corn silage

ohiojeff · Feb 8, 2013

How do you feed corn silage? Do you fill the bunk feeder with a daily ration or can you fill a feeder wagon with several days worth without spoilage?

notjustair · Feb 8, 2013

I never realized how much extra work we did growing up. Sheesh.

Every day we loaded a load of silage out of the pit silo by hand with an ensilage fork. We used the pickup unless it was very muddy. That meant that we unloaded it by hand into the bunks. I still remember standing behind the 1973 Chev pickup in a cloud of exhaust steam with the door open and the AM radio blaring. That was back when exhaust smelled good.

I always wondered why we didn't scoop it with the loader tractor. I was reminded that it would waste some and be messy. That's what happens when you grow up with your depression era grandparents. Granted, we only fed 100 cattle or so, but I hated feeding silage. Love the smell, though.

Dalet · Feb 8, 2013

(quoted from post at 13:25:11 02/08/13) How do you feed corn silage? Do you fill the bunk feeder with a daily ration or can you fill a feeder wagon with several days worth without spoilage?

You can keep it in the wagon for awhile. Our wagon is never empty overnight, but is empty a couple times a day. If it weren't for TMR mixers, skid loaders, and manure spreaders, we wouldn't have so many cattle around here.. :?

LonM · Feb 10, 2013

The stability of it in the open air depends somewhat on the air temperature. When it is down around freezing it will stay fresher longer, but I don't think your feed quality is going to be very good out beyond three or four days in any situation if it sits exposed. It all depends on what you are willing to give up in feed quality versus the cost of labor in doing chores every day.

ohiojeff · Feb 11, 2013

Thanks for your answer,I would like to make my own silage and was wondering about the best way to feed it without compromising the health of my cattle.

LonM · Feb 11, 2013

These few tips I learned in college about making good silage:
1) Cut it short (3/8-1/2" pieces) so it will pack easier.
2) Chop in a timely manner and pack it well.
3) Cut at the right moisture level (55-60% for a Harvestore, 60-65% for an upright stave silo, and 65-68% for a pile, bag, or bunker).
4) Seal it up with thick plastic sheeting right after chopping to minimize exposure to air. An uncovered silage pile will cost you 30% of your feed!
5) Limit oxygen exposure as much as possible when feeding it out. Keep the exposed face smooth and as small as possible, and take at least 6 inches off the face whenever you feed. Generally a narrow, long pile is better than a wide, short pile for limiting spoilage during feedout.
6) Consider using an inoculant to promote desirable fermentation and better feed stability through the storage period. Inoculants really shine in instances where you are storing silage in warm (>50 degree) weather.

corn silage

ohiojeff

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