Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Visual Indicator of Good Silage
Colour of good silage is:
- Yellowish or brownish-green — Correct Answer
- Red
- Green
- Greenish-Yellow
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Yellowish or brownish-green
Good quality, properly fermented silage has a yellowish or brownish-green colour. This colour results from the conversion of green chlorophyll to phaeophytin under the acidic conditions of silage fermentation. The colour is an important quality indicator.
Silage Quality Indicators — Visual Assessment
| Colour | Quality Indication | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowish or brownish-green | Good quality ✓ | Chlorophyll → phaeophytin (acid) |
| Bright green | Poorly fermented | pH not dropped sufficiently |
| Black / very dark brown | Overheated / spoiled | Aerobic spoilage or Maillard reaction |
| Olive brown | Acceptable | Moderate fermentation |
Silage Quality Classification
| Grade | pH | Ammoniacal N (% of total N) | Butyric acid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Good | 3.5–4.2 | <10% | Nil |
| Good | 4.2–4.5 | 10–15% | Trace |
| Fair | ≥4.8 | ≥20% | Some amount |
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Red → not a natural silage colour; would indicate contamination or unusual chemical reaction.
- Green → indicates inadequate fermentation/acidification; silage pH has not dropped sufficiently.
- Greenish-Yellow → close but not the standard textbook description; "Yellowish or brownish-green" is precise.
📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition
This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.
