Des Moines, Iowa
August 12, 2009
Bunker management is key to
achieving the highest quality silage, according to livestock
nutrition experts with Pioneer
Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. Producers should pack bunkers
densely, cover with plastic and use inoculants to maintain and
enhance the quality of silages in storage. Fill as fast as
possible while maintaining adequate packing, say Pioneer
experts.
"The more oxygen excluded, the better," says Dann Bolinger,
Pioneer dairy specialist in Michigan. "Producers should get
about 800 to 1,000 pounds of tractor weight per ton per hour on
the bunker to keep oxygen out."
Bolinger suggests packing continuously, not waiting for the next
load. When it gets difficult to keep up with the speed of
harvest, try slowing down or have more bunkers available.
"With custom harvesters and the increased size of equipment, it
can become a challenge to get the bunker packed densely,"
Bolinger says. "It isn't ideal, but producers can try either
slowing harvest or filling more than one bunker at a time. Make
sure the bunker is packed well. Poor packing density slows the
ensiling process and increases the potential for spoilage."
Another important consideration is covering the bunker. Cover
the bunker with plastic and a weight system, such as tire
sidewalls.
"If producers don't cover the bunker with plastic, the top 3
feet of forage will act as the covering," Bolinger says. "At
least 50 percent of forage dry matter can be lost in those top 3
feet, so consider covering to avoid potential spoilage."
Inoculants are the best way to help preserve nutrients and
improve the value of every bite. Pioneer offers inoculants for
corn, alfalfa, grass silage and high-moisture grain. With a
library of more than 25,000 strains of bacteria, Pioneer
microbial researchers develop inoculants with carefully
selected, unique, proprietary strains of bacteria to help
producers get more from every acre fed to animals.
Ways to monitor the bunker after packing include utilizing
infrared photography and density probes. These two tools provide
practical, convenient and quick methods to determine density
levels. Pioneer forage specialists can use infrared cameras to
depict hot spots in the bunker feedout face. This offers insight
into pockets of aerobically unstable feed that often are the
result of inadequately compacted forage.
The Pioneer density probe is a tool for measuring actual silage
density from the feedout face of a bunker, pile or bag. The
probe is used to drill and sample a core of silage of known
volume. The weight and dry matter content of the silage
translate into pounds of dry matter per cubic foot within the
storage. The minimum desired density for hay crop silages should
be 14 to 15 pounds of dry matter per cubic foot. A goal for corn
silage is 17 to 18 pounds. The denser a bunker, the less dry
matter loss should occur.
"There isn't much a producer can do to change the density once
it's been packed, but measuring provides a way to plan for next
season's packing," Bolinger says. "Contact your local Pioneer
sales professional for more information on density probes."
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
®, TM Trademarks and registered trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred.
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