SOFTWARE COMPLEX FOR PERFORMING CALCULATIONS FOR SUCCULENT FODDER CONSERVATION
This article considers the issues of optimizing calculations being carried out in the process of succulent fodder conservation in farming enterprises. Silage is the basic fodder in housing and whole-year periods and may constitute up to 50 % of the diet structure. This kind of fodder has positive effect on the digestive system of cattle and stimulates the appetite, that results in the increased fodder consumption and more efficient use of the nutrients contained in the fodder. In this respect, it is important to provide the improvement of the fodder quality and increase of the nutrient density through introducing various feed supplements, preparations, etc. The developed «SILOS» software complex serves to performing calculations on the regulation of moisture content in the fodder; enrichment of the fodder with nitrogen containing preparations for the increased protein density; acidification, reducing the effect of organic acids excess; the maximum daily dosage of silage with and without applying deoxidizing agents, taking into account live animal weight. In addition to the main calculations, a module for determining silage amount in trenches, stacks of different forms and towers and calculation of the total plant material amount has been introduced. The module of determining the minimum pH in silaging shows the acidification degree that reflects the resistance of the fodder to the development of aerobic and anaerobic putrefying bacteria. The proposed software complex enables a user to solve the main problems related to the conservation of silage and determination of its optimal and safe dosage in cattle diet.