Desr Moines, Iowa
March 30, 2009
The arrival of warmer temperatures
can create challenges for producers managing silage feed quality
for livestock. Warmer temperatures increase heat and spoilage to
the bunker face, potentially representing up to 40 percent of
the total dry matter and energy losses that occur in silage.
Experts at Pioneer Hi-Bred,
a DuPont business, say at least 6 inches of the face needs to be
fed daily to avoid increased energy losses.
The energy lost during aerobic deterioration is the most highly
digestible energy in the silage, having an energy value similar
to grain.
"Depending on compaction, air can penetrate up to a foot into
the silo face," says Steve Soderlund, Ph.D., Pioneer
nutritionist and livestock information manager. "Once silage is
exposed to oxygen, the clock has started ticking on the
nutritional value of the silage. To minimize these losses,
producers need to feed at least 6 inches or more off the face
daily."
During winter months, microbial growth is minimal. Throughout
summer months, microbial activity will double with every 10
degrees above 50 F. Producers will begin to see a breakdown of
the acids that aid in preservation. This breakdown is initiated
by yeast. Yeast will start to consume the lactic acid under
aerobic conditions and pH will continue to increase, eventually
allowing spoilage organisms (molds) to grow.
"If a producer is feeding 6 inches of the silage daily, he or
she is potentially two days behind with losses occurring up to
one foot into the face of the silage," says Soderlund. "With the
current economics, management is vital in reducing feedout
loss."
Experts recommend using a silo facer to avoid disturbing the
face of the silage. Facers take off a uniform amount, reducing
exposure to oxygen. When using a front-end loader, remove silage
in a downward motion or by moving across the face horizontally,
scraping off a thin layer to avoid disturbing the silage mass.
Additionally, keep loose silage cleaned up on the face of the
silo.
"A producer has to consider that he or she is losing more than
just the value of the forage harvested," says Soderlund. "One
has to look at the entire picture. The loss that occurs during
storage and feedout represents loss in feed quality and
potential animal performance. The value of that loss is at least
one-and-a-half times the value of the product put into the
silo."
Inoculation is another form of management to reduce losses
during warm weather conditions. Inoculants containing
Lactobacillus buchneri help increase bunklife and protect silage
from heating and spoilage by microorganisms.
L. buchneri has a unique ability to convert some lactic acid
into acetic acid and propionic acid, which are highly effective
in improving aerobic stability of silage. L. buchneri inoculants
have been shown to reduce aerobic dry matter losses, making it
an excellent tool to protect quality and help growers get the
most feed value from their silage.
"Pioneer offers growers a wide range of inoculant products
containing a combination of proprietary L. buchneri strains to
increase aerobic stability and improve the quality of silage,"
says Soderlund. "Some of these products include 11CFT and 11C33
for corn silage, 11G22 for grass or cereal silage and 11B91 for
high moisture corn or earlage."
To learn more about Pioneer products or to speak with a Pioneer
nutritional expert, contact your local Pioneer sales
professional. For more information about Pioneer's comprehensive
planting-to-feeding program, Silage Zone®, visit
www.pioneer.com/silagezone.
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
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