C2-Lancaattf Farmlnfl, Saturday, Hay 9,1992 Good Editor’s Note: Part 2 of 3 on the silage making process is reprinted with permission from International Silo Association. Comments Of The Ensiling Process In looking at the normal ensil ing process, there a number of related points that should be kept in mind. 1. Timeliness. Success of fai lure in silage making is deter mined largely by the events which occur during the first few days after storage. The type and degree of microbial activity, and thus the end product, are influenced by moisture, temperature, oxygen supply, and available energy. 2. Fast Filling. Proper and effi cient ensiling is achieved by the quick disappearance of oxygen from the silage mass. This con trols the extent of the temperature rise and encourages the anaerobic or true fermentation phase to start before there is any appreciable loss of plant energy. 3. Moisture. Ensiling a crop with a moisture content of 50-70% aids in developing a well-packed mass that minimizes both the amount of entrapped air and also the amount of subsequent air that can enter from outside. 4. Anaerobic. To obtain quality silage, anaerobic conditions should be reached as quickly as possible (within 1-3 days) to pre vent undesirable microbial activi ty from taking place, and with it excessive heat buildup and nutri tional loss. The length of time it takes to reach the end of the aerob ic phase depends on such factors as silo type, fineness of chop, dis tribution and packing, etc. Anaer obic conditions inhibit plant respi ration as well as the development of molds and yeast during the first John Mark Hunter Branch V.P. MHADVILLE (Crawford Co.) —John Mark Hunter, formerly of Washington, recently began his duties as vice president for branch operations with Penn West Farm Credit, ACA (Agricultural Credit Association). Hunter is responsible for the management of operations and credit for the two branch offices servicing Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venango, and Forest counties. Hunter was raised on a south west Washington County dairy farm. He began his career with Farm Credit after earning his de gree in business administration from West Liberty State College, West Liberty, W. Va. He saved as Held representative, loan officer, and branch manager in the Wash ington Branch prior to his current Ensiling Depends On Variety Of Factors days of storage. Yeasts and molds compete with desirable acid producing bacteria for WSC in the plant material, resulting in high dry matter losses and lower qual ity silage. 5. High Organic Acid. The more rapid the development of a high organic acid concentration, the lower will be the losses that occur during fermentation (i.e. less time for spoilage organisms to operate, less growth of yeasts, etc.). The rapidity of attaining die final pH depends on temperature, moisture content, WSC concentra tion, protein content, and oxygen infiltration. 6. Fermentation. In the ensiling process, it is important to achieve complete fermentation i.e. high production of organic acids (parti cularly lactic) and the resulting low pH level. Sufficient lactic acid will only be produced if a good supply of WSC are available in the ensiling mass. 7. Plant Sugars. The amount of The Badger Frost Busters! Ring Drive Silo Unloader 4 MONTH FREE FINANCING, {lodger Manure Spreaders HESS' EQUPMENT Salas & Swvice RR 3. Mlfflinburo, PA 17844 (717) 868-2720 868-1888 MELVIN G. MR.LER RT 2. Spring Mill*. PA 16875 (814) 422-8278 PIKEVILLE EQUIPMENT INC. RT 2, Olay, PA 18547 (215) 887-6277 WSC of plant sugars available for fermentation is governed by a number of factors such as plant species and dry matter content WSC are readily available in com, somewhat less in grasses, and, particularly in more northern lati tudes, considerably less in legumes. At higher moisture levels, the WSC concentration is lower. One of the benefits of wilt ing the hay crop before ensiling is to concentrate the WSC, thereby providing more energy for lactic acid. 8. Management There are a number of management practices which influence the sugar content of haycrop forage and thus the results of fermentation. Some of these include fertilization, plant maturity at time of cutting, length of wilting period, prevention of rain damage, and achieving rapid anaerobic conditions on ensiling. 9. Hay Silage. Alfalfa is one of the most difficult materials to ensile, hi addition to being low in INTEREST WAIVER 3 YEAR WARRANTY! 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In addition to the production of odorous such as butyric acid, Clostridia fermen tation produces wasteful by WAIVER TILL SEPT. 1, '92 OR LOW RATE FINANCING •0% -12 Mo. • 7.JV24 Mo. • 9.9V36 Mo. OR CASH DISCOUNT IN LIEU OF FINANCING mure Spreaders. Liquid Spreader Tanks WAIVER OF FINANCE OR LOW RATE FINANCING • 4.9%- 12 Months • 7.9% - 24 Months • 9.9%- 36 Months DEERFELD AG « TURF CENTER, me. RD 2, Box 212 Watsonkwm, PA 17777 (717)5364557 CHAMBERSBURG FARM SERVICE 975 S. Main St. Chambersburg, PA 17201 (717) 264-3533 products such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. The resulting silage is of lower nutritional value, not as readily accepted by the livestock, and if fed, will result in poor intake and poor performance. Clo stridia activity can be reduced by lowering the moisture of the material to be ensiled and encour aging fast lactic acid buildup by following good silage-making practices. 11. High Moisture Hay Silage. Clostridial fermentation can be a particular problem with high moisture content haylage (espe cially legumes), where large quan tities of lactic acid are required to lower the pH to a point where Clo stridia will be inhibited. As well, the high buffering action of legumes means that even more lactic acid is required to reduce the pH of the silage. In addition, this type of plant material may not have enough WSC available for the lactobacilli to produce suffi cient lactic acid. JBwJger Forage Boxes.. Built (or the long Haul! Modal BNIOSO ■ The only forage boxes built' to flex on all terrain ■ High-strength alloy steel undercarriage ■ 23V 2 * wide high-speed cross conveyor ■ Lifetime warranty on the sides and deck WAIVER TILL SEPT. 1, ’92 LOW RATE FINANCING • 0% -12 Me. • 7.9V24 Mo. • 9.9%-36 Mo. 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