166 GUIDE TO DAIRYING IN SOUTH AFRICA 



Capacity. 



The size of the pit or raised silo will depend on 

 the amount of fodder we wish to conserve or the 

 amount which we require for our cows for a certain 

 period. A silo say 16 feet in diameter by 26 feet 

 high or deep, will be suitable for holding enough 

 silage to keep 20 cows going for six months' feeding- 

 period. A cow will eat about 40 Ibs. of ensilage 

 per diem. 



The size will also depend on the rate of feeding, 

 for it has been found by experience that when 

 beginning to off-load for feeding it is best to 

 remove a complete layer at a time, which must not 

 be less than i| inches to 2 inches per diem. This 

 is to prevent moulding and waste which takes place 

 where uneven and irregular off-loading is practised. 



The following table shows the diameters of silos 

 required to prevent moulding to feed cows at the 

 rate of 40 Ibs. per day for 1 80 days. 



The weight of ensilage increases with the depth 

 and also diameter of the silo. 



