(1) Safe Feeding Practices for Green Forage
1. Moderate Feeding. The amount of green forage fed to livestock and poultry depends on the species, productivity, physiological stage, and environmental conditions. Ruminants like cattle and sheep can tolerate higher amounts of green forage and may even rely on it as their main feed source. However, omnivorous animals such as pigs and chickens should only use green forage as a supplement. For pigs, green forage typically makes up about 30% of their diet. Piglets and finishing pigs should have lower amounts, while pregnant sows and those in the second trimester can be given more, with green forage making up to 50% of their diet. In chickens, green forage is mainly used to supplement vitamins, and its inclusion should be around 15–20% for young birds and 20–30% for adults. Although ruminants can consume larger quantities, there are still limits—cows usually receive 30–50 kg per day, beef cattle 15–20 kg, and sheep 5–8 kg. During hot weather, the amount of green forage can be adjusted based on temperature; it can be increased when it's warmer and decreased when it's cooler.
2. Fresh Feeding. In summer, it's best to feed green forage fresh according to the needs of the animals. If stored improperly, green forage can heat up and ferment, leading to the loss of most vitamins and proteins, reducing their nutritional value. Additionally, some non-protein nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates found in stems and leaves, can turn into nitrites under bacterial action. Consuming feed containing nitrites can cause diarrhea in animals that eat small amounts, or even lead to nitrite poisoning in those that consume large quantities, which may result in death.
3. Appropriate Harvest Time. The timing of harvesting green forage is crucial. Harvesting too early may reduce yield and not provide enough nutrition. Therefore, the timing should be carefully considered, taking into account grass yield, nutrient content, and feeding safety to ensure both quality and effectiveness.
4. Prevent Poisoning. To avoid pesticide poisoning, farmers must ensure that no pesticides are sprayed near fields where green forage is grown. When using pesticides, high-efficiency, low-toxicity options should be preferred, and the application time, type of pesticide, and safety interval must be strictly followed. Only after confirming the feed is safe should it be harvested. Some green forages contain toxic substances, such as coumarin in certain legumes. When cows consume spoiled hibiscus, they may suffer from dicoumarol poisoning. To prevent this, fresh forage should be fed immediately, gradually increasing the amount, and moldy feed should be avoided.
(2) Efficient Use of Green Forage
1. Choose the Right Type of Forage. Ruminants like cattle and sheep benefit from green forage with high crude fiber content, such as ryegrass, fescue, sudangrass, and other grasses. Pigs, rabbits, and geese can be fed green forage with moderate fiber, such as chicory, pine leaf vanilla, and amaranth. For chickens and ducks, it’s best to use green forage at an early growth stage with lower fiber content. This ensures better digestibility and nutritional value.
2. Scientific Combination. Different types of green forage have varying nutrient profiles. Combining leguminous forages, which are rich in protein, with grasses high in fiber can create a balanced diet and improve overall nutrient absorption. Additionally, pairing green forage with roughage can enhance palatability and support better digestion in ruminants. Finally, it’s important to balance concentrate, roughage, and green forage according to the specific needs of each animal to optimize production performance and health.
3. Processing and Feeding. For cattle and sheep, green forage can be crushed to increase digestibility. A common method involves layering straw and green feed, then pressing them with a roller or stone mill to extract juice, which is absorbed by the straw. For pigs and geese, green forage can be beaten and mixed with dry feed or roughage before being combined with concentrates for optimal feeding.
Jiangyin Suofei Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd. , https://www.suofeiscales.com