The storage or ensiling system’s main functions are to exclude and prevent air during the ensiling process. Spoilage can be reduced, and the feed quality can be improved by using wrap film with the best silage wrap film price.
Slow filling of silos, not chop forage finely, and inadequate packaging and letting air into the store silage will degrade quality. Several storages/ensiling methods will complete the ensiling process. All methods have varying capital costs, disadvantages, and advantages.
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Horizontal Silos
There are two kinds of this method: ground (i.e. stack and bunker), and below ground level (i.e. trench or pit). Horizontal silos give the main advantages of feeding livestock in farther apart pens and low capital costs.
Trench Silos
Trench silos are typically dug into a slope with the end open ‘downhill’ for access and drainage. Preferably the open end faces south. To prevent decomposition and allow for adequate packaging of silage, the earth wall should be slanted at a 1 : 2 ratio. If the ground is unstable, the walls should be covered with untreated wood or concrete.
50 ft (15 m) width is comfortable for loading tractors and front-end loader. Reinforced concrete floors with a slope of one to two% toward the open end will withstand up and drain under high humidity from silage, spring thaw, and rainfall.
Bunker Silos
In flat terrains where trench silos aren’t practical, bunker silos come into play. To construct these, builders often use concrete for the above-ground walls, which might also incorporate wood or earth. These structures are then fortified with either concrete or timber buttresses for added stability. An interesting feature of bunker silo walls is the use of round bales lined with plastic, which are typically sourced from reliable suppliers at competitive prices.
When it comes to the wood used in these silos, there’s no need for preservative treatments if it’s in contact with silage. It’s crucial, however, to cover any permanent walls or wooden layers with plastic. This step is key to preventing the penetration of acid and moisture, which can compromise the quality of the stored material. Also, having concrete floors in these silos is a great idea. It not only helps in reducing feed waste but also makes the loading process much smoother.
If the silo has a dirt floor, it’s important to control the traffic over it, particularly from animals that might try to feed from the silage. One design tip is to keep the front incline as steep as possible. This design allows the packing tractor to easily climb up and fill the silo, all without needing to turn around. The process of adding silage layers should be done swiftly.
The packing process involves a heavy tractor rolling over the top of the pile, effectively pressing the layers down into place. This action not only compacts the silage but also helps to squeeze out any trapped air, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of the silage. When adding new layers of material, it’s best to do it in thin increments and pack them down immediately. A good rule of thumb is to keep these layers to a thickness of no more than two feet. What you’re aiming for is a solid and firm surface that feels stable to walk on, rather than one that gives a springy sensation.
Packing
Packing cereal silage adequately to a depth of one or two feet can be challenging. Always add new silage and pack it before resuming after a harvest break. The newly added silage load should seal the air from the silage packed underneath.
Only experienced operators should pack horizontal silos. Equip the packing tractor with a roll guard cab. Extend the wheels as far as possible, weight the tractor for low center gravity, and set it to a low speed.
Immediately cover the properly packed top surface with reinforced plastic or silage-grade polyethylene, six millimeters thick, to prevent rainfall or air from penetrating the silage. Air entering the silage can cause spoilage.
Rainfall can wash out the organic acids and introduce oxygen, which encourages spoilage and increases pH. Prefer white plastic for its superior UV resistance, its ability to reduce freezing problems during winter, and its effectiveness in lowering silage temperatures underneath.
Stack Silage
When you try silage for the first time, it’s best to use silage stacks for storing unexpected forage residues or as a temporary method. Place the stacks on a slope ranging from 15 to 30 cm from the placement area, ensuring protection from the wind.
You should adjust the width of the stacks to match the size of the plastic cover you will use. For instance, if you use a 13 x 33 mm plastic cover, the baseboard should be about 10 m. Pack the leading edge of the stack lengthwise with a 30-degree angle using a tractor.
Cover the entire stacks during harvest breaks and open the ends when harvesting resumes. Since stacks have a large surface area exposed to weather and oxygen, they have a high potential for spoilage. Quickly closing the stacks and using an effective shutoff retainer are key to reducing losses. To minimize the amount of surface rot, use a large stack.
Wholesale Silage Film Price
Whether you plan to keep the bales outdoors or indoors, you can get advantages by using a silage film. It is a useful product that can ensure maximum nutrients for your bales for all kinds of situations. Good production practice can reduce dry matter losses. For example, using concrete floors, repairing tears in plastic covers, et cetera. Wrap your silage with high-quality silage wrap and get the wholesale deal for silage wrap film price from Silopak.