NASSER S. AL-GHUMAIZ*
Department of Plant Production and Protection,
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,
Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*(e-mail : ngmiez@qu.edu.sa)
(Received : 17 July 2020; Accepted : 10 September, 2020)
SUMMARY
There are a limited number of cultivated forage species in Saudi Arabia. The most common forage species is alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Therefore, hay production in the country is reliant on alfalfa and a few grass species. However, there is a tendency to standardize the productivity of this crop in the Kingdom due to its high water requirements. Large quantities of barley seed (Hordeum vulgare) are imported annually at exorbitant prices to meet the increasing demand for animal products. In addition, each of the important forage crops that are characterized by low water requirements compared to alfalfa, clover, and with its tolerance to heat and salinity, and high-energy content (carbohydrates). Thus, it is crucial to introduce other forage sources such as using silage to bridge the deficit in local forage crop resources. Silage is not commonly utilized as a source of animal feed among animal producers in Saudi Arabia, due to the lack of interest among animal producers. Thus, the aim of this review is to present information about the silage industry and the possibility of making silage from date palm residues as an alternative source of animal feed in Saudi Arabia.
Key words:Saudi Arabia, forage production, animal Feed, silage Preparation, date palm residues