Silage Management

A number of spoilage microorganisms (yeasts, bacteria and molds) are naturally present on crops as they enter a bunker or silo. To prevent these microorganisms from causing losses in dry matter and quality, two conditions are required: an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment and low pH. Some spoilage microorganisms can be inhibitted using inoculants to lower the pH and ensile the forage. Good management techniques including packing, covering, sealing, feedout management and the use of spoilage inhibitors are necessary to help control aerobic spoilage microorganisms.

Storage and Handling Management:
Whether your forages are stored in upright tower silos, trenches, bunkers, pits or bags there are specific management practices to improve forage quality and increase efficiency. Click on the links below that are specific to your storage system.

Sizing Horizontal Silos (PDF)

Asphalt for Silo Floors (PDF)

Penn State - Horizontal Silos Fact Sheet (PDF)

Penn State - Horizontal Silo Safety (PDF)

Silage Density Update (PDF)

Dairy Herd Management - Secure Your Sidewalls (PDF)

Management of Towers (PDF)

Management of Bunkers/Piles (PDF)

Management of Bags (PDF)

Capacity Chart (PDF)

Feedout Rates

University of Wisconsin Forage Research

Research of Dr. Limin Kung, Jr.

Silage Profiling Data Sheet

UW Extension Nutrition Spreadsheets

Top 12 Forage Tips

Silage Production Checklist

Articles:

Improving the Aerobic Stability of Silages (PDF)

Milk2006 for Corn Silage

Ensuring Your Silage Stocks Match Your Expansion Plans (PDF)

Optimizing Forage Quality (PDF)

More Silage Management links:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Dairy_Nutrition

http://www.farms.com/

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/index.html

http://www.traill.uiuc.edu/dairynet/

http://www.animal.ufl.edu/extension/beef/pubs.shtml

Printer Friendly