Silage Preservation: First Things First
by Brian J. Holmes
bjholmes@wisc.edu
Harvest at Correct Stage of Maturity
Why? High levels of readily available carbohydrate are needed to ferment into acids.
What Stage? Alfalfa – early to mid bloom, Corn – 1/3 – 1⁄2 half milk line
Harvest at Correct Moisture
Why? Too dry…
high porosity (oxygen penetration)
reduced acid production
reduced thermal mass (rapid heating)
Too wet…
Clostridial fermentation (Butyric acid)
Le
