EFFECT OF STORAGE PERIOD AND METHODS ON QUALITY OF CONSERVED/STORED FORAGES IN HIMALAYA

摘要

Fodder cultivation is very restricted in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. Thus, the available fodder is not only insufficient but also poor in nutritive value as a result of which the productivity of the animal is very low, whatever fodder resources are available, their availability is also seasonal. The growth in grasslands is highest during the rainy season. Thus, during monsoon, plenty of grasses are available and the surplus grass is conserved for use during lean period. The crop residues arealso stored for feeding the animals. Thus, fodder conservation is an established practice in whole of the state to ensure the availability of fodder during periods of scarcity. Fodder conservation takes place in the form of hay. There are two methods of storage (1) in open and (2) under the shed. The present study was undertaken to study the nutrient degeneration dynamics and to evaluate the above two methods of storage.