Corn silage production sustains livelihood of Albay farmers

LEGAZPI CITY, July 2 (PIA) –  Some 36 families from Albay were able to sustain their livelihood and cope up with the anxiety brought by the Covid-19 pandemic through farming and corn silage production.

The families from Barangay Basag, Ligao City continued to sustain themselves and their livestock animals through the Corn Silage Production of Palaya AgriVentures Corporation (PAC) since their farming operation did not stop since February 2019.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol information officer Jayson Gonzales cited that the company has been envisioned by PAC President/COO Ignacio R. Colesio to help and empower farmers and their families. That is why PAC has established more than 700 hectares of new corn production areas in Camarines Sur, Albay and Camarines Norte.

“The corn silage production of PAC provided hope to the farmers when the El Nino phenomenon in 2019 hit the region which affected the feed supply of the livestock farms in Bicol and CALABARZON. To save their corn crop, they processed it into silage in anticipation of the declining food supply of their animals,” Gonzales recounted.

Income potential

Gonzales said that as reported by PAC officials, the surrounding households in the community earn from planting, furrowing and harvesting corn in the 60-hectare area.

“Aside from providing employment, PAC encouraged them to plant their crops and vegetables in some vacant areas in the farm for their food sustenance. Some farmers even sell their excess harvest as additional source of income,” he cited.

Corn silage production has the potential to become additional income of farmers. Farmers could do three cropping per year from planting corn for grain and silage production.

“Corn silage production is one option for farmers to consider. Equipment are necessary to reduce cost and enhance efficiency. Cattle, small ruminants and other livestock should be integrated in corn silage production as it will increase productivity and cost-effectiveness of the project,” Gonzales said.

DA intervention

To further boost corn silage production, DA Bicol and National Dairy Authority-5 assisted the farmers through farm mechanization and marketing.

“DA-Bicol provided PAC with a mobile dryer, corn picker, tractors and water pumps to hasten their production efficiency and lessen production and post-harvest losses” Gonzales said.

Meanwhile, NDA-5 needed 34,000 kgs of corn silage for their distribution program to dairy farmers in Bicol Region this year. PAC has provided the requirement.

The DA said that corn silage is a good alternative when there are no fresh grass and especially during the summer and rainy months which pose a challenge for livestock raisers.

Corn silage production

According to the Bureau of Animal Research (BAR), silage is a fermented, high-moisture feed derived from various crops stored in silos or airtight plastic containers. Using the corn stalks that are 70 to 85 days old, it is packed in polyethylene bags with the air vacuumed out.

The silage can be used for feed after two- three weeks of fermentation. Corn silage has low protein and high carbohydrate contents as compared to low carbohydrate and high protein content of grass.

It is safe and good as animal feed because of its grain and fiber contents. It contributes to the increase in the production of milk of goats, cows and carabaos. (SAA-PIA5/Albay)