Silo Bag Research Articles

Evolution of Industrial Quality Parameters of Wheat during Storage in White and Colored Silo Bags: A Field-Scale Study

Over the past two decades, the silo bag system has gained popularity for storing grains and by-products under hermetic conditions. However, the impact of higher temperatures in the outer grain layer on key industrial parameters, such as wheat baking quality, remains insufficiently understood. Traditional silo bags are black on the inside and white on the outside to reflect sunlight, but colored bags, recently introduced to the market, absorb more heat, potentially warming the grain and causing damage. This study aimed to assess the effect of grain strata and bag color on grain temperature and quality under field conditions. Results showed a significant surface temperature increase in colored bags compared to white ones, approximately 3 °C, which affected the temperature of the peripheral grain layer. Moisture content slightly increased (0.2 percentage points) in the outer grain layer. However, many industrial quality parameters (protein content, P/L, W, and loaf volume) and the germination test for wheat, showed no significant differences between colored and white bags or between different strata after 120 days of storage, although the falling number increased and wet gluten decreased. These findings suggest that, despite surface temperature differences, the overall industrial quality of wheat remains unaffected by external bag coloration. The influence of ambient temperature on the peripheral layer was estimated to affect approximately 5–10% of the grain mass, indicating that adverse impacts on grain quality may go unnoticed without implementing stratified sampling techniques.

PSXIV-12 Evaluation of an Ensiled, Self-Fed Diet for Backgrounding Beef Cattle

Abstract Self-feeding of ensiled forages consists in allowing the animals to feed from the silo face through a physical barrier. Energy, protein, and mineral supplements are offered separately in free-choice portable feeders. Compared with offering a total mixed ration, the self-feeding system could result in differences in ensiled forage and supplement intake and may increase animal performance variability. Ensiling a complete diet may contribute to overcome these drawbacks. This study compared the performance of calves that consumed an ensiled backgrounding diet from a silo-bag face (self-feeding, SF) with that of calves fed a diet mixed and delivered daily in a feed bunk (TMR). A single forage sweet sorghum crop was harvested and bagged to be used in the TMR treatment, or harvested and added a dry supplement (45% finely-ground corn grain, 50% extruded soybean meal, and 5% vitamin-mineral premix without ionophore) during bagging, using an adjustable-discharge hopper mounted above the bagger’s packing rotor, to be used in the SF treatment. Regardless of treatment, the diet consisted of 61% forage sorghum and 39% dry supplement (DM basis; 9.9 and 11.6% CP, 42.3 and 43.8% NDF, and 9.8 and 9.5% starch for TMR and SF diets, respectively). Bagged feeds were allowed to ensile for 50 d before experiment began. Two hundred fifty-two, non-implanted Angus calves (224 ± 4.6 kg) were blocked by body weight (BW) and coat color resulting in 6 blocks and 1 pen/block per treatment with 12 or 30 animals per TMR or SF pen, respectively; more animals were required in the SF pens to maintain feed fresh and reduce spoilage, though BW was measured on 12 calves. Pens assigned to SF treatment were each equipped with a silo bag blocked off with an iron fence. The TMR animals were fed ad libitum once a day. In SF pens, feed was carved from the silo-bag face manually twice daily using a pitchfork onto a pile on the fence’s bag side. Cattle were fed for 70 d and held off feed and water for 16 h to record initial (day 1) and final BW (day 70). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. Rate of BW gain, DMI, and DMI relative to BW were greater (P < 0.01; Table 1) for SF calves compared with TMR, resulting in greater (P = 0.03) final BW but similar (P = 0.36) ADG:DMI. Coefficient of variation (CV) of final BW and ADG and the increase in CV of BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.93) between treatments. Similar feed efficiency and animal performance variability were achieved by feeding an ensiled ration offered in a self-feeding system or a traditional TMR. The former might represent a simple and feasible feeding alternative for small-size beef cattle operations.

The pentalogy of cantrell in limited resources: A case report

Background: Pentalogy of Cantrell (PC) is a rare anomaly, and the incidence varies from 5.5 to 7.9 per million live births. The components are defined as a defect of the lower sternum, a midline supraumbilical thoracoabdominal wall defect, a deficiency of the diaphragmatic pericardium, a deficiency of the anterior diaphragm, and congenital cardiac anomalies. The pathognomonic characteristic of this syndrome is the coexistence of omphalocele and ectopia cordis. Diagnosis is possible by antenatal or physical examination, and other tests should be performed to detect other anomalies, including the heart's anomaly. Surgical treatment is complex, and various operative techniques often require a staged approach. The mortality rate is quite high, with a survival rate of less than 5%. Case presentation: Two-day-old male infant was complained that his heart had been outside his chest wall since birth without covering by skin or sternum. He was born on aterm through section cesarean with a vigorous baby condition. Section cesarean was chosen because his mother has Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)—no family history with similar symptoms. While pregnant, the mother regularly checks with the midwife and fetal ultrasonography only once during the third trimester but did not find the defect, no history of drug abuse, teratogen exposure, smoking, alcohol, or consanguinity. The midline defect extended from the lower part of the sternum completely. Echocardiography found defects such as classic Tetralogy of Fallot, mild atrial regurgitation, mild mitral regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation, and suspect mass at left atrium (LA). The patients underwent surgery by covering the heart with a silo bag. Three days after the procedure, the patient's condition worsened and death because of the sepsis. Conclusion: Prenatal diagnosis is important in guiding the surgical team to estimate the prognosis and reduce a postnatal management strategy. Early management can provide the basic care necessary to keep the patients until definitive management can be provided.

Storing Peanuts in Grain Bags

HighlightsExisting bag loading equipment may be used to load both in-shell and shelled oil stock peanuts.Grain bags can be loaded at 1.2 t/m of in-shell peanuts and 2.3 t/m of shelled oil stock peanuts.Existing extraction equipment requires modification to unload shelled oil stock peanuts due to poor flow characteristics.Grain bags not suitable for storing in-shell peanuts due to significant moisture migration and quality reduction under typical Georgia conditions.Abstract.Edible grade farmers’ stock peanuts and shelled oil stock peanuts were stored in hermetically sealed silo or grain bags to determine their suitability for short-term storage. The objectives of the study were to evaluate equipment for loading and unloading the grain bags, the capacity of the grain bags, and the changes in quality. In May 2015, approximately 90 Mg of farmers’ stock (in-shell) peanuts from the 2014 crop were unloaded from a commercial warehouse, transported to Dawson, Georgia, and loaded into two 2.7 m diameter grain bags. Similarly, 85 Mg of shelled oil stock peanuts were loaded into two 2.7 m diameter grain bags. Farmers’ stock bags were unloaded after 30 and 60-d storage. A vacuum extractor and a skid steer loader were used due to wet peanuts in the top of the bag. Both oil stock bags were unloaded after 60-d storage. A skid steer loader was used to unload the oil stock bags because shelled oil stock peanuts did not flow adequately to use the conventional bag extraction equipment. Oxygen content in the farmers’ stock peanuts decreased from ambient levels (21%) to an average of 8.6% after 15-d storage. After 20-d storage, the oxygen content in the oil stock had decreased to 14%. A layer of high moisture peanuts due to moisture migration and subsequent condensation in the top of both of the farmers’ stock bags resulted in the peanuts being unsuitable for human consumption and reduced the value from $342/Mg to approximately $125/Mg for oil stock, a 63% reduction in value. No moisture problems were observed in the oil stock bags when they were unloaded. Based on these studies, sealed grain bags would be unsuitable for temporarily storing farmers’ stock peanuts under typical Georgia conditions. Sealed grain bags could possibly be used to store oil stock peanuts for 60 d, but suitable unloading equipment would have to be found or developed. Keywords: Grain bag, Groundnut, Handling, Hermetic, Peanut, Silo bag, Storage.

Spatial arrangement of silo bags is key to mitigate damage by wildlife.

Silo bag is a major harvest storage option in many countries worldwide. Wildlife interacts with this new element in the rural landscape. As a result, wildlife activity could generate breaks in silo bag lining, causing losses to the stored content. The aim of this study was to analyze the damage in silo bags by large hairy armadillos (Chaetophractus villosus) according to different spatial arrangements of silo bags, in order to propose a management strategy to reduce the damage. Our prediction was that silo bags arranged in a cluster would have less damage by large hairy armadillos than bags arranged in a row or than single (isolated) bags at a certain plot. In addition, we expected that in a cluster the exposed outside of the bags would show increased damage compared to the inside of the cluster. We measured 294 silo bags. Damage intensity (number of breaks/100 m silo bag perimeter) in silo bags arranged in a cluster was 72% lower than in bags arranged in a row (P= 0.03), and 77% lower than in single bags (P= 0.001). Moreover, we detected that damage intensity inside was 75% lower than outside of a cluster (P= 0.001). We propose grouping in a cluster of parallel bags instead of installing them in a row or isolated bags at plot as a strategy that could be adopted and implemented by farmers in order to reduce the damage by large hairy armadillos, the most harmful wildlife species to silo bags in Argentina. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Is fetal magnetic resonance imaging volumetry of eventrated organs in gastroschisis predictive for surgical treatment?

BackgroundFetal MRI is increasingly used in congenital abdominal wall defects. In gastroschisis, the role of fetal MRI in surgical therapy is poorly understood. Currently, the type of repair is determined primarily by clinical presentation and institutional preference.ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of fetal MRI volumetry in gastroschisis treatment.Materials and methodsWe included 22 cases of gastroschisis in this retrospective single-center study. Routine fetal MRI scans were acquired between Jan. 1, 2006, and July 1, 2018, at gestational ages of 19–34 postmenstrual weeks. Fetal-MRI-based manual segmentation and volumetry were performed utilizing steady-state free precision and T2-weighted sequences. Acquired parameters included intraabdominal volume, eventrated organ volume and total fetal body volume, and we calculated a volume ratio between eventrated organ volume and intraabdominal volume (E/I ratio).ResultsPrimary closure was conducted in 13 cases and silo bag treatment with delayed closure in 9 cases. Prenatal MRI volumetry showed a significantly higher E/I ratio in patients with silo bag treatment with delayed closure (mean [M]=0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30, 0.40) than in primary closure (M=0.23, 95% CI 0.19, 0.27; P=0.004). We propose a volume ratio cutoff value of 0.27 for predicting silo bag treatment.ConclusionFetal MRI predicted silo bag treatment in patients with gastroschisis in 90% of the cases in our cohort and might facilitate prenatal counseling and treatment planning.

Quality of soy bean grain stored in bag silo

Because of the rise in the use of bag silo in the last harvests due to the lack of static capacity in Brazil, the storage of grain in type of structure is currently seen as a solution to our storage deficit. Thus, the importance of maintaining the quality of grains for commercialization in these systems is considered. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the quality of soybean grain stored in a silo bag, in the region of Dourados, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazilian Central-West. The experiment was carried out in a cooperative, where soybean grain stored in silo bag are collected. The product had been received, processed at the end of the summer harvest and previously stored in metallic silos, and then transferred to the silo bags upon reception of the winter harvest. Thus, soybeans with an average water content of 11% w.b. were packed in bags composed of high-density polyethylene and hermetically sealed over a total period of 125 days, with collections of data on temperature and air relative humidity and grain sampling every 40 days. The collected samples were subjected to plant classification and analyses of water content, water activity, protein, lipids and color parameters were also performed. Na average rise of 5° C was observed in the temperature and 14% for air relative humidity which resulted in the of moldy and fermented grains after 125 days in the bags. The storage period factor was significant (p <0.05) in the variables of water content, color and oil. It was concluded that for soybeans the storage period in hermetic bags influences the quality of the grains and the internal environmental conditions in these structures are influenced by the convective microcurrents observed in the different positions inside the silo bag.

Biopesticidal silo bag prepared by co-extrusion process

Silo bag technology is used for storing grains in a hermetic plastic structure. The major limitation of this structure is resistance to improper handling and external aggression, thus promoting pest incidence due to alterations in its internal atmosphere. In this study, we developed a biopesticidal silo bag consisting of a co-extruded three-layer film made of polyethylene and essential oil of Mentha piperita (7% w/w) in the inner layer. A film with the same structure but without essential oil was produced to be used as a control. The presence of the biopesticide in the silo bag was confirmed by FTIR-spectroscopy. Thus, mechanical, optical and chemical properties were evaluated. Diffusion coefficient of biopesticide from silo bag at 15, 25 and 35 °C was estimated as 6.4 ± 0.1 × 10-11, 1.45 ± 0.17 × 10-10 and 1.30 ± 0.2 × 10-10 cm2/s, respectively. Finally, the biopesticide silo bag was tested against Rhyzopertha dominica, primary pest of stored grain, showing 100 % of mortality during the time assayed (7 days). Hence, the incorporation of biopesticide by co-extrusion technology (low-cost and efficient machinery) into the inner layer of a silo bag could help to replace synthetic pesticides and avoid manipulation of these in the field, preventing biotic infestation.

The Effectiveness of Different Household Storage Strategies and Plant-Based Preservatives for Dehulled and Sun-Dried Breadfruit Seeds

In a tropical rainforest environment, different storage strategies are often adopted in the preservation of primary processed food crops, such as maize, sorghum, etc., after drying and dehulling to increase shelf-life. For breadfruit seeds (Treculia Africana), the current challenge is identifying the most appropriate short-term storage and packaging methods that can retain the quality of stored products and extend shelf-life. In this regard, we compared the performance of a plastic container, a weaved silo bag and a locally developed silo bin for the short-term storage of parboiled, dehulled and dried breadfruit seeds treated with locally sourced and affordable alligator pepper (Zingiberaceaeaframomum melegueta) and bitter kola (garcinia) powder as preservatives. We show that the concentration of CO2 was lower in the silo bin treated with 150 g alligator pepper and higher in the silo bag-treated with 100 g bitter kola nut. A higher CO2 concentration resulted in limited oxygen availability, higher water vapor, and a higher heat release rate. Non-treated bag storage had the highest average mold count of 1.093 × 103 CFU/mL, while silo bin-stored breadfruit treated with 150 g of alligator pepper had the lowest mold count of 2.6 × 102 CFU/mL. The storage time and botanical treatments influenced both the crude protein and crude fiber content. Average insect infestations were low (0–4.5) in the silo bin with breadfruits treated with alligator pepper powder, as the seeds seemed to continue to desorb moisture in storage, unlike in other treatments. The obtained results revealed the high potential of alligator pepper (Zingiberaceaeaframomum melegueta) as a botanical insecticide in preventing insect infestation and mold growth in stored breadfruit instead of using synthetic insecticide. An aluminum silo bin with alligator pepper powder is recommended to store dried and dehulled breadfruit seeds as a baseline for other tropical crops.

Simplified preformed silo bag crafted from standard equipment in African Hospitals.

Silo bags are synthetic, flexible silicone bags used to cover and protect the bowel of neonates born with gastroschisis. They are transparent, which enables clinicians to visualise bowel colour and allows for gentle reduction until closure. Silo bags are expensive, and different sizes are needed depending on the gastroschisis size. Currently, tertiary hospitals in low-income countries experience great difficulty in purchasing these bags. Therefore, in this article, we present a method for creating a preformed silo bag by utilising readily available disposable equipment in secondary or tertiary hospitals. The disposable equipment required includes a 200- or 500-ml saline or blood bag, 16- or 18-Fr silicone/latex Foley catheter, Opsite® and 2-0 silk suture. The saline bag is cut and opened transversely. The Foley catheter is cut corresponding to the diameter of the saline bag opening, and both ends of the catheter piece are connected to each other to create a 'circle', which is used as the base for the opening. The edge of the saline bag is turned inside out around the catheter and then securely closed with a continuous suture, which fixes the folded part of the bag to the catheter. These silo bags are cheap and easily and quickly prepared at any centre in Africa and very similar to manufactured silo bags, which are comparatively costly and difficult to procure in limited-resource environments.

Quality of white Gurgutuba creole beans stored in silo bags and PET bottles

Hermetic storage in silo bag has provided a viable alternative for farms. This study evaluates the use ofsilo bags as an alternative for storing creole beans. The experiment was conducted in the UFAC seedlaboratory. The beans were stored in silo bags for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days or in PET bottles, whichis the common practice. In the control treatment, PET bottles sealed with organza fabric were used.The experimental model was factorial CRD with subdivided plots and four replications, with the plots being storage conditions; and sub-plots, storage periods. The degree of infestation, moisture content, apparent specific mass, germination percentage and electrical conductivity were evaluated at 30 - day intervals. There was significant variation (p < 0.05) between storage types Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) and Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), then infestations occurred. Infestation using these bruchids was < 7% in the beans stored in the silo bag and PET bottle. For the control treatment, the degree of infestation was slightly higher (p < 0.05)with rates of > 90% after 120 days. The moisture content, specific mass, germination, and electrical conductivity of the beans stored in the silo bag and PET bottle preserved the characteristics analyzed over the 120-day period with the exception of control treatment. Storage in silo bags is an effective alternative for controlling infestation and maintaining quality, in terms of moisture content, specific mass, germination, and electrical conductivity, for up to 120 days.

Damage to silo bags by mammals in agroecosystems: a contribution for mitigating human–wildlife conflicts

Abstract ContextDamage to harvest storage systems by mammals and associated postharvest losses generate human–wildlife conflicts. Silo bags have been widely adopted worldwide as a type of temporary harvest storage for agricultural crops. The basis of silo-bag technology is the hermetic condition of the plastic lining. Breaks in this silo-bag lining by mammals generate damage of stored content and are a serious concern for farmers, who generally take actions against wildlife with consequent impacts on the environment. AimsWe described the incidence and intensity of breaks in silo-bag linings by different mammal groups (armadillos, canids and rodents) in agroecosystems of central Argentina, and we analysed the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on patterns of breakage of silo bags, and propose management options based on cultural methods tending to prevent damage and reduce human–wildlife conflicts. MethodsSampling was conducted during the austral summer and winter of 2018, at three sites in the Pampas of Argentina. At each site, we chose farms that were using at least one silo bag, described silo-bag characteristics, and recorded the number of breaks in silo bags generated by mammals. Key resultsWe sampled a total of 306 silo bags from 38 farms. Damage incidence by mammals comprised 49% of silo bags sampled. Statistical analyses (GLMMs) revealed that damage intensity generally increased with storage time. Seasonality played a key role, with breakage being higher during summer for armadillos, when they are most active, and in winter for rodents, when they are most abundant. Damage by armadillos exhibited geographic variation and also decreased significantly with increasing distance to the nearest plot edge in which the silo bag was placed. Damage by rodents was higher for bags containing grains rather than forage. ConclusionsDamage to silo bags by mammals was affected by both extrinsic (seasonal and geographical) and intrinsic (stored content, storage time and distance to nearest edge) factors; however, these effects varied according to the mammal group considered. ImplicationsRelocation of silo bags away from plot edges could significantly reduce damage by armadillos, the most harmful mammals to silo bags.

Armazenamento de soja na propriedade rural em silo tipo bolsa: custos e viabilidade econômica

Com o aumento expressivo da produtividade de grãos no Brasil, principalmente de soja, a demanda por armazenagem vem crescendo ano após ano, causando déficit na capacidade estática do país. Objetivou-se analisar a viabilidade econômica do sistema de armazenamento de grãos na propriedade rural por meio de silo bolsa, comparando a entrega e a comercialização nas cerealistas da região noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Aspectos relacionados lucratividade do produtor, custos de armazenagem e a viabilidade econômica desta tecnologia foram analisados, considerando a diferença entre os preços de mercado disponível e os preços baseados em vendas para entrega imediata ou após breve período de armazenagem (balcão). Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória descritiva, e as variáveis para análise da viabilidade foram: valor presente líquido, taxa interna de retorno, taxa mínima de atratividade, índice de lucratividade e tempo de retorno do investimento. Quatro análises, com juros praticados para diferentes modalidades de investimento agrícola das instituições financeiras de Palmeira das Missões, sendo duas com juros de 4,8% a.a. e duas com juros de 6,8% a.a., com dez anos de prazo e parcela anual, variando área produtiva, com finalidade de analisar viabilidade econômica e capacidade de pagamento baseada em realidades diferente de cada propriedade. Por fim, este estudo destaca que, a utilização de silo bolsa para armazenamento de grãos na propriedade rural é viável e aumenta a lucratividade na hora da comercialização, sendo viável economicamente a partir de 100 e 130 ha-1.

A simplified feeding system did not affect milk production compared with a total mixed ration system in dairy cows

The objective of our study was to compare animal performance of a simplified feeding system, named easy feeding (EF), with animal performance of a total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system, using high yielding dairy cows in early lactation. Two treatments, TMR (n = 16) and EF (n = 16), were evaluated in a completely randomised design. Holstein cows (617 ± 85.1 kg of body weight and 52 ± 16 days in milk) were used. The TMR treatment consisted of a mix of concentrates, corn silage and alfalfa hay, mixed and offered twice a day, while EF treatment involved the same diet components offered separately, with concentrate offered individually in the milking parlour, alfalfa hay offered as bales and corn silage offered straight from the silo bag, with no intervention of machinery in the feeding process. The feeding system had no effect on milk production, fat and protein yield, total net energy intake, total dry matter intake, body weight, body condition score plasma metabolites and eating and ruminating time. Cows in EF system had higher non-fibrous carbohydrates intake, lower intakes of crude protein and neutral detergent fibre and longer drinking time than cows in TMR system. Cows in EF selected a diet according to their preferences, which may have allowed them to achieved similar milk yield to TMR cows, despite the advantages of mixed diets in TMR treatment. Thus, the EF system is an attractive alternative to traditional TMR system, provided that costs of feeding operations are effectively reduced. Highlights A new simplified feeding system was compared to TMR system Milk production was similar in both feeding systems Simplified feeding system is an attractive alternative to traditional TMR systems, provided that costs of feeding operations are effectively reduced in EF

Automated pressure regulation for a silage bagging machine

Ensiling and compaction of silage crops in bags is a well proved method to store fodder anaerobically to feed animals throughout the year. The essential process principle is to compact the silage substrate using a rotor into a press tunnel and the connected plastic bag to generate an oxygen-free environment. The objective of this study was to develop an automatic pressure-controlling system for the compaction process. The automatic system controls elongation of the bag film calculated based on the circumference during ensiling. Due to the different physical composition of pasture grass and maize substrates, only 2% of values in the case of maize silage deviated from the specified tolerance range (9.5 ± 0.5% elongation) while over 50% of the values with grass silage deviated from the tolerance range (8.5 ± 0.5% elongation). To determine the effect on crop density and stability of silage, investigations were made during feed-out. Accordingly, the identified storage density of the maize and grass silage varied between 179.0 and 280.8 kg DM m−3, and 89.3 and 197.7 kg DM m−3, respectively. Basically, the automated pressure control of silo bagging press machines is possible, and the machine operator can be relieved. However, the homogeneity of the silo bag contours is highly dependent on the stored ensiled material.

Giant gastroschisis with complete gastric herniation: A case report and review of the literature

Introduction: We report a case of gastroschisis seen in our center, highlighting the rarity of this clinical entity. The author equally reviewed the existing literature covering the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, management options, and outcomes of gastroschisis in low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and compares the reports with middle-income and high-income countries across the world. Case presentation: A preterm female neonate with a clinical diagnosis of gastroschisis at a primary care center was referred to the Neonatology Service of our tertiary care institution. She received optimal resuscitation and interdisciplinary management. Besides, the baby underwent an initial covering with an improvised silo bag of exposed bowel with unfavorable outcomes. Conclusion: The specific etiological factors for gastroschisis are yet to be established. The condition is considered a multifactorial disease. More frequently than ever, it's becoming easy to make prenatal diagnosis utilizing ultrasonography with high yield. Gastroschisis is a low-prevalence disease with an excellent prognosis if initial management is adequate. Interestingly, the condition requires highly skilled personnel of both specialized and primary care. Once the clinicians are well equipped, they can readily ensure correct initial management. Besides, the patient can equally benefit from an appropriate and timely referral to tertiary care centers to avoid future complications.

Geometric shape and tensile forces on silo bags for grain storage

This work consists in the analytical derivation and numerical solution of the equation which determines the shape of the section of a silo bag: a long horizontal cylindrical plastic bag filled with either a liquid or a granular material which behaves similarly, exerting normal, but not frictional forces against the wall. The bag is considered inextensible and completely flexible, capable of supporting only tensile loads. These suppositions lead to a secondorder differential equation for the membrane shape, which is normalised and solved, in a way that allows, for any bag with any amount of filling, a simple computation of its geometry, enclosed area and tensile loads. A discussion is included about the effects on the theoretical results of the silo bag tensile deformation.

Predicting soybean losses using carbon dioxide monitoring during storage in silo bags

The rapid increase of the overall grain production of Argentina resulted with a storage capacity deficit in permanent structures of 40–50 million tons, and this context favored the rapid adoption of the silo bag technology. Silo bag allows differing grain selling from harvest time, taking advantage of the seasonal price changes and, hence, improving farmers’ income. However, storing grain in silo bag could be risky if inadequate planning, handling or monitoring is implemented. Thus, the objective of this article was to develop a prediction model for soybean losses in silo bag storage based on monitoring CO2 concentration and other sensible variables. During 2013, an experiment was conducted in 13 soybean silo bags placed at farms and grain elevators in Balcarce area, South East of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, since May to December. Grain samples were collected and grain quality was evaluated. Storage variables, such as moisture content and interstitial atmosphere gas composition were also recorded, and at the end of storage, physical grain losses were quantified for each silo bag (kg of spoiled grain not commercialized). The results showed that there was not generalized quality loss in any silo bag, but localized losses were observed. These losses occurred due to water entrance in the silo bag through openings which resulted in spoiled grain from 140 to 4320 kg, representing from 0.07% to 2.16% in a 200 ton silo bag. Next, a correlation to predict grain losses was developed, which considered grain moisture and a predictor related to the CO2 concentration at the silo bag closing end as independent variables. This correlation explained 73% of the grain losses variability, allowed to model different levels of losses, and was consistent with biological concepts.

Storage of WDGS under hermetic and non-hermetic conditions: Effect on sensory properties, microorganisms, mycotoxins and nutritional value

WDGS production in Argentina substantially increased in the last 5 years and become a frequent constituent for feed diets. However, due to the extremely high moisture content of the product, quality deterioration occurs in a few days under aerobic conditions; which creates a series of logistical problems for expanding the use of WDGS far away from production plants. Silo bag technology, a flexible hermetic storage system extensively used in Argentina, could be a good alternative for extending the storage time of WDGS. Thus, the main goal of this research was to compare the effect of hermetic and non-hermetic storage of WDGS using several quality parameters. Samples of WDGS from three different ethanol production plants were stored in hermetic (small scale silo bags) and non-hermetic conditions at 16 °C (60 days hermetic and 20 days no-hermetic). WDGS quality evolution was evaluated through sensory, microbiological, biochemical, nutritional and toxicological parameters. Results indicated that in the non-hermetic treatment, even though no evidence of nutritional quality losses was found in the mass of WDGS, spoilage developed at the surface after 10 day of storage. Additionally, evidence of mycotoxin formation was found (DON) during aerobic storage, implying that mycotoxin tests should be routinely implemented. On the contrary, hermetic storage in silo bag allowed a proper ensiling process, extending the shelf life of the product and preventing mycotoxins development for at least 60 days.

Effectiveness of Improved Hermetic Storage Structures Against Maize Storage Insect Pests Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus

A study was conducted for 12 months to evaluate the effectiveness of two improved hermetic storage structures against two maize storage pests Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus at Liwufu Research Station, Malawi. The storages were metal silo and hermetic bag; Actellic super dust was included as a control. The treatments (storages) were replicated four times under natural and artificial infestations. Grain stored in metal silo had the lowest mean percentage weight loss, 1.04% to 1.25%, 12 months after storage followed by hermetic bag, 2.46% to 6.64%. Grain treated with Actellic super had the highest weight loss, 4.86% to 18.72%. The study showed that hermetic storage structures can be promoted as effective alternative non-chemical methods of grain storage for small holder farmers in Malawi.