Ask the Silage Dr: Does Steam Mean Aerobic Instability?

(Sponsored Content)

Q. If silage "steams" during feedout in the winter, is it heating?

A. As producers feed out silage in the winter, some may notice steam rising from their pile, bunker or silo. Don"t get worried just yet! This isn"t always an indication of aerobic instability in the silage.

Silage that heats on exposure to oxygen suffers from aerobic instability. Most heating events start with the growth of yeasts. What"s important in determining if silage is heating is the ambient temperature on the day the forage was ensiled. It"s normal for silage to increase in temperature by 15 to 20 F. For example, if the forage was harvested on days when the temperature was about 80 F, normal silage temperatures can range from 95 to 100 F. Yet, beware of aerobic instability if the same silage reaches 120 F.

In either case, the silage may be warm enough on a cold day to see visible steam. It"s not the presence of steam that"s important — it"s the increase in temperature from time of ensiling to feedout.

For additional silage tips, visit www.qualitysilage.com or Ask the Silage Dr. on Twitter or Facebook.

 

Latest News

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development
Success is All in the Details at Kansas Dairy Development

Kansas Dairy Development provides temporary housing for up to 80,000 head of cattle — from a few days old to springers nearly ready to calve. Their formula for success is all in the details.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company
Built Out of Love: How Two Sisters Created a Super-Fast-Growing Yogurt Company

Travel to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, and you’ll meet Hayley and Stephanie Painter who not only made the Forbes 30 under 30 list, but have also created one of the fastest growing yogurt company in the U.S.

"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years
"Boring" Technology Will Reshape Dairy Over the Next 10 Years

Once a technology becomes a boring experience it means it has become proven, well-adopted, and easy to utilize. There are three "boring" technologies silently shaping the industry.

Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards
Influential Dairy Leaders Awarded World Dairy Expo Recognition Awards

World Dairy Expo is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 Expo Recognition Awards. These individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities.