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Because of the prolonged rainfall in June and July 2012, farmers were advised to raise the cutting height of silage from 5 cm to 10 cm - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2013
Question a
Because of the prolonged rainfall in June and July 2012, farmers were advised to raise the cutting height of silage from 5 cm to 10 cm. (i) Suggest a scientific rea... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Because of the prolonged rainfall in June and July 2012, farmers were advised to raise the cutting height of silage from 5 cm to 10 cm - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question a - 2013
Step 1
Suggest a scientific reason for this advice.
Answer
Raising the cutting height of silage is advised to prevent soil from entering the pit or bales. When cutting closer to the ground, soil can mix with the silage, leading to undesirable fermentation and possible contamination with Clostridium species, which can result in spoilage. Additionally, raising the height allows for more leafy material to be harvested, which retains better nutritional value, accommodates moisture, reduces dead material, and minimizes the risk of poaching.
Step 2
What are the negative effects of making silage in such weather conditions?
Answer
Making silage under prolonged rainfall can result in excessive water content, which can dilute the effluent and affect the production of the right level of acids, causing wrong pH levels. This can lead to lower sugar levels in the grass, result in lower dry matter digestibility (DMD), and create difficulties in harvesting. Furthermore, there can be soil damage by machinery when conditions are soggy, impacting the quality of the winter feed and making bailing challenging.