Advances in anaerobic fermentation techniques for conservation of forages for small holders

2^nd International Conference on Animal & Dairy Sciences

September 15-17, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Mirza Ismail Baig

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Veterinar Sci Technolo

Abstract :

Supply of quality green forages throughout the year for the livestock is becoming difficult due to reduction of cultivable land, short supply of saplings and seeds of fodder crops, preference of cash crops over fodder crops by the farmers and many other reasons. Therefore to ensure the supply of high quality nutritive fodder it is very essential not only to grow best varieties of fodder crops but also harvest it completely at one go. The prevalent practice in many part of the country is cutting off the required quantity of fodder daily and that is being fed directly to livestock. The major drawback of this practice is the non availability of essential nutrient throughout because of over matured herbs and harden stems that possessed high percentage of crude fiber. Moreover the land under fodder cultivation in small holder farmers is also very limited. A technology of anaerobic fermentation of fodder crop and other fresh non conventional feed to prepare composite silage in containers that are convenient for small holders was developed. Silage making as a tool for conservation of fodder is not a new concept. but was not very popular with small holder because of labor intensive activity. Normally silage making in silo pits or in trench or tower silo has got their own limitation because of requirement high quantum .of fodder crop .The silage in small containers like in bamboo make containers or in plastic bags has become very popular with the farmers with small herd size and adopted by large number of livestock owners. The composite silage with vegetable waste in different proportion of by- product of distillery such as maize brans and also with fruit waste, mixed with perennial grass is also proved to be beneficial in cutting lost on feed stuff. The capacity of different type of silage is as under: Bamboo Containers: 1000 kg Specially made bags with inner lining: 500 kg Plastic containers: 80 - 100 kg Plastic Pouches: 10 - 15 kg Addition of silage inoculants will help in reducing the incubation time and fermentation process. The palatability of the resultant silage was very good.

Biography :

Mirza Ismail Baig has worked as the Professor and Head at prestigious Veterinary College till October 2013. Under different projects he has developed the cost effective composite silage making process. Similarly he has developed the package and practices for rearing male buffalo calves for breeding purpose. He has published more than 25 research papers in reputed journals. He is Life member of five Scientific Associations.