Silo is one of the most valuable varieties of feed for farm animals. In the summer, cattle and small cattle can receive a large amount of greenery on pastures. In winter, such food is, of course, completely inaccessible. This is where silo comes to the rescue of livestock breeders. This feed is the same green mass, but canned. Its taste is sour, but nutritionally, it is significantly superior to most other varieties of winter feed, including hay. In this way, humanity has learned to conserve green mass in a very, very long time. Of course, such food should be prepared correctly. For conservation, a silo pit or trench specially equipped for this purpose is used.
What plants can be used
Most often, silage is prepared from the green mass of corn, melons, legumes, cereals and root crops. Sometimes these types of plants are laid separately in pits. But more often, farmers containing farm animals procure combined feed in this way.
In any case, the silo should be filled with a well-prepared green mass. In order for the preservation to be as successful as possible - without losing nutritional value, the plants should be properly ground. In this case, the size of the pieces should be approximately 3-5 cm, depending on the prepared culture.
Types of silage
The green mass can be preserved in two ways: cold and hot. In the first case, all the crushed plants are laid immediately in the pit and rammed. Next, the mixture is covered with a layer of clay. Sometimes a special film for silos is used. You can buy it from companies engaged in the manufacture of mulching and all kinds of agricultural covering materials. A layer of earth is usually additionally poured over the clay. Thus, it is possible to close the hole sealed by means of a film. However, in the latter case, this operation is not mandatory. Usually the film is simply crushed with some kind of load. It can be, for example, even old car tires.
When hot silo bookmark is done in portions. In addition, each layer is preliminarily aged for some time for heating in a loose state. Then he is rammed. After that, the next layer is laid on top of it and is also aged. Ultimately, under the weight of the upper layers, the lower ones are compacted. As a result, conservation processes begin to occur in them (as a result of the life of anaerobic bacteria).
Most often, the first silage technique is used on farms. Firstly, it is distinguished by technological simplicity, and secondly, with this method, the greatest amount of nutrients is stored in feeds. The hot silage technique is used only if it is necessary to preserve the coarse fiber mass. In the process of conservation, the latter becomes much softer, as a result of which it is better eaten by animals.
Silo pit: basic principles of the device
Sometimes the green mass of plants canned in special towers. This is mainly done by large agricultural enterprises. Ordinary farmers, as well as owners of farmsteads, carry out silage in pits or trenches. Of course, when equipping such storage facilities, certain technologies should be followed. Before starting work, you need to determine the size of the pit. So, for example, its capacity may be 12-35 m 3 . Depending on this, 7-20 tons of silage are ultimately obtained. The depth of the pit can be equal, for example, 2.5-3.5 m with a diameter of 2-3 m. The length of the trench should not exceed 20 m. Its maximum capacity is 180 m 3 (for 100 tons).
Silo pits and trenches are only allowed on dense clay soils. And, of course, in places where groundwater does not come too close to the surface of the earth. It is best to make a pit or trench on some hill, and as close to the stall of cattle or small cattle as possible.
Materials for the pit
In order to make a storage for silage, you need to prepare the following materials:
- clay for bedding and blocking (can be replaced by a material such as a film for sheltering silos);
- bricks for cladding (can be replaced with cement mortar);
- boards and timber for arranging the canopy.
Storage arrangement
Before starting excavation, the area allotted for the pit should be leveled. Next is the excavation. At home, this work can be done manually. Farmers use, of course, special equipment. In any case, the bottom of the dug hole should have a slight bias towards the center.
The lining of the store is made so that water from the ground does not get into it. The first thing to do is to brick or pour cement (in the assembled formwork with reinforcement) into the walls of the pit. Next, the bottom of the store is waterproofed. To do this, you can use clay. But better yet, of course, more modern material will do. The film of the silo pit is laid on the bottom with an overlap. Next, brickwork in one layer is performed on top of it. You can also pour a concrete thick screed at the bottom of the pit. According to the standards, a binder mortar for masonry is supposed to be prepared in a ratio of 1: 2. To fill the walls and bottom with concrete, it will be enough to mix sand and cement in a ratio of 1: 3-1: 4. For small pits, metal barrels or concrete well rings can be used as cladding .
Mass tab
After the silo pit is ready (approximately two weeks after completion of work), it is filled with cut greenery according to the selected technology. As soon as approximately 20-30 cm of free space of the storage remains to the surface of the earth, it is clogged. To do this, first use a film or clay, and then - earth or cargo.
Canopy assembly
The construction of a silo pit with the completion of the roof is nearing completion. This design is necessary to protect the storage from rain in late autumn and spring. It is mounted from pre-assembled wooden boards from boards. You can install the canopy on ordinary supports made of timber, dug into the ground. The lower ends of the latter should be treated with bitumen before installation. The use of drying oil or used engine oil is undesirable.
In this way, silo pits are arranged. As you can see, the procedure is technologically completely uncomplicated. The main thing is to try to prevent the penetration of green mass of water from the soil or air. In any case, a self-made silo pit is just a great way to get the highest quality feed for farm animals in the winter.