(800) 786-3208 The Ensiling Process For Silage

What happens in the silo

When green crops are ensiled, certain changes begin immediately. The plant cells continue breathing for a time using up the oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide.

After a few hours, acid producing bacteria begin to increase in numbers. These bacteria produce lactic acid which is found in sour milk, acetic acid which is found in vinegar, they produce carbon dioxide as well After the right fermentation balance is reached in 10 to 45 days, the bacterial action finally stops. .

What happens in the silo without the aid of FORAGE MATE ?

When the silage is packed in a silo, most of the oxygen is shut off. This brings about a heat buildup from the bacterial action which in turn brings about the butyric acid. Fermentation. This type of fermentation is known as low oxygen fermentation and the heat buildup continues from 10 to 45 days under normal conditions.

During this period, there are several things that take place to affect the silage quality. As the heat continues to build up, starting in the center of the pile, the hot air flows up through the pile. This creates a vacuum or a suction which pulls a small amount of air down the side of the silage pit which circulates across the bottom an up through the center.

As this outside air is pulled up through the warm, chopped material, 72 to 96 hours after the silage has been treated and compacted in the silage pile. It is warmed. When this air reaches the surface of the silage pile, a very destructive process takes place. The warm air meets the outside air, which is cooler, there is evaporation and condensation. The condensation or drops of water falls back into the pile, drains to the bottom of the pile and then shows up as "run off".

When this happens, you are losing 3 basic elements which decreases the feed value of the silage. This process leaches out vitamin A, trace minerals and amino acids.

FORAGE MATE speeds the fermentation time which eliminates the heat buildup and the condensation or "run off".

What happens when FORAGE MATE is used ?

By adding FORAGE MATE to the silage, you create an environment favorable to these bacteria and enables them to multiply much faster by decreasing the pH. Consequently, the right acid balance is reached in hours (before the butyric acid starts) instead of days. By reaching the right balance quicker, the bacterial action is stopped which helps eliminate the heat buildup associated with continuous bacterial action.

By using FORAGE MATE, the fermentation process is completed in 72 hours and the silage can be fed to cattle