Types of silos

Question 1

Tower silos

Answer 1

these are very good for making silage because the height of the ensiled material aids compaction and the exclusion of air

Question 2

Stack silos

Answer 2

• no structure is necessary

* the silage material is dumped on a convenient surface to a height of at least 2m and sealed within 3 days

Question 3

Trench silos

Answer 3

• this consists of trenches dug into the soil that have an earthen wall or the walls may be lined with brick or concrete
• it is difficult to prevent rain from entering and drainage problem is often experienced

Question 4

Walled silos

Answer 4

• these are constructed above ground and is most suited to pasture silage
• the silos should have slightly outwards sloping sides
• a 4m width for the silo is most satisfactory since it will allow compaction with a tractor
• the ensiled crop is chopped (2mm-5mm length) and compacted to release oxygen
• to ensure quality, silage inoculants may be added
• after compaction, the silage is covered with a non-permeable film (a sheet of black polythene 250 microns thick) and tyres are placed on the cover to prevent air pockets and to maintain the compaction