Abstract
Corn and forage sorghum silages were stored in small (simulated), farm-scale, bunker silos for 180 days, and dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) losses; fermentation characteristics; and temperatures were measured at 10, 20, and 30 inches from the original silage surface. Sealing the exposed surface significantly increased DM and OM recoveries in both crops, regardless of depth. Immediate sealing preserved more DM and OM than delayed sealing, particularly at the 10-in. depth. The unsealed silages from both crops maintained dramatically higher temperatures within the top 3 ft. than sealed silages. As expected, the unsealed silages deteriorated completely at 10- and 20-in. depths, and the delayed-seal, forage sorghum silage showed considerable deterioration at the 10-in. depth. The immediately sealed corn silages had better fermentation profiles than their forage sorghum counterparts. A mold inhibitor, Top Savor®, increased OM recovery by about 2 percent in the forage sorghum silage, but had no effect on corn silage. These results indicate that sealing (covering) silos immediately after filling greatly improves storage efficiency and silage quality in the top 3 ft.
Highlights
Bunkers, trenches, or stacks appear to be economical for storing large amounts of ensiled feeds, but their design allows large percentages of the ensiled material to be exposed to the weather
A mold inhibitor, Top Savor®, increased organic matter (OM) recovery by about 2 percent in the forage sorghum silage, but had no effect on corn silage
The unsealed silage retained less dry matter (DM) and OM at each depth than the sealed silages, and fermentation characteristics at the 10- and 20-in. depths were significantly improved by all three sealing treatments
Summary
Trenches, or stacks appear to be economical for storing large amounts of ensiled feeds, but their design allows large percentages of the ensiled material to be exposed to the weather. Silage in horizontal silos is affected by other influences such as crop DM, permeability of the silo walls, surface area exposure during filling, length of storage, and rate of removal, all of which result in a wide range of preservation losses throughout the silage mass. Of unsealed alfalfa silage after 12 wks of storage. To date, controlled experiments under farm-scale conditions have not adequately characterized DM losses in the top layer for corn and sorghum silages. Such data are necessary to assess the economic feasibility of sealing (covering) silage in horizontal silos. Of horizontal silos and to develop research techniques that simulate farm-scale conditions Our objectives were to determine the extent of losses in the top 3 ft. of horizontal silos and to develop research techniques that simulate farm-scale conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call