The Effect of Dry Matter Content and Silage Additives on the Fermentation of Bunker-Made Grass Silage on Commercial Farms in England 1984-91

Abstract

A total of 14 636 samples of silage made in bunkers on commercial farms between 1984 and 1991 were analysed to investigate the effect of dry matter (DM) content and silage additives on fermentation as measured by ammonia-N concentration and pH. Increasing DM content without additive use had a major beneficial influence on fermentation. When silage DM contents were greater than 220 g/kg about 66% of the silages were well fermented. Below this with diminishing DM concentration the proportion of well fermented silages declined such that with DM below 180 g/kg only 27% were well fermented.