Silage School: Training for Sustainable Milk and Meat Production in Puerto Rico

Commodities

Practices

Sustainable ruminant production in Puerto Rico faces interconnected challenges, including limited land availability, variable climate conditions, and low-quality tropical forages that restrict pasture productivity and animal performance. In addition, high costs and limited availability of imported feed ingredients reduce farm profitability and increase dependence on external markets. These constraints highlight the need for locally adapted feeding strategies that improve efficiency and sustainability.

Silage offers a practical and science-based solution by enabling the conservation of locally grown forages for year-round use. When properly managed, silage reduces dependence on imported feeds, improves nutrient preservation, lowers feed costs, and enhances livestock productivity. It also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing feed waste, improving nutrient use efficiency, minimizing nutrient runoff, and supporting the use of agricultural byproducts. In tropical environments such as Puerto Rico, silage is a critical tool for stabilizing feed supply under variable weather conditions.

This project, "Silage School: Training for Sustainable Milk and Meat Production in Puerto Rico," will build technical capacity among agricultural professionals and mentor farmers through targeted education and applied training. Activities include regional workshops, on-farm demonstrations, an annual symposium on silage technologies and economics, and the development of educational materials adapted to tropical production systems.

The expected outcomes are increased knowledge and adoption of best management practices for silage production, improved feed quality and efficiency, reduced feed costs, and decreased reliance on imported feed resources. Overall, the project will strengthen the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of livestock systems in Puerto Rico through improved forage conservation practices.

The overarching goal of this project is to strengthen sustainable livestock production systems in Puerto Rico by increasing the adoption of efficient and environmentally sound silage production practices among agricultural professionals and mentor farmers. Improving silage quality and utilization will enhance milk and meat production efficiency, reduce feed costs, and decrease dependence on imported feed ingredients. Given Puerto Rico's tropical climate, characterized by high humidity, rapid forage growth, and seasonal rainfall variability, silage is a critical strategy for ensuring a stable, high-quality feed supply for ruminant systems. This project focuses on building technical capacity, improving decision-making, and promoting the adoption of best management practices across the island.

The project will be implemented over two years using a regional approach to maximize accessibility and impact. Year 1 will focus on the western region, and Year 2 will target the southern region, allowing adaptation to regional production conditions and strengthening local engagement.

Objective 1: Develop workshops for professional and mentor farmers to introduce the fundamentals of sustainable silage production. Regional workshops will be developed and delivered to train agricultural professionals and mentor farmers in silage production fundamentals. Training will include forage selection, harvest timing, chop length and particle size, moisture management, compaction, use of microbial inoculants and additives, and proper storage techniques adapted to tropical conditions. Workshops will combine classroom instruction with hands-on demonstrations and applied exercises to strengthen practical skills in silage preparation and evaluation. Expected participation is 60-80 individuals per year, with at least 75% demonstrating knowledge gains based on pre- and post-assessments, and 60% reporting intent to recommend improved practices.

Objective 2: Conduct on-farm demonstrations showcasing best management practices for sustainable silage production. On-farm demonstration sites will be established at the University of Puerto Rico Agricultural Experiment Stations and collaborating farms. These sites will function as applied learning environments where participants can evaluate silage systems under real production conditions. Demonstrations will highlight best management practices, including forage selection, harvest timing, moisture control, compaction methods, storage systems (silo bags and round bale silage), and additive use. Field days will support direct observation, interaction with specialists, and peer learning. The project will establish 2-3 demonstration sites per year, engage at least 60 participants annually, and result in at least 50% of participants adopting or recommending at least one improved silage practice within 6-12 months.

Objective 3: Organize an annual symposium focused on current silage technologies, commercial additives, and production economics. An annual symposium will serve as a regional platform for knowledge exchange among researchers, extension agents, industry representatives, and farmers. The event will highlight silage technologies, commercial additives, and production economics relevant to tropical systems. Topics will include microbial inoculants, enzyme-based additives, improved storage technologies, reduction of dry matter losses, and cost-benefit analysis of silage systems. National and international experts will be invited alongside local researchers and experienced producers. The symposium is expected to reach 75-100 stakeholders annually, increase awareness of cost-effective technologies, and strengthen collaboration across research, extension, and producer networks.

Objective 4: Develop and publish educational fact sheets, technical bulletins, and extension materials to disseminate best practices for silage production in tropical environments. Educational materials will be developed to support long-term adoption of improved silage practices. Products will include illustrated fact sheets, technical bulletins, and extension guides written in accessible language for producers, professionals and other stakeholders. Content will address silage preparation, fermentation troubleshooting, spoilage identification, forage selection, and additive use under tropical conditions. Materials will be distributed through extension offices, institutional platforms, social media, and field activities in both regions. Expected outputs include 4-6 fact sheets and 2 technical bulletins per year, reaching at least 300 stakeholders.

The project target audience and outreach strategy will engage agricultural extension agents, NRCS personnel, agronomists from the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, industry representatives, vocational agriculture teachers, and mentor farmers. Outreach will be delivered through workshops, on-farm demonstrations, field days, and digital dissemination to maximize reach and reinforce learning across regions.

This project is designed to produce measurable behavioral change. Participants are expected to adopt or recommend improved silage practices and transfer knowledge to additional producers, creating a multiplier effect. Increased use of locally produced forages and agricultural by-products will reduce reliance on imported feed. Participants will improve silage evaluation and troubleshooting skills, reducing losses and increasing feed efficiency. Follow-up evaluations at 6 and 12 months will assess adoption rates, management changes, and economic and production impacts. Overall, this project will strengthen local capacity, improve livestock system resilience, and enhance sustainability and profitability in Puerto Rico