The forages are now in storage to be used in the months ahead, mixed into a ration and fed to your cattle. However, only part of the job in delivering high quality forage to your cattle is done.

Do you have the proper management practices in place to keep your forages in a high quality condition? Will you have as much high quality forage when next spring and summer roll around as you are planning to have?

It is important to have minimum forage losses and spoilage in stored forage. It is important to maintain forage quality from field to the feed bunk.

Remember, most forage dry matter losses occur during storage and feedout. In fact, in a 1995 research study, Roth and Undersander found that feedout losses can represent up to 30 percent of the total dry matter loss in the ensiling process.

So, assuming you harvested the silage at the correct moisture content, have packed the bunker or filled the silo bag at the appropriate density per cubic foot (to keep air out for proper fermentation) and have sealed the silo correctly, what else needs to be done to avoid losses? Here is a list of items to check:

Advertisement
  • Make sure plastic covers on bunkers or the silo bags are protected from punctures by rodents, livestock, dogs, cats and wild animals.

  • Conduct weekly inspections and repair holes in the plastic to exclude air and water.

  • Before winter sets in, mow and cleanup around the bunker silo and bags to discourage rodents.

  • When feeding, only the amount of silage that will be fed in a short period (less than three days) should be uncovered at one time.

    Slow feedout rates allow more time for losses due to the growth of yeasts, molds and aerobic bacteria.

  • Never scoop silage from the face as this allows more air to enter, resulting in spoilage.

  • Maintaining a smooth, firm face and cleaning up loose silage from the bunker floor or around the bag on feedout will help minimize aerobic losses.

  • Consider using a facer to maintain a smooth face. In a 2001 Wisconsin field study, Sutter and Shaver found no reduction in effective fiber using facers when compared to either hand removal or unloaded-bucket removal.

Remember, if spoiled silage does occur, do not try to stretch silage inventories by feeding it to cattle. Feeding spoiled silage, even at 5 percent of the total DM, will reduce intake.

Spoiled silage can partially or totally destroy the forage mat in the rumen. Also, feeding spoiled silage to heifers and dry cows has a negative affect on fertility and reproductive performance.

Right now is a good time to review your forage storage management practices for the months ahead. Then, discuss those with your farm employees who are involved.  FG

—Excerpts from University of Minnesota Forage Quarterly Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 2

Neil Broadwater
Extension Educator
University of Minnesota