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Have you seen storage spaces for green fodder in farms or animal shelters? How do farmers/animal owners store green fodder? Do they use fresh fodder everyday?
Farmers store green fodder in different ways. Many use silage bags or underground silos where chopped fodder ferments and stays fresh. Some tie fodder bundles and keep them under shaded sheds to reduce spoilage. While fresh fodder is used daily whenever available, silage or dried fodder is used duriRead more
Farmers store green fodder in different ways. Many use silage bags or underground silos where chopped fodder ferments and stays fresh. Some tie fodder bundles and keep them under shaded sheds to reduce spoilage. While fresh fodder is used daily whenever available, silage or dried fodder is used during scarcity. This method ensures animals always have sufficient food, even in seasons when fresh green fodder is limited.
See lessHow is the fodder requirement calculated? Is there any wastage of fodder? Approximately how much green fodder gets wasted daily? What are the reasons for wastage?
Farmers calculate fodder requirement using animal weight, generally 2–3% of body weight as dry fodder and 8–10% as green fodder. Wastage happens if fodder is too dry, unpalatable or given in excess. Improper chopping and storage also increase losses. On average, 5–10% green fodder gets wasted daily.Read more
Farmers calculate fodder requirement using animal weight, generally 2–3% of body weight as dry fodder and 8–10% as green fodder. Wastage happens if fodder is too dry, unpalatable or given in excess. Improper chopping and storage also increase losses. On average, 5–10% green fodder gets wasted daily. Better storage, chopping and feeding practices can reduce this wastage and save farmers’ resources significantly.
See lessWhat are the key challenges in gathering green fodder, silage bags and chopping? Do farmers/animal owners think silage is useful in overcoming these challenges?
Farmers face several difficulties in fodder management. Gathering fresh green fodder requires time, labour and land. Chopping is physically demanding and time-consuming. Many farmers also lack silage bags or proper silos. Silage helps solve these problems by preserving fodder in bulk for months. OncRead more
Farmers face several difficulties in fodder management. Gathering fresh green fodder requires time, labour and land. Chopping is physically demanding and time-consuming. Many farmers also lack silage bags or proper silos. Silage helps solve these problems by preserving fodder in bulk for months. Once stored, it reduces daily labour and guarantees animals nutritious food during scarcity. Farmers find silage highly useful to overcome fodder shortage challenges effectively.
See lessWhat were the key difficulties you faced while making silage? What, in your opinion, would you do differently next time?
While making silage, I faced problems such as chopping large fodder pieces, tightly packing them without air gaps and finding enough silage bags. Pressing the fodder evenly was challenging. Sometimes, improper sealing caused spoilage. Next time, I would arrange chaff-cutting machines, involve more hRead more
While making silage, I faced problems such as chopping large fodder pieces, tightly packing them without air gaps and finding enough silage bags. Pressing the fodder evenly was challenging. Sometimes, improper sealing caused spoilage. Next time, I would arrange chaff-cutting machines, involve more helpers and use strong airtight bags. These improvements will make silage preparation easier, quicker and more effective, ensuring better quality preserved fodder for animals.
See lessAre you aware of any other similar celebrations of livestock?
Yes, several states celebrate livestock festivals. For example, Pola in Maharashtra, Kanuma in Andhra Pradesh and Khaturva in Uttarakhand. These events honour farm animals, especially bulls and cows, who help in ploughing, transport and milk production. Farmers decorate and worship animals, offer foRead more
Yes, several states celebrate livestock festivals. For example, Pola in Maharashtra, Kanuma in Andhra Pradesh and Khaturva in Uttarakhand. These events honour farm animals, especially bulls and cows, who help in ploughing, transport and milk production. Farmers decorate and worship animals, offer food and give them rest. Such traditions show respect for animals, express cultural gratitude and highlight the strong human-animal bond essential for agriculture and rural life.
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