In modern dairy and livestock farming, the availability of quality feed is one of the most critical factors that determine productivity. Many commercial farmers struggle with harvesting and storing enough fodder for their animals, especially during the dry season. This is where forage harvesters come in as a game-changing innovation.
A forage harvester is a machine designed to cut and chop fodder crops such as maize, Napier grass, or sorghum into small, digestible pieces. These chopped materials are then preserved as silage, ensuring that livestock have access to nutritious feed throughout the year.
Sabastian Ngambwa, a dairy farmer in Zirobwe, explains that before acquiring a forage harvester, he relied heavily on manual labour, which was slow and costly.
“Workers would take several days to cut and chop grass for silage, and by then some of it had already lost quality. With the harvester, I can prepare silage for an entire season within days. My cows now have consistent, high-quality feed, and milk production has greatly increased,” he says.
Hood Kasirye, another dairy farmer from Mityana shares a similar experience. He notes that forage harvesters reduce feed wastage and improve efficiency. “The machine chops fodder uniformly, making it easy for cows to chew and digest. This reduces stress on the animals and improves weight gain and milk yields. It also lowers labor costs because fewer workers are needed to prepare feed.”
Experts emphasise that forage harvesters are particularly important for commercial farmers who manage large herds. They not only guarantee feed security but also improve profitability by cutting down operational costs.
