The goal of making silage is to preserve forage nutrients for feeding at a later date. This is accomplished by the conversion (by fermentation) of plant sugars to organic acids. The resulting acidity effectively “pickles” the forage. Production of quality silage requires minimum nutrient loss, despite the dynamic and sensitive process of silage fermentation. This process is controlled by five primary factors:

Bunker silos and drive-over piles offer several advantages for large dairy farms. Low initial cost, low maintenance, high storage capacity and rapid filling are common advantages over upright silos or silo bags. However, proper management of these structures is key to optimizing forage preservation and animal productivity.

University of Delaware researchers found increasing the cutting height of silage corn from 5 inches to just under 19 inches improved its nutritive value, but it reduced silage yield about 10 percent.

Editor’s Note: The following is an interview with Larry Matlack of Matlack Farms. Matlack discusses how wrapping bales has benefitted his business.

Droughts occur due to large-scale phenomenas that alter the normal weather patterns in a region and result in less precipitation and, often, higher temperatures than normal. When rain or snow is scarce, there is less water to recharge groundwater, feed streams, fill reservoirs and lakes and grow crops, among other things. The impact of drought on people and all living things can be devastating.

About six weeks before the May 1st “No Mexicans” demonstration day, my crew came to me and stated they would like that day off. If we got a busy schedule, they offered to work longer days and all day the Saturday before the strike day to not create an upset for our company.

Some silage additives include enzymes. What are they and what do they do?