Silage Production

Question 1

define silage

Answer 1

anaerobically fermented feed
plant material chopped and packed to exclude oxygen

Question 2

how long does active anaerobic fermentation last

Answer 2

20-30 days then slow after that

Question 3

when does silage reach max tempurature

Answer 3

4-5 days after ensiling

Question 4

when does main pH drop happen

Answer 4

by day 5

Question 5

when is oxygen in the pack used up by

Answer 5

day 5

Question 6

silage temperature should not exceed ___ degrees

Answer 6

40

Question 7

phase 1

Answer 7

aerobic production of CO2, water and heat
lasts until air is used up

Question 8

phase 2

Answer 8

initial production of acetic and lactic acid

Question 9

phase 3

Answer 9

rapid increase in lactic acid bacteria, stops when pH is low enough

Question 10

phase 4

Answer 10

stable phase where pH is low

Question 11

phase 5

Answer 11

feed out phase, introduction of air introduces secondary fermentation

Question 12

consequence of high levels Butyric acid

Answer 12

animals will refuse feed

Question 13

critical factors of silage quality (6)

Answer 13

oxygen level
temp
moisture
particle size
acidity
silage crop

Question 14

too much oxygen

Answer 14

aerobic bacteria depletes levels of water soluble carb
incomplete fermentation leading to spoilage

Question 15

too high moisture

Answer 15

nutrient runoff
freezing
increased risk of listeria

Question 16

too low water

Answer 16

leaf loss in field
poor packing

Question 17

is high or low forage buffering capacity desirable

Answer 17

low as dont want it to resist decrease in pH

Question 18

what kind of crops is forage buffering capacity an issue in

Answer 18

legumes

Question 19

when to cut barley

Answer 19

mid-late dough

Question 20

when to cut oats

Answer 20

early dough

Question 21

when to cut triticale

Answer 21

early milk

Question 22

when to cut field peas

Answer 22

early pod wilting

Question 23

when to cut alfalfa for silage

Answer 23

10% bloom

Question 24

when to cut perennial grasses for silage

Answer 24

boot to bloom

Question 25

triticale is 2 weeks ___ that wheat maturing

Answer 25

later

Question 26

moisture content for harvesting corn for silage

Answer 26

whole plant moisture is 60-70% most kernels should be dented

Question 27

advantages of alfalfa silage

Answer 27

high protein and good energy levels

Question 28

too long particle size

Answer 28

poor ensiling

Question 29

too short particle size

Answer 29

decreased effective fiber

Question 30

ideal particle length

Answer 30

1cm

Question 31

why is particle size important

Answer 31

affects nutrient exposure to microbes makes easier to compress

Question 32

3 types of silos

Answer 32

bunker (western canada) bag (increasing usage) tower (high quality self packing but expensive to set up)

Question 33

bunker silos have ___ storage losses

Answer 33

higher

Question 34

bulk density should be above ____ lb/cubic foot for horizontal silos

Answer 34

40

Question 35

plastic films used on silage must be

Answer 35

5mm thick and UV resistant

Question 36

not covering results in __-___% DM losses depending on crop type

Answer 36

50-70%

Question 37

benefits to using silo bags

Answer 37

low annual storage costs and low losses if not damaged (5-10%)

Question 38

correct way to gather silage

Answer 38

face scraper 15cm (6") per day to reduce deterioration minimize exposed surface area

Question 39

pit design consideration

Answer 39

design pit with correct face size to waht you would use in a day

Question 40

if temp is higher you will have to take ____ silage from the face per day

Answer 40

more

Question 41

if silage is too wet(2)

Answer 41

clostridial fermentation occurs resulting in butyric acid silage seepage may occur (nutrient loss)

Question 42

DM content at ensiling should be ___-__% for most crops and __-__% for legumes

Answer 42

30-40 35-40

Question 43

silage effluent

Answer 43

squeezed out water and soluble sugars, proteins, and minerals

Question 44

want pH at and temp at

Answer 44

<4.5 less than 15 degrees above ambient temp

Question 45

ideally when producing silage you want to

Answer 45

harvest pack and close in the same day

Question 46

greatest impact on silage quality

Answer 46

maturity of plant (60%)

Question 47

5 factors of DM losses

Answer 47

plant respiration primary fermentation secondary fermentation aerobic storage losses after fermentation losses

Question 48

characteristics of good silage

Answer 48

yellow-green colour sour milk odor pH <4.2

Question 49

silage additives

Answer 49

inoculants to change environment to speed fermentation, support bacterial growth, and change fiber structure

Question 50

when to use silage additives (4)

Answer 50

high moisture low water soluble carbs high buffering capacity improve nutrient content at ensiling

Question 51

difference between silage and haylage

Answer 51

haylage is lower moisture, decreased curing time compared to hay lower harvest losses