What Is the Best Silage Storage for Me?
Deciding on a silage storage system requires consideration of many factors. Richard Muck and Brian Holmes discussed these factors for six types of storage in the article “Deciding on a Silage Storage Type” published in the proceedings of the “Silage for Dairy Farms” (NRAES-181) conference. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of Silage Piles and Silo Bags are excerpted below. Pile Silos Pile silos can be an economical means of making high quality silage assuming very good management. The quality of silage from these silos depends on three principal factors: packing the crop to a high density during filling, sealing the surface well with plastic, and feeding off the face at a sufficient rate (6+ in./day in the northern U.S.). Typical moisture recommendations for ensiling are between 60 and 70% moisture. Advantages: • Lower capital costs than tower silos and bunker silos. • Layering forage into the silo results in a blended silage. at feed out, creating a more stable nutritive value.
