Säilörehu

Säilörehu, known in English as silage, is a method of preserving fodder for livestock through fermentation. This process is used to preserve large quantities of grass, legumes, or whole-crop cereals as a winter feed for cattle, sheep, and other farm animals. The key to successful silage making is the anaerobic (oxygen-free) fermentation of the plant material.

When harvested, the forage contains natural sugars. Lactic acid bacteria, which are naturally present on the plants, consume these sugars and produce lactic acid and other organic acids. This acidifies the material, lowering the pH and creating an environment where spoilage-causing microorganisms cannot survive. The absence of oxygen is crucial for this lactic acid fermentation to dominate over other undesirable processes.

The process typically involves chopping the forage into small pieces, compacting it tightly into a storage container, and sealing it to exclude air. Common storage methods include silos (above-ground or bunker types) and bales wrapped in plastic film. The quality of the silage depends on factors such as the moisture content of the forage, the speed of harvesting and storage, and the effectiveness of the seal. Well-made silage is a valuable and nutritious feed source, providing essential energy and nutrients for livestock during periods when fresh pasture is unavailable.