Can silage be made with the 7.5% salt-preserved wastes?
None of the ensiled combinations used in our experiment adequately decreased pH. The final silage should have been less than 4.5 pH, had a lactic acid greater than 6%, and butyric acid less than .1%. It should not have smelled fishy or been moldy. The high amounts of waste used in our mixtures, the low level of carbohydrates and the high buffering capacity (CaCO3) of the shells were barriers to adequate fermentation. Below is a comparison of our mixtures with others who were able to decrease the pH. Should I make some crustacean silage to feed my heifers? All of the variables that predict adequate fermentation are not known for this type of silage. Prior to ensiling large quantities of shrimp or crab waste, it is critical that small quantities of the proposed mixtures be made to assure that an adequate drop in pH and rise in lactic acid will occur.
