Technologies and maintenance of forage conservation including grasses and silage cultures

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there were described the main processing methods and current technical maintenance techniques of forage production and conservation on th basis of perennial grasses and silage crops. In course of examination of technology of hay, haylage and silage conservation the special attention was [aid to quality of grass feed, in particular, to preservative agent application. There were presented data on dynamics of chemical composition of the principal species and varieties of perennial grasses in accordance with vegetation phases, on impacts of grass harvesting at different phases of crop growth and development on nutriets contents and energy value of feed and forages. Indexes of grassy feed potential losses during harvesting and storage were shown. System of machinery and equipment of national and foreign production for grass harvesting and forage conservation within optimal agronomical terms was presented. In the presented study there were analyzed the following techniques used in the Republic of Belarus: forage production on the basis of grasses and silage crops; hay conservation; haymaking; hay turning; grass sweeping; grass pressing; hay shipping and transportation; requirements to hay quality; conserved succulent grass fodders; selection and breakage of sun-cured grasses; transportation and storage of haylage; silaging; application of preserving agents in forage storage; storage of haylage and silage with polymer materials; organization of a green forage chain.