Silage and hay making are essential farming practices in Ireland... Show more
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Updated Apr 9, 2026
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Mastering Silage and Hay Making Techniques
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Why We Conserve Grass & Key Definitions
In Ireland, winter's cold and dark conditions halt grass growth, but livestock still need feeding. Farmers solve this problem by conserving summer grass to create winter fodder through two main methods: silage and hay making.
Conservation is the process of preserving grass for later use as animal feed. Silage involves pickling grass in acidic, oxygen-free conditions while maintaining high moisture content. Hay preservation works by drying grass until it has very low moisture content.
Some important terms to understand include anaerobic processes and aerobic conditions . Fermentation occurs when bacteria break down sugars into acid, specifically when anaerobic bacteria convert grass sugars to lactic acid that preserves the grass.
Remember this! Silage is the most common conservation method in Ireland because it's less dependent on good weather than hay making.
The Process of Making Silage
Making silage involves five key steps that transform fresh grass into preserved winter feed. First comes cutting - typically done in late May or early June when sugar content peaks, just before seed heads appear.
Next is wilting, where cut grass remains in the field for up to 48 hours. This allows some water to evaporate, increasing sugar concentration and supporting better fermentation later on.
The harvesting stage uses a forage harvester to collect and chop the grass into small pieces for easier compacting. Then comes the most critical stage - storing and sealing. This can be done through pit silage (packed into concrete clamps and covered with plastic sheeting) or bale silage (compressed into round bales wrapped in multiple layers of plastic film).
You've got two main storage methods:
- Pit silage: Grass is compacted by tractors in a concrete pit, then sealed with plastic and weighted down
- Bale silage: Individual bales are tightly wrapped in plastic film to maintain an airtight seal
Key point: Success depends entirely on excluding oxygen - if air gets in, your silage will spoil!
Fermentation and Hay Making
The magic of silage happens during fermentation. Initially, any remaining oxygen is consumed by plant respiration. Then anaerobic bacteria multiply, converting grass sugars into lactic acid, which lowers the pH to around 4.0. This acidic environment effectively pickles the grass, preventing harmful bacteria and mould growth for months.
Hay making is a more traditional method requiring longer periods of dry, sunny weather. The process begins with cutting grass in June/July when it's more mature. The critical drying stage follows, with grass left in the field for 3-5 days while being turned regularly using a tedder to ensure even drying until it reaches about 85% dry matter content.
Once properly dried, hay is raked into rows for baling into rectangular or round bales. Finally, bales must be properly stored in dry, well-ventilated sheds to prevent mould.
Warning! Never bale damp hay - it can cause bacteria to grow, generate heat, and potentially lead to spontaneous combustion in storage sheds.
Comparing Silage and Hay
Understanding the differences between silage and hay helps you choose the right conservation method for your farm. Silage has lower weather dependence, needing only 1-2 dry days, while hay requires 3-5 consecutive dry, sunny days.
The preservation methods differ fundamentally - silage relies on anaerobic fermentation (pickling) while hay depends on drying (dehydration). This affects their composition, with silage maintaining high moisture content compared to hay's low moisture (around 15% water).
Nutritionally, silage generally offers higher protein and energy content and is more digestible. However, silage requires more expensive machinery like forage harvesters and wrappers. Storage requirements also differ significantly - silage needs airtight conditions (pit or wrapped bales) while hay must be kept in dry sheds.
Exam tip: Learn the comparison table thoroughly as it clearly summarizes the key differences between silage and hay - a likely exam question!
Important Notes and Quick Revision
The quality of your preserved feed depends entirely on the grass quality you start with. For the best results, young leafy grass produces superior silage and hay.
When making silage, ensure you compact pit silage thoroughly to remove all air and regularly check for holes in your plastic coverings. Good silage has a yellowish-green colour with a sweet, slightly acidic smell, while bad silage (where air entered) turns dark brown or black with a horrible odour.
For hay making, timing is everything - only cut when the weather forecast promises several consecutive dry days. Always ensure hay is completely dry before baling to avoid dangerous fire risks in storage.
Remember these key points for revision:
- Silage is WET preservation using anaerobic fermentation to create lactic acid
- Hay is DRY preservation by removing water content to about 15%
- Silage needs airtight conditions while hay must be kept dry
- Silage generally suits high-yielding dairy cows, while hay works well for horses and suckler cows
Quick test: Can you explain why silage fermentation is described as anaerobic and what would happen if oxygen entered the system?
We thought you’d never ask...
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Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Mastering Silage and Hay Making Techniques
Silage and hay making are essential farming practices in Ireland that allow animals to be fed during winter when grass growth slows down. These conservation methods ensure cattle and sheep receive adequate nutrition year-round by preserving the excess grass that... Show more
Why We Conserve Grass & Key Definitions
In Ireland, winter's cold and dark conditions halt grass growth, but livestock still need feeding. Farmers solve this problem by conserving summer grass to create winter fodder through two main methods: silage and hay making.
Conservation is the process of preserving grass for later use as animal feed. Silage involves pickling grass in acidic, oxygen-free conditions while maintaining high moisture content. Hay preservation works by drying grass until it has very low moisture content.
Some important terms to understand include anaerobic processes and aerobic conditions . Fermentation occurs when bacteria break down sugars into acid, specifically when anaerobic bacteria convert grass sugars to lactic acid that preserves the grass.
Remember this! Silage is the most common conservation method in Ireland because it's less dependent on good weather than hay making.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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The Process of Making Silage
Making silage involves five key steps that transform fresh grass into preserved winter feed. First comes cutting - typically done in late May or early June when sugar content peaks, just before seed heads appear.
Next is wilting, where cut grass remains in the field for up to 48 hours. This allows some water to evaporate, increasing sugar concentration and supporting better fermentation later on.
The harvesting stage uses a forage harvester to collect and chop the grass into small pieces for easier compacting. Then comes the most critical stage - storing and sealing. This can be done through pit silage (packed into concrete clamps and covered with plastic sheeting) or bale silage (compressed into round bales wrapped in multiple layers of plastic film).
You've got two main storage methods:
- Pit silage: Grass is compacted by tractors in a concrete pit, then sealed with plastic and weighted down
- Bale silage: Individual bales are tightly wrapped in plastic film to maintain an airtight seal
Key point: Success depends entirely on excluding oxygen - if air gets in, your silage will spoil!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Fermentation and Hay Making
The magic of silage happens during fermentation. Initially, any remaining oxygen is consumed by plant respiration. Then anaerobic bacteria multiply, converting grass sugars into lactic acid, which lowers the pH to around 4.0. This acidic environment effectively pickles the grass, preventing harmful bacteria and mould growth for months.
Hay making is a more traditional method requiring longer periods of dry, sunny weather. The process begins with cutting grass in June/July when it's more mature. The critical drying stage follows, with grass left in the field for 3-5 days while being turned regularly using a tedder to ensure even drying until it reaches about 85% dry matter content.
Once properly dried, hay is raked into rows for baling into rectangular or round bales. Finally, bales must be properly stored in dry, well-ventilated sheds to prevent mould.
Warning! Never bale damp hay - it can cause bacteria to grow, generate heat, and potentially lead to spontaneous combustion in storage sheds.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Comparing Silage and Hay
Understanding the differences between silage and hay helps you choose the right conservation method for your farm. Silage has lower weather dependence, needing only 1-2 dry days, while hay requires 3-5 consecutive dry, sunny days.
The preservation methods differ fundamentally - silage relies on anaerobic fermentation (pickling) while hay depends on drying (dehydration). This affects their composition, with silage maintaining high moisture content compared to hay's low moisture (around 15% water).
Nutritionally, silage generally offers higher protein and energy content and is more digestible. However, silage requires more expensive machinery like forage harvesters and wrappers. Storage requirements also differ significantly - silage needs airtight conditions (pit or wrapped bales) while hay must be kept in dry sheds.
Exam tip: Learn the comparison table thoroughly as it clearly summarizes the key differences between silage and hay - a likely exam question!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Important Notes and Quick Revision
The quality of your preserved feed depends entirely on the grass quality you start with. For the best results, young leafy grass produces superior silage and hay.
When making silage, ensure you compact pit silage thoroughly to remove all air and regularly check for holes in your plastic coverings. Good silage has a yellowish-green colour with a sweet, slightly acidic smell, while bad silage (where air entered) turns dark brown or black with a horrible odour.
For hay making, timing is everything - only cut when the weather forecast promises several consecutive dry days. Always ensure hay is completely dry before baling to avoid dangerous fire risks in storage.
Remember these key points for revision:
- Silage is WET preservation using anaerobic fermentation to create lactic acid
- Hay is DRY preservation by removing water content to about 15%
- Silage needs airtight conditions while hay must be kept dry
- Silage generally suits high-yielding dairy cows, while hay works well for horses and suckler cows
Quick test: Can you explain why silage fermentation is described as anaerobic and what would happen if oxygen entered the system?
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user