Wet growing conditions and short harvest windows during the 2019 season may have resulted in harvesting at higher moisture levels, which can increase the risk of a clostridial fermentation.
The objective when collecting a silage sample for laboratory analysis is to safely obtain a representative sample of all silage that will be fed. Check out the eight steps to collecting a quality sample.
It’s no secret the 2019 corn silage season was challenging. Understanding the conditions during the growing season can help producers manage expectations for the resulting feed and properly balance rations.
Enzymes in silage inoculants help generate sugars for the inoculant bacteria to use for growth and fermentation. They provide fuel for the “good” bacteria, which drives a fast, effective forage fermentation
The mineral contributions of ash can be important to animal health and performance, which is why it’s important to keep the ash content in forages within acceptable ranges.
Where on the pile does silage usually start to spoil? Even small portions of a well-managed silage pile can still be vulnerable to spoilage where the pile is exposed to oxygen during feedout.
Dry matter (DM) losses can be significantly reduced in drive-over piles when properly covered and sealed. Check out these four rules to follow when covering and sealing a silage drive-over pile.
How do you find the right feedout rate for your silage pile? The ideal rate helps minimize the amount of air penetrating the silage face. Always keep feedout rates high enough to prevent silage heating. Learn more.
With a wet planting season this year there is increased risk of spoilage any time there is physical damage to the corn plant from insects, disease or weather. Learn what to do.
Silage structures have year-long safety concerns — from harvest to feedout. Yet, there should be little risk as long as everyone knows and understands the silage safety guidelines.
The effects of flooding can last throughout silage feedout. Crops damaged by any weather event are more prone to mold infestation and subsequent toxin production. Learn how to help minimize spoilage in the silage.
An increase in starch digestion may lead to better nutrient utilization and decreased feed costs. However, starch digestibility of WPCS may be affected by several factors.
