8. (a) (i) Name two grass species commonly used in silage or hay production - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 8 - 2015

The grass should be cut at the "heading out" stage, typically 6-8 weeks after closing off in May, or 10-12 weeks after fertiliser application when 50% of seeds have shown.

A long spell of dry weather is essential to allow for dehydration, which prevents spoilage and ensures the grass dries adequately to be stored as hay without rotting or heating.

Lactobacillus species are required to help ferment the silage effectively and preserve it.

1. Cut or mow the grass on a dry or windy day to facilitate drying.
2. Turn or shake the grass 2-3 times to reduce the moisture content evenly.
3. Use a rake or gather the grass and stack it in the field to clear the area for further drying.

1. Silage is less weather-dependent and can be produced even in wet conditions.
2. It is often more digestible and has a higher dry matter intake, leading to better animal performance.
3. It provides higher protein content, making it more nutritious for livestock feed.

1. Round bale silage is easier to transport and can be managed in smaller quantities.
2. It minimizes waste since it can be stored in smaller bales that are easier to handle.
3. It poses less risk of spoilage from moisture compared to pit silage.

1. Weigh a named suitable container and record the weight.
2. Add a known mass of silage to the container and re-weigh to determine total mass.
3. Dry the silage in an oven at a specified temperature until all moisture is removed.
4. Weigh the dried container with the silage again.
5. Calculate the percentage dry matter using the formula:
   ext{DM} ext{ (%) = } rac{ ext{mass of dry silage}}{ ext{mass of fresh silage}} imes 100.