Oxygen is the enemy of quality silage. Improperly sealing the silo is a key culprit to forage spoilage and goes beyond the plastic seal most growers use. Different silage storage systems warrant varied maintenance protocols, and no structure is without its challenges regarding structure integrity. Prior to refilling any silage structure, make sure to remove all remaining feed or forage, particularly if there is any spoiled or poor-quality feed that remains. Acids produced during silage production can be damaging to concrete and any metal in the silo and can cause deterioration and damage to these surfaces.
If you are using bunker silos, remember that oxygen can permeate concrete walls and floors, and is a particular problem if we have cracks present in those surfaces. Upright concrete silos may have the same challenge in addition to leaking doors and damaged roofs. Silage bags can bring on a host of challenges – from holes and tears from birds and wildlife to contamination at feed out from placement on a poor-quality base.
Some quick reminders regarding management of different silage storage structures are below.
Spring Bunker Silo Management Considerations
- Inspect walls, joints, and floors for cracks. Patch cracks or consider sealing with plastic or masonry paint.
- Inspect and clean drains to allow seepage to flow away from the silage pile toward a dedicated area.
- Best practice is to line part of the floor and walls of the bunker to create a tight seal to alleviate oxygen seepage. Those filling the bunker must be cautious to avoid damage to plastic while pushing forage into layers and packing.
- When removing feed from the bunker, use caution not to damage plastic in place. Doing so triggers oxygen infiltration and secondary fermentation, speeding the spoilage of feed.
Spring Tower Silo Management Considerations
- Note areas in the silo where feed spoilage consistently occurs
- Inspect walls to identify cracks
- Inspect and replace damaged doors
- Inspect silo seals for leaks and consider re-sealing when appropriate
- Inspect and repair ladders, cages, and chutes
- Inspect and repair unloaders, cables, and pulleys as appropriate
- Inspect and install safety guards
- Older silos (most are) should be professionally inspected regularly for necessary maintenance needs
Spring Silo Bag or Silage Pile Management Considerations
- Assess bag/pile placement – avoid areas that are highly trafficked, poorly drained, or accessible to wildlife
- If mud is an issue, place bags on a firm base such as concrete or packed limestone screenings to limit soil contamination
- Level ruts as soon as weather conditions allow
- Ensure bag/pile is sloped to encourage water to drain away from the feed face
- Inspect bags/piles regularly to identify bird, rodent, weather, and child damage. Repair all holes promptly
Spring Silage Maintenance Safety Considerations
Always keep safety top of mind when you are inspecting and repairing silage structures. Each comes with its own challenges.
- Follow OSHA’s Confined Space Entry Protocols for upright silos.
- Use a harness and connect to a lifeline.
- Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Employ lock out/tag out to ensure all equipment is turned off and cannot be accidentally turned on.
- Wear high-visibility clothing when working around flat storage structures.
- Never approach the silage face on foot. Maintain a distance of at least three times the silage height to avoid avalanche dangers.
- Work in pairs. An observer should be outside the silo, maintaining communication to call for help if needed.
While the list of daily tasks on a livestock or dairy farm never seems to end, maintenance of forage storage systems is an important step to reduce feed shrink, protect profitability and animal health by better managing the feed we put into storage. The adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that certainly applies to ensuring our high-quality forage is stored in a high-quality structure.
Source : wisc.edu