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Conservation, Multiplication of High Yielding Fodder and Development of Fodder Production, Utilization & Preservation Technologies

N.R. Sarker
Fodder Research and Development Project, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

S. Yesmin
Fodder Research and Development Project, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

F. Tabassum
Fodder Research and Development Project, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M.A.Habib
Fodder Research and Development Project, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M.K. Bashar
Fodder Research and Development Project, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

M.R. Amin
Fodder Research and Development Project, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

To develop a sustainable year round green fodder production model and low cost silage technology, two activities were carried out under the project. In activity 1, to develop a fodder production model for small scale dairy farmers under on-station, five 5 RCC dairy cows (having 600-700 L milk yield/lactation) were selected. For rearing five cattle about 66 decimal (2 Bigha) of land was selected from existing fodder plots. The selected land was divided into two parts i.e. 33 decimal in each. One part ( 33 decimal) has been brought under perennial (Napier-4) and the 2^nd part of land for seasonal (Maize & Matikalai) fodder production. Data on live weight & live weight gain of cows, birth weight of calves, feed intake, milk production, and actual biomass yield for both perennial & seasonal fodder, yearly manure production were recorded & calculated. Napier-4 grass, maize, straw, silage was supplied to the experimental cows according to the seasonal availability in different months. The study revealed that about 14.34 tons of perennial and 4.8 tons of seasonal fodder and concentrates were supplied. A total 2866 L of milk, 12796 kg of cowdung and 6 calves were obtained from five (5) animals for the period of 200 days. The total expenditure of this modeling system was Tk. 148405. Under activity 2, to develop a cost effective silage technology, four different silos were prepared using four types of silo materials viz. A = Bamboo made doll (inside sealed with polythene), B= Bamboo made doll (outside sealed with rice husk, mud & cow dung without polythene), C= Plastic container and D= Polythene made doll as treatment groups having four replications in each and preserved in two storage period of 3 and 6 months. Therefore, a total of 32 silos were (4x2x4) were used for this experiment. BLRI Napier-4 hybrid grass of 40-days-old was used for making silage. After 3 months and 6 months, the respective treatment groups were opened and dry matter (before and after), silage quality (colour, smell, rottenness, pH) were measured and yeast and moulds were visually observed. It was found that chemical composition of grass before and after silage making was changed. There was little decrease of dry matter, crude protein, organic matter, ash and pH except silo A. All the treatment groups possessed yellowish color and sweet and sour odor except silo B which was blackish in color and pungent odor. pH of silage was reduced in 6 months compare to 3 months. A small layer of yeasts and moulds were observed on the surface of each treatment except silo C for both preservation durations. Almost about 90% silage was rotten in silo B for both preservation durations. The study revealed that plastic container was the best silo to preserve silage in respect of quality for any duration of preservation and also it's durability. But polythene doll or bamboo doll with polythene was cost effective for short time .

Keywords: Fodder production model, Small-scale dairy, Employment opportunity, Modeling

Location: Pachutia Research Farm, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

1. To develop fodder production model for sustainable fodder production round the year.

2. To develop low-cost silage technology for small and medium scale dairy farmers.

Methodology:

Under this activity, 5 RCC dairy cows (having 600-700 L milk yield/lactation) were selected and the experiment was performed in Pachutia Research Farm, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka. For rearing five cows about 66 decimal (2 Bigha) of land was selected from existing fodder plots. The selected land has been divided into two parts i.e. 33 decimal in each. One part (33 decimal) has been brought under perennial fodder (BLRl Napier-4 and Splendida) and the 2nd part of land for seasonal fodder (Maize & Matikalai) production. To produce different perennial and seasonal fodders, general agronomical practices like land preparation, irrigation, fertilizer application, seedling and plantation of fodder cutting, harvesting etc. was followed during the fodder cultivation period. Data on live weight and live weight gain of cows, birth weight of calves, feed intake, milk production, actual biomass yield for both perennial and seasonal fodder and yearly manure production were recorded and calculated. Economics of the model was also calculated based on cost-profit analysis. About 14.34 tons of perennial and 4.8 tons of seasonal fodder have been produced from 66 decimal of land which has been supplied to the research animals. The intake was determined by subtracting the amount of leftover from the amount of feed supplied on the previous day in case of grasses, straw and silage. But in concentrate total amount was taken under consideration. In this activity, silage was prepared using four different types of silo materials (silos) viz. A = Bamboo made doll (inside sealed with polythene), B= bamboo made doll (outside sealed with rice husk, mud & cow dung without polythene), C= plastic container and D= polythene made doll and stored for a period of was 3 and 6 months. Type of silo was considered as treatment and and there were 4 replications in each treatment. Therefore, a total of 32 silos (4x2x4) were used for this experiment. For making silage, 40-day-old BLRI Napier -hybrid grass was harvested and chopped through grass copper machine. The chopped grass was stored in different types of silos, layer by layer, and compacted with manual pressure to remove air as much as possible. When the silo chamber was almost full with green grass, it was kept with lids and/or covered with polythene sheet for 3 days for further compaction. After 3 days all the treatment groups were opened and the vacant portion of the silos filled again with green grasses and finally covered with the polythene sheet tightly under bamboo treatment groups. The plastic containers were covered with lids and polythene doll was tight with rope. Finally, a total of 15.32 tons of fodder (BLRl- Napier-hybrid 3) was used for silage making which contains 12 tons in doll, 3.2 tons in plastic bags and 0.32 ton in plastic containers. The storage durations of silos were 3 and 6 months. After 3 months and 6 months, respective treatment groups were opened and dry matter ( before & after), silage quality (colour, smell), rottenness, p^H were measured and yeast and moulds were visually observed as per standard method. A representative silage sample from pit, bamboo mat, synthetic poly bag and concrete silo were taken into labeled poly bag for chemical analysis (DM, CP, CF, NFE, EE, TA) using AOAC method.

Source of Information: Proceedings of the Annual Research Review Workshop 2013-2014, BLRI, Savar, Dhaka. Publication No.261, pp: 193-208, October-2015.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion, under activity 1, it may be recommended that a farmer having 5 RCC with 66 decimal land may earn substantial share of his/her family income as small-scale rural dairying. Further, on-farm in-depth trial is needed considering the socio-economic perspective of the farmers and land availability for fodder production in the respective areas. In activity 2, although the plastic container is the best silo in respect of silage quality and durability but due to low capacity, initial investment is higher and not affordable for large scale preservation. Therefore, it may be concluded that polythene doll or bamboo doll with polythene is more suitable in respect of cost effectiveness for making small-scale silage in Char/Haor and/or other locations where small-scale dairying is prevailing to minimize the scarcity green grasses during lean period (winter) or water logging period (rainy).

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings