Ensiling can be one of the most effective ways to preserve high-quality forage with minimal nutrient loss. When ensiled properly, the nutritive value (e.g., protein, fiber) of silage is only slightly less than fresh forage, and field losses are generally lower compared to haying. Ensiling also permits the use of a wider range of crops including grasses, legumes, grains, corn and salvage crops that have suffered weather damage or weed infestation.
The key to silage preservation is excluding oxygen and promoting fermentation. Lactic acid-producing bacteria convert (ferment) plant sugars into lactic acid, which lowers pH and stabilizes the feed. To achieve proper fermentation, you must start with a high-quality forage crop, harvest the forage at the correct moisture, exclude air from the chopped forage as quickly as possible and tightly seal the silo, pit or bunker.
Six Key Recommendations for Silage Harvest and Management
Moisture: Aim for 60-65% moisture at harvest to increase packing effectiveness and quality. A moisture content that is too high promotes undesirable fermentation bacteria leading to nutrient loss and spoilage. If moisture is too low, the silage will not pack properly, resulting in increased trapped air leading to excess spoilage.
Chop Length: Chop cereals, grass and alfalfa at a length of 3/8 to ½ inches and corn at ¼ to ½ inches if unprocessed or ¾ inch if processed. Shorter chop lengths pack better and reduce air pockets.
Packing: When packing chopped forage, aim for a minimum of 40–45 lbs of fresh forage per cubic foot. A general recommendation is to use 800 lbs of packing weight per ton delivered per hour. Each packing layer should be no more than 6 inches thick.
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