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A chopper as appropriate tool for livestock production and effects on silage

nutritive characteristics based-maize-sorghum and millet in Burkina Faso

Article · September 2021

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 International Journal of Applied Science and Research

A chopper as appropriate tool for livestock production and effects on silage nutritive
characteristics based-maize-sorghum and millet in Burkina Faso
Millogo Vinsoun1,2*, Kéré Michel1,2, Sissao Mariétou3, Sidibé-Anago Alice Gisèle6, Koudougou Hafsatou1,
Robert Burdick4 and Timothy Harrigan5

1Innovation Hub, Appropriate Scale Mechanization Consortium (ASMC), Institute of Rural Development, Nazi
Boni University, P.O. Box 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
2 Laboratoire de Recherche et d’Enseignement en Santé et Biotechnologie Animales, Institut du Développement
Rural, Université Nazi Boni, 01 BP 1091 Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.
3 Centre Universitaire de Tenkodogo/Université Thomas SANKARA, 12 BP 417 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

4 Tillers international, 10515 OP Ave E Scotts, MI 49088, USA

5 Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane 120B, East
Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
6Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, 04 BP 8645, Ouagadougou 04, Burkina Faso.

IJASR 2021
VOLUME 4
ISSUE 4 JULY – AUGUST ISSN: 2581-7876
Abstract: Burkina Faso is a Sahelian country with a long dry season when the livestock base-pasture grazing is
facing a severe forage shortage. The feed gap can drastically affect ruminant’s production performances, particularly
cattle. In order to contribute to feed availability in the dry season, an experiment was carried out on forage
production and silage production using a forage chopping tool called appropriate scale mechanization consortium
chopper (ASMC chopper). The experiment took place at the ASMC project site at Koumbia Tuy’s province in the
Hauts-Bassins Region, Burkina Faso (West Africa). Maize, sorghum and millet were used to produce silage and
evaluate nutritive values. The present study hypothesized that: i)-the chopped forage size with ASMC chopper
doesn’t significantly modify silage quality; ii)-the nutritive value of forage is conserved during the ensiling process.
Chopping rate were 6.13 ± 0.13 kg/min, 6.08 ± 0.91 kg/min and 6.33 ± 0.17 kg/min for maize, millet and sorghum
respectively. The forage was silage in 50 and 200 L drums. In term of forage quality, for maize NDF (63.29 to
64.83%), ADF (29.6 to 29.72 %), crude protein (11.07%) did not change. It was found 69.3 to 68.39% of NDF,
36.51 to 36.17 % of ADF and 6.96 to 7.06% of crudes proteins for sorghum. NDF content (70.39%) did not
change for millet and the average of 39.9 to 41.42% for ADF and 7.83 to 6.44% for crudes proteins were
respectively found. At the end of the process, silage was used to feed the farmer’s lactating cows to see feed intake.
Maize silage dry matter feed intake was higher in cow number 2 at 3.25 ± 0.99 kg than in cow number 4 at 2.44 ±
1.49 kg. In conclusion, ASMC chopper is an appropriate tool for silage making which is a good strategy for
livestock feeding system and feed availability in Burkina Faso with conserved feed quality during the dry season.

Keywords: Maize, sorghum, millet, chopper, ensiling, silage, feeding, livestock, Burkina Faso
INTRODUCTION

Livestock farming is an important sector for the West African economy. Its average contribution to Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) at the regional scale is 44% (Kagoné et al., 2009). It is an important source of income,
livelihoods, nutrition and food security, as well as resilience in many parts of Africa (Herrero et al., 2014). In Burkina
Faso, more than 80% of households practice livestock production and 92% is mainly rural smallholder farmers. It
has a major place in the national economy (FAO, 2016). Its contribution covers around 18% to export values and
around 12% to GDP (MRAH, 2014). The national statistics on livestock showed around 8,912,532 of cattle,
9,007,585 of sheep and 13,486,909 of goats (MRA, 2015).

There is therefore a great challenge to successful feed those animals across the country. Thus, livestock farming is
facing issues like land tenure insecurity and drastic reduction of lands for grazing due to the increase in crop-related
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activities. In such context, feeding appears as main constraint which gives back animal production in Burkina Faso.
It has been identifying that natural pasture based-livestock system is uneven activities due to increasing degradation
of environment (Zampaligré et al., 2013; Kima et al., 2015). Climatic change and human actions are the most
important factors which explain this process (Rigolot et al., 2017).

In addition, during the long dry period, forage loses its nutritive quality (Millogo et al., 2019). The decrease in
pastoral resources increases the problem of the viability of existing livestock systems (Zampaligré et al., 2013; Kima
et al., 2015). Moreover, cattle have more negative impacted by the long dry season with poor forage than any others
domestic ruminant species. There is a need to overcome by promoting forage production and feeding system as
integrated approach. In country with very short rain season, efforts should be focus on forage conservation such as
hay and silage. Previous works have shown different strategies and revealed that silage production is not still well
handled by farmers in Burkina Faso (Kiéma et al., 2008 and Simian, 2017). Today, animal still plays a role in the
integrated farming system as drawn-force in Burkina Faso. Millogo et al. (2020) showed that mechanization can
contribute to increase crop production if draft oxen have good body score. However, this study has shown that
25% of animals were under body condition score of four (4). In order to contribute to forage production, a tool for
chopping forages was designed and adapted by the appropriate scale mechanization consortium (ASMC) through its
innovation hub in Burkina Faso in 2018. This tool called chopper is able to chop fresh forage and crop residues to
make silage, hay, and compost and therefore adapted to smallholder farmers as the targets users. The chopper can
improve forage production and feeds for animals, especially for cattle. Before scaling the tool, a pre-test was carried
out on maize, sorghum and millet. Data on forages quality, chopped size, ensiling process were recorded during the
process. Furthermore, at the end, a dry matter intake trial was carried out on lactating cattle as the main beneficiaries
of the technology. The present study hypothesized that: i)-the chopped forage size with ASMC chopper doesn’t
significantly modify silage quality; ii)-the nutritive value of forage is conserved during the ensiling process.
Therefore, the aim of the study was to contribute to better forage conservation in Burkina Faso to be used all year
around and check if the chopper could be used as relevant tool for livestock production.

I. Material and methods

1. Experiment site

The study was carried out in the rural commune of Koumbia (11° 14' 0ꞌꞌ North and 3° 42' 0'' West). It is a
demonstration site of the appropriate scale mechanization consortium (ASMC) located in the Tuy’s province in
Burkina Faso (Hauts-Bassins Region, ASMC project area). The experiment was conducted at Ly Birgui’s farm at
Koumbia. The climate is sudanian type with long dry season (from November to April) and a short rainy season
(from May to October). The average annual rainfall varies between 800 and 1,100 mm with peak during June, august
and September (Vall et al., 2006). A record shows in 2018 showed 100 mm as highest average of the rain is recorded
in august. It is also the growing season of annual grasses in that area. In general, a gravelly, a hydromorphic and
sandy soils covered the study area.

2. Forage production

2.1. Crops materials

Three crops seed were used: maize variety SR21, millet variety SCHVA 69 and sorghum variety Sariaso 16. All crops
used were selected by Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) of Burkina Faso.

2.2. Experimental design

A completely randomized block design experiment with four treatments and eight (08) replications was carried out.
A total land used was 5,760 m2 divided into 32 plots of land measuring 27 m x 6 m. A total of 08 plots of land were
used to grow sorghum, millet and maize, respectively. An early planting took place between 9 and 23 May in year
2018 using the ASMC planter (Millogo et al., 2018). Weeding, fertilization and the ridging were applied according to
the recommended itinerary of Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA)

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2.3. Forage harvesting

The crops were cut as forage for silage production. After three months of growth, the entire whole plant of each
crop was cut from 25 to 30 august 2018. The crops were cut at milk stage of small grain. The machetes were used to
mow the crops and the tarpaulins were used to lay the forages down to prevent it from soil contamination. Each
crop was cut at 5 cm above soil to avoid contamination. The cutting process was conducted by a team of 15
graduate students and 03 indigenous farmers. The forages were collected using an animal-draw cart pooling by man
due to the close chopping place with the field. The working team was divided into cutting team and collecting team.
The forages were collected and dried on tarpaulin before using the chopper for chopping process (Pictures 1 et 2).

Pictures 1 and 2: Forage harvesting and transport (Millogo, 2018)

3. Chopper and characteristics

The chopper is a forage chopping tool designed and adapted by the appropriate scale mechanization consortium
(ASMC) project in Burkina Faso. It was made using local materials by artisans (blacksmiths) in Burkina Faso. It is a
very important tool for better ensiling process by reducing forage in small species for microbial action.

The chopper can be used to cut straw for composting as well as making hay. It is easy reproducible by artisan as
advantages of being local made. The maintenance doesn’t recommend that much and the chopper has two blades
(master parts) that can be replaced. Moreover, it is a manual tool and adapted to human energy especially for
smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso (West Africa) and elsewhere.

The ASMC chopper is a simple tool with total weight of 61.5 kg. The measures parameters are 145 cm high, 128 cm
long and 50 cm wide. The chopper has two blades for chopping and its average speed is 6 kg fresh forage per
minute. The chopped size of forage is 2.5 cm. The chopping yield in hour is 500 kg of forages.

4. Ensiling.

4.1. Chopping, drying and measure of water content of the forages

The forage was chopped using the ASMC chopper. Before packaging, a microwave star matic was used to estimate
the moisture content of the forage to be made for silage, given the conditions of the working environment
(Koudougou, 2018). A balance was used to measure forages samples of 500 g each (Koudougou, 2018).

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Picture 3: ASMC chopper in use (A) with the chopped forage (B) Millogo (2018).

Sampling took place at the time of settling and involved small barrels. Each layer of forage was taken as the final
forage sample. The crushed forage was placed in the microwave at 100°C. Every 15 minutes, the sample was
removed from the microwave and weighed until a stable weight which indicates that the sample was dry.

The general following calculation was applied for the moisture content:

H (%) = ((w1 - w2)/w1) x 100

W1 being the fresh weight of the initial sample; W 2 being the dry weight of the final sample.

4.2. Filling the plastic can and sealing

A total of 14 barrels of 200 L and 18 barrels of 50 L were used as silos for forage storage. Large barrels were able to
hold an average of 96.51 ± 1.55 kg of forages and small barrels were able to hold an average of 20.57 ± 1.09 kg of
forages. The plastic bags were placed in the barrels before filling so that the forage was in an anaerobic
environment. Drumsticks were used to pack the forage into the barrels.

Packaging was done in 200 L and 50 L drums using drumsticks. The inside of the barrels was covered with plastic
bags of consistent thickness. In order to obtain a better sealing, it was made in layers (Picture 3A). As for the
hermetic sealing of the barrels, after having finished welling packaging, the plastic film was folded on the top before
putting the lid of the barrel. The rims were sealed first with tape and then with film paper (Picture 3B).

Picture 4 : Packing the fodder in a drum (A), covering the packed fodder with plastic film (B), sealed
barrels (C) and opening a barrel after 07 months of ensiling (D) (Koudougou, 2018).
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4.3. Methods for determining forage composition

Dry matter and mineral contents were determined using oven à +105°C during 12 hours and using desiccator at
+550°C during 4 hours, respectively. The ADF, NDF, crude proteins (CP) crude cellulose contents were
determined using the general official methods of analysis for chemical principle (A.O.A.C, 1990).The data are
presented in percentage (%).

5. Testing the silage on lactating cows

Four (04) lactating cows called Zebu Peulh (Bos indicus) were included for testing the silage. All cows belong to
farmer and were veterinary treated before the trial. Thus, three cows were primiparous and one multiparous. The
stage of lactation was between three and four months. The trial involved feeding two cows and keeping the other
two on pasture grazing as controls. The two cows were fed 07 kg of silage in the morning before grazing and 1.3 kg
of cottonseed cake in the evening. All the animals went to the pasture in the mornings and in the evening they
received a mixture of rice bran and maize from the farmer. Milking was done by hand and took place in the
morning at 6 am and in the evening at 6 pm. Milking was done twice a day which is not common in the traditional
milk production system. It has been shown that milking frequency has a positive effect on the milk production of
the Zebu Peulh cow (Sissao et al., 2016). Milk stimulation for ejection was done by calf as typical practice in
restricted suckling system in Burkina Faso (Millogo et al., 2012). The trial period was limited to 30 days due total
amount of silage produced during the trial. However, milk quantity measurements were continued up to two weeks
after the feeding base-silage in order to observe the cross-over effects of the feeding. Those measurements are not
included here.

6. Data collection and statistical analysis

The studied parameters were: (i) the length of the pieces of silage forage and the labor time with the Chopper, (ii)
the nutritional value of crops (corn, sorghum and millet) before silage and after silage, (iii) the amount of milk
produced by the cows fed with the silage, (iv) the silage feed intake. The Data were subjected to analysis of variance
(ANOVA) using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software. The comparison of the means was
performed using Tukey test. The difference between means was considered to be significant when p-value was ≤
5%.

II. Results

1. Efficiency of the ASMC Chopper

Stem and leaf length and the working time of the chopper are recorded in Table 2. Leaf lengths for maize, millet
and sorghum were 5.00 ± 0.72, 5.68 ± 1.12 and 5.91 ± 1.36 respectively. Stem lengths for maize, millet and
sorghum were 2.30 ± 0.32; 2.31 ± 0.11 and 2.89 ± 0.21, respectively. The chopper works an average of 6.13 kg of
maize, 6.08 kg of pearl millet and 6.33 kg of sorghum in a minute.

Table 2: Lengths of the forage pieces and working time of the ASMC Chopper

Cereals Leaf length (cm) Stem length (cm) Labor time

kg/minute g/second

Maize 5.68 ± 1.12a 2.30 ± 0.32a 6.13 ± 0.13a 102.17 ± 2.20a

Tiny millet 5.91 ± 1.36a 2.31 ± 0.11a 6.08 ± 0.91a 101.28 ± 2.23a

Sorghum 5.00 ± 0.72a 2.89 ± 0.21b 6.33 ± 0.17a 105.45 ± 2.29b

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The averages of the same column with the same letters are not different (p > 0.05) but those with different letters
are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).

2. Nutritive value of raw crops

Raw crops nutritive value is presented in Table 3. Thus, maize showed higher nutritive value compares with
sorghum and millet. However, sorghum and millet showed similarities in DM and NDF content. Chemical analysis
of maize before and after ensiling showed that silage changed a few parameters of the nutritive value of maize,
namely DM content changed from 93.19 ± 0.29 to 95.09 ± 1.17% and crude cellulose from 33.95 ± 1.35 to 36.65 ±
0.94% (Table 4). For sorghum, ensiling changed only the DM content from 94.54 ± 0.86 to 96.31 ± 0.57%. The
other parameters did not change significantly. The ensiling changed a few parameters of the feed nutritive value of
millet, namely DM content, from 94.80 ± 0.37 to 96.22 ± 0.43%, and crude protein, from 7.83 ± 1.02 to 6.44 ±
0.60%.

Table 3: Nutrients content of forage prior to ensiling

Maize Sorghum Millet

DM (%) 93.19 ± 0.29a 94.54 ± 0.86b 94.80 ± 0.37b

MM (%) 7.32 ± 0.47b 6.44 ± 0.12a 9.55±0.49c

NDF (%) 63.29 ± 1.15a 69.30 ± 0.90b 70.39 ± 0.90b

ADF (%) 29.63 ± 0.98a 36.51±1.21b 39.95 ± 1.35c

CC (%) 33.95 ± 1.35a 42.42 ± 2.06b 44.36 ± 1.35bc

CP (%) 11.07 ± 0.95c 6.96 ± 0.85a 7.83 ± 1.02b

DM: dry mater content (%); Mineral Mater content (), NDF: neutral detergent fiber (%), ADF: Acid Detergent
Fiber (%); CC: Crude Cellulose (%); CP: crude proteins (%). The averages of the same column with the same letters
are not different (p > 0.05) but those with different letters are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).

Table 4: Influence of silage on the conservation of the nutritive value of different plants

Maize Sorghum Millet

Before silage After silage Before silage After silage Before silage After silage

93.19 ± 0.29a 95.09 ± 1.17b 94.54 ± 0.86a 96.31 ± 0.5b 94.80 ± 0.37a 96.22 ± 0.43b
DM (%)

7.32 ± 0.47a 7.38 ± 0.35a 6.44 ± 0.12a 6.68 ± 0.35a 9.55 ± 0.49a 9.59 ± 0.18a
MM (%)

NDF
63.29 ± 1.15a 64.83 ± 2.53a 69.30 ± 0.90a 69.39 ± 2.53a 70.39 ± 0.90a 70.39 ± 1.94a
(%)

29.63 ± 0.98a 29.72 ± 0.75a 36.51 ± 1.21a 36.17 ± 3.22a 39.95 ± 1.35a 41.42 ± 1.36a
ADF (%)

CC (%) 33.95 ± 1.35a 36.65 ± 0.94b 42.42 ± 2.06a 42.81 ± 1.23a 44.36 ± 1.35a 44.48 ± 0.63a

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CP (%) 11.07 ± 0.95a 11.07 ± 0.26a 6.96 ± 0.85a 7.06 ± 0.80a 7.83 ± 1.02b 6.44 ± 0.60a

DM: dry mater content (%) ; Mineral Mater content (%), NDF: neutral detergent fiber (%), ADF: Acid Detergent
Fiber (%); CC: Crude Cellulose (%); CP: crude proteins (%). The averages of the same column with the same letters
are not different (p > 0.05) but those with different letters are significantly different (p ≤ 0.05).

3. Silage feed intake and effect on milk production

Milk production showed consistency for cow number 2 and 3 which received silage. Cow number 1 and number 4
cows did not receive silage and showed irregularly milk production. Milk production of cow’s number 2 and
number 3 dropped from the 4th measurement, which corresponds to end silage feeding (Figure 1A). Maize silage
DM feed intake was higher in cow number 2 at 3.25 ± 0.99 kg than in cow number 3 at 2.44 ± 1.49 kg. The intakes
of cows 2 and 3 are 46 ± 14% and 35 ± 21%, respectively (Figure 1B and 1C). In the following graphic, cows are
organized in group 1 (cows 1 = received silage, number 2 and 3) and group 2 (cows 2 = without silage, cows
number 1 and 4).

Figure 1: Evolution of the milk production of cows (A) and corn silage feed intake (B and C).

III. Discussion

1. ASMC chopper efficiency

The length of the leaves is much greater than that of the stems whatever the crops. This could be due to the
difference in stiffness of the leaves and stems, with stronger stems benefiting from a cleaner, finer cut and leaves
tending to curl at the blade. In addition, the lengths obtained are longer than those found in the literature. Forage
should be chopped into small pieces of 1-1.5 cm (Ikare, 2015), 0.71-1.42 cm (Denoncourt, 2002), 5-15 cm (Savoie et
al., 1998) and 1-2 cm (Brunschwig et al., 2006). However, the chopping tool used in their study included a forage
harvester which is industrial made. According to Legarto (2000), the chopped forage must have a length that allows
for good compaction and is sufficient for chewing. As far as we are concerned, the size of the pieces of forage did
not affect the silage process. The labor time obtained indicates that a farmer using the chopper can cut more than
3,000 kg of fresh forage in three (03) hours during one day working time.

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2. Nutritive value of cereal plants before ensiling

The mineral contents of crops are 7.32 ± 0.47%, 6.44 ± 0.12% and 9.55 ± 0.49% for maize, sorghum and millet
respectively. The results for maize are similar to those of Nantoumé et al. (2000) who found 8%, but their levels for
sorghum and millet are much higher than results in current study. These levels are 10.3% for sorghum and 15.7%
for millet. According to Mongodin and Rivière (1965), the mineral matter of plants varies according to the plant
species and the vegetative stage.

The crude proteins contents of the crops are 11.07 ± 0.95% for maize, 6.96 ± 0.85% for sorghum and 7.83 ±
1.02% for millet. The current results showed higher crude proteins content than what found by Kiéma et al. (2008)
who reported 3.8%, 3.9% and 5.6% for maize, sorghum and millet, respectively. This could be explained by the
method of preservation and the vegetative stage at which the forage was cut. In our study, the forage was cut at the
early heading stage and dried in the laboratory in the shade, while in theirs it was crops residues. The same is true
for other authors such as Nantoumé et al. (2000) who found 2.2%, 3.3% and 3.9% respectively for maize, sorghum
and millet. However, our results are close to those of Arrigo et al. (2012) and Drapeau et al. (2002) who found 8.6%
and 13.6% crude proteins content of maize, respectively. The work of Black et al. (1980) showed a nitrogen content
ranging from 6.2% to 13% for sorghum. However, Leblanc et al. (2012) observed that forage nitrogen levels
increase with nitrogen fertilization. Our results show that the crude proteins content of maize is higher than that of
sorghum and millet. The crude proteins content of maize, sorghum and millet reaches the minimum nitrogen
content (7%) threshold below which, the rumen microflora does not function efficiently.

The NDF content is quite high for all crops due to the stage of cutting. The NDF for maize was 63.29 ± 1.15%,
significantly lower maize than those of sorghum and millet which were 69.30 ± 0.90 % and 70.39 ± 0.90%,
respectively (p ≤ 0.05). Our results showed high average value than those of Bernardes (2012) who found 64.4% for
millet and 65% for sorghum. Fournier (2008) and Bachand (2008) found 54.1 ± 4.6% and 45% NDF for maize,
respectively. According to Leblanc et al. (2012), an application higher than 120 kg of N/ha would cause a decrease
in NDF content.

The ADF content found in this study was also quite high. We found 29.63 ± 0.98% for maize, 36.51 ± 1.21% for
sorghum and 39.95 ± 1.35% for millet. Our results fall within the range of values found by Hugo (2018) ranging
from 15.35 to 38.04% with an average value of 30.25 ± 5.93% for cereal crops. According to Arab et al. (2009), the
proportions of NDF and ADF in forages are indications of their nutritive values; NDF shows a fairly accurate
estimate of the total fibers in the forage and a prediction of the amount of dry matter intake. Therefore, when the
NDF content increases, the feed intake decreases. According to the same author, high ADF content means lower
digestibility and metabolized energy for the animal. It can be concluded that silage base-maize has higher crude
protein content and lower fiber content (ADF and NDF).

3. Effect of silage on the preservation of the nutritive value of the forage

The comparison between cut raw maize content and silage base-maize showed slightly modification of silage
composition. Dry Matter content increased and crude protein content decreased (Table 4). Dry matter increased
from 93.19 ± 0.29 to 95.09 ± 1.17% and crude cellulose increased from 33.95 ± 1.35 to 36.65 ± 0.94%. This
increase has previously been shown by Andrieu et al. (1974) who found 7.2% of increase of the crude cellulose in
silage base-maize. According to Demarquilly et al. (1973), silage leads to a systematic increase in crud protein and
crude cellulose of 4.7% and 8.9% respectively. However, the variation in dry matter obtained in our study is in
contrast to that of Dulphy et al. (1973) who obtained a decrease in DM content of 3%. Those results could be
explained by the stage of cut. Chemical analysis of sorghum showed unchanged composition exception of DM
content. According to Baumont et al (2011), the total plant wall content may decrease due to the partial hydrolysis of
hemicelluloses during fermentation. The high temperatures could explain the increase in the dry matter content of
the forage. For millet, we observed also an increase of the DM content.

4. Feed intake

Our study showed a low maize silage intake of 46% for cow 2 and 35% for cow 3. Our results were very low
compared with those found in study by Salgado (2003). This author found an intake rate of 90% for maize silage
with Holstein cows. This could be explained by the forage distribution period (June 11 - July 11) which was at the

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beginning of the rain season. The development of rough grazing may have had a negative influence on silage feed
intake since the animals already had a source of feed.

5. Effect of silage on milk production

Results show that the maize silage consumed by cows 2 and 3 had regular and increasing milk production compared
to the other two cows 1 and 4 that had irregular production (Figure 1A). According to Cuvelier et al. (2014), forage
DM content, which is important in the dairy cow's diet has a higher content in the silage than in pasture natural
grass. This could explain the improvement in milk production because cows 2 and 3 had a higher amount of DM in
their diet. In addition, the work of Coulon et al. (1994) showed that silage increased milk production by +0.7
kg/day. Silage is still wet forage, it can help to reduce animal dehydration problem in the dry season in a sahelian
country like Burkina Faso and increase animal productivity.

CONCLUSION

The chopper is a better tool for chopping maize, millet, sorghum and other cereals and silage from those crops had
good nutritive value for silage. The silage did not have a significant effect on the nutritive value of the forage except
for the DM of the three crops which increased. The crude cellulose of maize and the crud protein of millet
decreased during the ensiling process. Overall, the ensiling process efficiently maintains the nutritive value of the
forage, which is essential in the preservation of a forage quality. The maize silage had a positive effect on milk
production. The size of the forage chopped with the ASMC chopper does not affect silage quality. In conclusion,
ASMC chopper is an appropriate tool for silage making which is a good strategy for livestock feeding system and
feed availability in Burkina Faso with conserved feed quality during the dry season.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank USAID (US agency for international development) for funding this work
(Cooperative Agreement No. AID-O-AA-L-14-00006). The current work was carried out as part of the Appropriate
Scale Mechanization Consortium (ASMC) in the feed-the-future program for Sustainable Intensification Innovation
Lab (SIIL).

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