing value vary from S. to $40 per ton
while few of the feeders estimate
its value equal to alfalfa hay. The
fact that the silage adds succulence
to the winter ration is undoubtedly
responsible for large portion of
the excellent results obtained from
using this feed. Samples of the sill
age has been analysed by the chem
list of the Sugar Beet company and it
was found to contain very nearly the
same constituents as corn silage.
Beet tops as they come from the
field contain beet leaves and the
crowns of the beet roots. The crowns
are rather hard and are sometimes
difficult for the animals to swallow.
As the crowns come from the Silage
they are found to be soft having been
rendered so by the fermentation
hence they are eaten readily and
easily by the stock.
If the tops have been put into the
pit fresh the silage is very succulent
which makes the layers of straw de-
sirable feed. The succulence makes
the silage very desirable feed in
connection with dry roughage such
as hay. If the silage is fed alone ii
generally proves too laxative for the
good of the animals.
| The yield of tops per acre of beets
is variable, the amounts running
from Az to 10 tons to the acre. The
average, however, is in the neigh
borhood of s. to 6 tons per acre.
The estimated cost of digging the
pit, gathering the tops and filling
the silo are practically all at $1.OO
] per ton. If the tops are purchased
by the usual method of Is cents per
ton of beets, the silage cost is then
raised to about $3.50 per ton. As be-
fore stated, no one has estimated the