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Maize silage
Evaluate maize maturity
Flowering date is a good indicator to estimate the harvest date. Come back to the stand 1 month later to observe the grain filling.
It is the maturity of the grain that determines the harvest date. At the 3 starch stage of the grain, the maturity of the whole plant is estimated at 32-33% DM.
Beware of over-maturity
Once maize is mature, both, maturity and DM content of the plant material, can change very quickly. Dry maize is more difficult to compact, making ensiling much more difficult.
Chopping the maize plants
The target chop length of maize silage in the trough is 8 to 10 mm. When harvesting, factors such as harvesting machines, dry matter of the plant material and type of subsequent feed ration must be taken into account. A ration with a higher concentrate content requires longer fibres to be utilised and limit the risks of ruminal acidosis. The chop length should be checked in random samples during harvest.
Maize grain shattering
Grains must be at least broken in 4 parts by the choppers of the fodder harvesters. A study showed that the level of bursting does influence starch digestibility.
Compacting the plant material
Harvest drier plots first and place this plant material first in the silo as it is harder to compact. New incoming fodder loads should be spread out along the length of the silo in layers of 15-20cm to ensure good compaction over the entire thickness. Increasing the tyre pressure of the compactor allows a better compaction pressure.
Compacting rate
The elivery rate of silage being dropped into the silo must not have an adverse effect on the quality of the compacting. The weight and the number of tractors on the silo must allow compaction to achieve optimum density (220kg DM/ at 32-33% DM). The weight reference is 400kg on the silo per ton of incoming DM.
Silo cover
The covering must be done as soon as compaction stops to limit the return of oxygen into the silo and the losses in the outer layer, which is exposed to the air.
The purpose of this step is to obtain an hermetic seal against the entry of air and water. The sensitive areas are the peripheral areas, which must be well ballasted and secured with several layers of film, including a border film on the silo walls, folded over the fodder when it is being covered. Even ballasting using silo sandbags ensures that the cover is properly held in place.
Opening the silo
After several weeks under a hermetically sealed cover, the absence of oxygen will have allowed the activity of lactic bacteria and the acidification of the fodder that is important for its conservation. When opening, the return of oxygen can cause losses or in worst case spoilage due to microorganisms being reactivated.
Distribution speed
The silo’s feedout rate is intended to limit losses. The silo must be dimensioned so that the face of the silo advances 10cm per day in winter and 20cm per day in summer. This limits the heating of the silage which increases the activity of bad fermentation after the opening and minimises losses. The silo must be sized to meet the feeding needs of the animals.
Grass Silage
Mow grass at the right stage
For grass silage, it is advisable to mow the grass before heading (or pre-budding for legumes) so that soluble carbohydrates are in sufficient quantity to initiate fermentations. This stage also allows a good quality-quantity compromise with food values easier to valorise for the animals.
Mowing process
Tests have shown that grass silage mowed in the morning and ensiled in the afternoon contains more water-soluble carbohydrates and has better aerobic stability after opening the silo than silage mowed the night before. In order to achieve a good wilting effect afterwards, the soil should be dry. If possible, wait a day before mowing when it has rained.
Drying conditions
The objective of the grass drying period is to obtain the optimal DM rate as quickly as possible, as it benefits conservation and limits the losses in the open air. To limit losses in the silo, the optimum DM level for grass silage is between 30 and 35% and between 40 and 45% for legumes.
Grass harvesting itinerary
The technical harvesting itinerary aims to obtain quick drying, without putting the fodder in contact with the soil or risking disintegration of the valuable leave mass. The number of operations on the fodder therefo has an significant effect of mechanical losses in the field.
A mowing height of 7-8 cm allows better regrowth, facilitates drying and reduces the risk of contaminating the fodder with soil.
Grass silage chopping
The recommended chop size for grass silage is 20 to 40mm for good value in the ration and good conservation with efficient compaction. In the case of drier grass, the chop size can be reduced, but not below 15mm.
Grass harvesting conditions
Dry harvest conditions are preferable so as not to bring in soil and add moisture that would result in runoff losses.
Compacting rate
The compacting rate must not have an adverse effect on the quality of the compacting. The weight and the number of tractors on the silo must allow good compaction in order to achieve optimum density. The weight reference is 400kg on the silo per tonne of incoming DM.
Silo cover
The covering must be done as soon as compaction stops to limit the return of oxygen into the silo and the losses in the outer layer, which is exposed to the air.
The purpose of this step is to obtain an hermetic seal against the entry of air and water. The sensitive areas are the peripheral areas, which must be well ballasted and secured with several layers of film, including a border film on the silo walls, folded over the fodder when it is being covered. Even ballasting using silo sandbags ensures that the cover is properly held in place.
Using a transparent underlayer film
Using a Triotech underlayer film limits air pockets and reduces additional losses. We recommend not overstretching it so it can follow the contours of the silo. This underlayer film needs to be placed beneath a second, thicker Triosilo cover to obtain the best conservation results.
Opening the silo
After several weeks under a hermetically sealed cover, the absence of oxygen will have allowed the activity of lactic bacteria and the acidification of the fodder that is important for its conservation. When opening, the return of oxygen can cause losses or in worst case spoilage due to microorganisms being reactivated.
Distribution speed
The silo’s feedout rate is intended to limit losses. The silo must be dimensioned so that the face of the silo advances 1,5 m per week during winter and 2 m per week during summer. This limits the heating of the silage which increases the activity of bad fermentation after the opening and minimises losses. The silo must be sized to meet the feeding needs of the animals.
