Dl6-Lancaster Farming Saturday, August 30,1986
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The
1986 drought could be responsible
for more silo fires than usual this
fall. And a rash of life-threatening
silo gas poisonings appears likely
on dairy and livestock farms
throughout Maryland and the
Southeast.
That warning comes from Gary
L. Smith, Extension safety
specialist and agricultural
engineer at the University of
Maryland in College Park.
Smith says that com fodder and
other forages going into silos at
less than 40 percent moisture
content will be a major cause of
silo fires. And high nitrate levels in
drought-stressed silage crops can
lead to fermentation production of
toxic gases the most dangerous
being nitrogen dioxide and
nitrogen tetroxide.
In addition to being lethal if
inhaled even in small amounts, the
nitrogen oxide gases will support
combustion. Burning silage
triggers their rapid production in
large quantity.
The nitrogen oxide gases are
characterized by a strong, pungent
odor. But their anesthetic effect
can prevent a person from
smelling them after only a breath
or two.
The gases have a corrosive ef
fect on tender human tissue,
causing pulmonary edema an
abnormal accumulation of fluid in
the lungs. Farmers often die in
their sleep the next night after
exposure.
Nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen
tetroxide are heavier than air, and
they produce a reddish brown or
yellow haze as they settle. “But by
the time you see their telltale
signs, you probably are already in
a life-threatening situation,”
Smith warned.
So what can be done to ease the
double-barreled threat of silo fires
and silo gas?
Smith notes that silo fires quite
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FARM & BARN EQUIPMENT
• Blocking Chute • Loop Stalls
• Automatic
Headgate
* Headlocks
* Suspended
Comfort Stalls
Drought Could Trigger Silo
predictably occur at points where
there are air leaks usually
around unloading doors. So prior to
filling, insure that all potential
leaks are sealed. Make certain that
unloading doors are in good con
dition and fit snugly.
To further reduce the likelihood
of fires, Smith recommends adding
water at silo-filling time to all
forages containing less than 40
percent moisture.
Fires are most likely in con
ventional upright silos, Smith
noted. But those newer oxygen
limjting, upright steel silos are
subject to both fire and explosion if
careless air leaks are allowed to
occur.
With these newer silos, local fire
departments need to be alert that
pouring water on smoldering
silage may only make things
worse. One of the leading
manufacturers of this type of silo
has supplied its dealers with a
four-page bulletin which gives
instructions for putting out fires in
an oxygen-limiting structure.
• Pail Holder
• Calf Pen Front
• Bale Moves
• Farrowing Crate
• Feed Thru Fence
To reduce the possibility of
dangerous nitrogen gases
produced by fermentation, Smith
recommends cutting stover at
least 18 inches above ground level
since nitrate toxicity normally is
concentrated in the lower one-third
of plant stalks.
The highest levels of poisonous
gases are present during the first
48 hours after chopped forage is
placed in an upright conventional
silo. But they may be present at
dangerous levels for up to three
weeks.
Smith suggests leaving your silo
blower in place for a month after
filling. Keep unloading doors
removed down to the top level of
the silage. Run the blower for at
least 15 minutes each time before
entering the silo.
If you’re in a hurry to start
feeding silage to your cattle, let the
initial 48-hour danger period pass.
Then use an approved, self
contained breathing apparatus
when you enter the silo.
Even if you only suspect that you
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Fires, Toxic Gas
have been exposed to nitrogen
oxide gases, see your doctor as
soon as possible. Exposure symp
toms include irritation of eyes and
mucous membrane, shortness of
breath, and fever, plus ac
cumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Nitrogen oxide gases are not to
be confused with nitrous oxide, the
Pasture Field Day Set
DONEGAL - A field day to
demonstrate the Voisin method of
rotational grazing will be held
Friday, Sept. 12 in Westmoreland
County. The Voisin system, which
involves strip grazing, is currently
under trial at several farms in the
county. The field day will focus on
the system as it applies to dairy
herd grazing.
Tom Calvert, regional Soil
Conservation Service agronomist
will talk on the management of
intensive grazing. Carle Bebes of
the Westmorland County Soil
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“laughing gas” used by many
dentists to produce loss of sen
sibility to pain. Nitrous oxide also
is used as an aerosol propellant in
whipped cream and other food
products.
But the nitrogen gases produced
in farm silos are no laughing
matter, Smith declared.
Conservation Service will discuss
farm management, and Gary
Shepard of the county Extension
Service office will discuss feeding
strategies for dairy cattle.
The field day will be held on the
Burton Mulhomin farm, M & N
Dairy, near Donegal. Lunch for the
event is free, provided by the
Westmoreland Conservation
District. For more information on
the field day, contact the West
moreland County Extension
Service office at (412) 837-1402.
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DEALER
Robert Zimmerman
RDI2 Box 299
Nawvllte, PA 17241
717-774-SMI