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E ND | Not every feed option works for every operation, and CS is one of them that just doesn't seem practical for a small herd unless you have some old/inherited/low-cost storage solution. An old smaller upright silo in our area would probably be fine year round for 20-25 head feeding every day. Just a good example of economics and scale not in the favor of all feeding solutions for a cattleman.
Storage efficiency of silage depends on volume and pile volume vs. surface area exposed, I think you'd find any production efficiency gained from feed type (vs. your other options of hay + grain) is gone through storage loss on a small herd.
Are you in a cold climate? The other option would be putting up a small covered drive over pile/trench silo whatever for the winter and spring then planting CS staggered to green chop over the summer. When do you plan to dry up your cows? Would think for a small herd they'd be dry 60-75 days in the heat of late summer anyways so might not help, just depends on your schedule. Or what are you doing now? | |
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Micro dairy herd silage storage
