BANYUWANGI, Jurnalnews – Improving the quality and population of livestock, Goat and sheep farmers in Banyuwangi are being trained to make fermented animal feed or silage. Apart from being able to reduce the smell of livestock, This is also a solution to feed availability, especially during the dry season.
In between Bunga Desa activities (Regent of Ngantor in the Village) in the village of Labanasem Village, District of Kabat, Regent of Banyuwangi Ipuk Fiestiandani, visiting silage making training at one of the sheep farms, Tuesday (7/8/2024). There were five groups of breeders who took part in the training.
Entering the farm you can't smell the typical smell of sheep/goats which the Javanese call prengus. In fact, on the Among Tani group's farm there are dozens of sheep.
“The cage doesn't smell like a typical farm. The sheep also look clean and fat," said Ipuk.
One of the advantages of using silage feed, reduces odor in livestock. With silage, absorption of food into the livestock's body is maximized, so that dirt does not smell.
Silage is forage for livestock such as corn stalks, elephant grass, and fermented hay. With proper storage Silage can last up to two years, so that farmers do not lack feed, especially in the dry season.
“This could be a solution for farmers to ensure the availability of quality and affordable feed," said Ipuk after seeing the silage making process.
“With this training, The hope is that farmers can provide quality feed for their livestock, so that the livestock population in Banyuwangi continues to increase, both in terms of quality and quantity," explained Ipuk.
On this occasion, Ipuk also handed over a number of aids. Each group received assistance in the form of: 5 sheep's tail, one chopper engine unit, and 7 quintal of concentrate animal feed.
Added the Head of the Banyuwangi Agriculture and Food Service, Arief Setiawan, The use of silage is more profitable for farmers.
Silage can be used as an alternative feed ingredient for ruminant livestock. Like a goat, sheep and cattle, so farmers don't have to rely on fresh grass feed.
“Especially during the dry season. Farmers don't need to worry about a shortage of feed because they can make silage,said Arief.
Head of Cultivation and Livestock Business, Banyuwangi Food Agriculture Department, Abdurrazak, Silage feed, said that silas has a higher protein content than fresh grass, so it is healthier and makes livestock fatter faster. Making silage is also easy and uses materials found in the surrounding environment and agricultural waste.
“The ingredients are cut into small pieces using a cutting tool (chopper), add bacteria, then stored under anaerobic conditions (air-tight). Wait 14 The day the silage is ready to be used,said Rozak. (*)
