Two core temperatures taken three feet and six inches inside the storage unit will provide a comparison. Temperature readings can be taken in multiple ways and are a great gauge for determining how stable the feed is after being reintroduced to oxygen. These benchmarks are applied to piles and bunkers, with more leniency given to bags, since they do not pack as well. Recommended densities are shown in the table below. Measuring this includes obtaining a sample by using a corer with known dimensions to use the depth of the core and the weight of the sample to calculate pounds per cubic foot. When forage or high-moisture corn is packed tighter with a higher density, it means that there was less oxygen trapped inside at the time of filling, allowing for a faster and more complete fermentation. After establishing that a consistent product is being removed from storage, you can begin taking other measurements.ĭensity is a great tool and is well-documented as being a crucial factor in making high-quality forage. Taking a sample before fermentation is complete or from inconsistent silage will not provide accurate numbers. An earlier blog, “ Understanding the process of corn silage fermentation and starch availability,” explained that fermentation takes three to four weeks to complete, with improvements in feed quality occurring over time after a longer resting period. Consideration must be given to how long the forage has been stored so that the feed is not opened too early. Within a week of feed removal, a face starts to take shape, with silage becoming more uniform and consistent, and that is when the first sample can be taken to determine the silage’s nutrient values and quality. Dispose of moldy, discolored and rotten feed, which can be more prevalent near the edges of all storage types. Once the plastic is pulled back and the fermented feed is exposed, continue the assessment. At opening, look for discolored or moldy feed that could have come from poor sealing or damage to plastic that was unnoticeable from the outside. Discovering problem areas early could help prevent more spoilage. Ag bags should be checked for stretch marks in the plastic and holes, which indicate weak points or damage from filling. Low slopes of any storage should be sealed completely, typically with sand or lime. Best practices for bunkers involve lining the side walls with plastic and folding it over the top to minimize spoilage. The sides of piles and ends of bunkers should have been well-sealed to prevent water from getting in. Large piles and bunkers require multiple sheets of plastic, so inspect areas of overlap and side walls for gaps or improper coverage. Bunkers and piles rely heavily on proper plastic management to produce a good feed, so check the top to ensure that nothing was punctured during filling or covering, allowing oxygen to enter. There are many ways to store feed, and each have their advantages and disadvantages. The first thing to consider doing at the time of opening a storage unit is an assessment of the container itself.
Typically, the first thing on anyone’s mind after opening a new feed is to sample it with the intentions of determining two things: First, is it good feed? And second, how much of it can we use? Although these are important questions, they are only a sampling of the many worth asking in order to truly understand the feed, which will have a significant impact on the next 12 months of the farm’s performance. Although it seems like harvest equipment was only just put away, silage has been in storage for several months, and early evaluations of how well feed was made for the upcoming year can begin.Įvaluating the farm’s available feed early on establishes a starting point for the upcoming year’s performance and feeding schedule. Nothing is more exciting than harvest time in the field, but by now, the excitement has worn off, fields are empty and we are beginning to reflect on the past year. Farmers love what they do, and whether they realize it or not, each one lives for the harvest - not just crop farmers with grain harvests but livestock owners marketing animals, along with dairy farms and pounds of milk sent to the creamery.