A lot goes into producing good quality forage prior to harvesting, but what happens after harvest determines the pace for the year ahead. Dairy forage specialist Joe Lawrence of Cornell University explained the importance of silage management in a Cornell PRO-DAIRY webinar as we inch closer to harvest season.
The silage fed to cows is only as good as the way it is managed. “We need both good practices in the field to produce a quality forage and excellent silage management to end up with a quality silage that will reach the cow,” said Lawrence. Dialing in on consistency of feed, dry matter loss, how feed is stored, and usage of feed are ways to navigate silage management success.
Safety should be the number one focus to achieving successful feed out. It is important to note that safety and silage quality are strongly linked, said the forage specialist. Steer clear of burying one feed behind the other as piling different feeds against each other can create a large risk, especially if the feed were to become spoiled. Before packing, be sure to inspect ensiling infrastructure for any signs of deterioration. Silage season comes and goes quickly, making it a prime breeding ground for fatigue and complacency to set in, and that creates a higher risk of rollovers, injuries, falls, and silage avalanches. Take extra precaution to prevent incidents that could be avoided.
Feeding out silage can also be successful if stored and preserved correctly. If the pile and face are not handled properly, spoilage and larger percentages of shrink will lead to major losses of feed on the farm. “One of the best ways to eliminate dealing with spoilage is to eliminate the spoilage itself,” said Lawrence. Consider using oxygen barrier plastics and reputable inoculants that are backed by research for optimal results.
Practicing proper packing techniques is also key to putting up good quality forage. Prior to packing, ensure that there is sufficient air pressure in the packing tractor’s tires. While packing, consider layer thickness and slope of the ramp, and add weight if needed. The pushing tractor only accounts for 60% of the packing, and a 28,000-pound pushing tractor contributes roughly 16,800 pounds of packing weight. A minimum of 800 pounds of packing weight per ton of forage per hour was recommended by the forage specialist.
The harvest process occurs quickly, and with modern equipment, farmers have the ability to ensile a large amount of forage in a short period of time. “If we make a decision or skip some of these steps in the heat of the moment, it can negatively impact tons of feed and impact the number of months you’ll be using that feed,” warned Lawrence.
