One way of assuring good conservation of roughage is compacting. Doing this with heavy machinery alone is often not sufficient. In some area’s it is common to put big layers of soil on top of the plastic covering the silage. Research has shown that the density of silage covered with a layer of soil increases with 5 – 7% and the silage stays stable at a feeding speed of two meters per week instead of 1,5 meters per week. The reason for this is that a higher density makes it more difficult for oxygen to enter the heap, this makes the silage less prone for heating up. Other research has shown that a higher density results in less dry matter losses. So more and better silage is the result of more weight on top. A disadvantage of using soil is that it takes a lot of labour and cost to put it on top and to remove it again. In colder climates removing frozen soil is also challenging.

Also further savings in labour and silo plastic can be achieved as one layer of plastic can cover multiple products. Moist co-products like brewers grains, potato fiber, citrus pulp and beet pulp are suitable stackable products. The peak brewing season in summer gives good availability of brewers grain for capping grass, clover and lucerne silages in summer. In autumn the start of the campaign of potato and sugarbeet processing gives good opportunity to cover corn silage.

1. Good communication and planning between farmer, contractor and Duynie to assure timely delivery of the co-product. This can also be the day before the harvest in case of stackable products.
2. A layer of 15 – 20 cm is sufficient to have the benefits of added weight on top. Products like beet pulp and mash filter brewers grains can be stacked much higher if needed.
3. Calculate the amount needed by multiplying the silage surface with the height of the co-product which is desired. Your Duynie sales rep knows the density of each co-product and can then help determining how many loads are needed.
4. The co-product should be spread evenly in order to have the same amount available every day once feeding starts.
5. When using a liquid co-product it is important that the top of the silage is very flat and stays 15 cm under the silo wall.
6. After applying the co-product, the usual covering with plastic can be applied but less weight on top is required as the weight is already under the plastic. Your Duynie sales rep can advise you further on capping your silage and all other aspects related to this.

Contact Duynie to learn more about the benefits and opportunities for your farm.