Silage

Silage, fodder preserved and stored by farmers to provide nutritious feedstuff for livestock in the winter. The large, round, brick or metal container in which it is stored is known as a silo.

The preservation of silage depends on the controlled fermentation of the green forage in the silo; precise regulation of air supply and temperature is of great importance for the production of the most nutritious feed. A number of nutrients, such as starches and sugars, might be added during fermentation, both to accelerate the process and to increase the nutritional value of the feeds. Silos are generally considered to be the most effective containers for ensuring a tightly packed mass in which the circulation of air and the moisture content can be strictly controlled. Two less efficient versions are the trench silo, which is simply a concrete-lined excavation in the soil, and the bunker silo, a brick or wood chamber built above ground.