Page Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 7, 1998 Study Examines Effects Of Processing Corn Silage Larry Hoover Department Of Ag And Biological Engineering Penn State Studies have shown the need for a limited amount of effec tive fiber in the rations of lactat ing dairy cows being fed total mixed rations. Mechanical silage process ing using roller mills has been hailed as a means to achieve more physically effective fiber with all silage diets, and many farmers have begun to incoipo rate com silage processing into their forage feeding systems. Com silage processing has been mark eted for its ability to reduce or eliminate undamaged com kernels and achieve more physically effective fiber in com silage. While this is true, little is known about the effects of mechanical processing on silage particle size distribution for different theoretical lengths of cut (TLC). How long should silage be chopped if it will be processed before entering the silo? Does it matter? How does processing and TLC affect silage compaction? In an effort to answer these questions, a recent study at Penn State was conducted to determine the interactions between mechanical processing and length of cut on particle size distribution and compaction of com silage. Com silage at 70 percent and 57 percent whole plant moisture and cut at 0.75-, 1.5-, and 2.25-inch theoretical lengths of cut (TLC) was used in the study. The com silage was processed in a roller mill with the rolls set at minimum clear ance 0.015 inch. One significant finding of the research showed that processing silage with the rolls set at minimum clearance totally eli minated undamaged kernels and large pieces of cob in the silage regardless of TLC and moisture content. We also found that as TLC increased, the effective fiber of the processed silage increased, regardless of moisture content. When we evaluated the particle sizes of the silages, we found the amount of fine material in the processed silage was simi lar, regardless of TLC and moisture con tent. In other words, there was not more fine material (<0.22 inch) in the processed 0.75-inch TLC when compared to the pro cessed 2.25-inch TLC. Our study also showed that the com pacted densities of the processed silage were similar regardless of chop length. R-k-iaiogt — R A 1 ” 1225 > Colebrook Rd. BUYING BAR CORN. SHELLED CORN & WHEAT (717) 653-2510 1 (800) 654-2510 Spot or contract prices available BAR CORN FOR SALE DELIVERED TO THE FARM The decision concerning how long to chop com silage must first be based on the type of storage system being used on the farm. There are practical limits to the lengths of cut used in upright silos because of sil age compaction and consolida tion within the silo as well as compatibility with blowers and silo unloaders. Bunker silos can more easily accommodate longer lengths of cut since blower and unloader compatibilitiesno longer apply and compaction is accom plished by physically driving over the silage with a tractor. Chopping fine requires more Marietta, PA 17547 Visa & Mastercard accepted with all orders Web Site: http:/www.gvminc.com CALL TODAY FOR OUR NEW 300 PAGE 1998 PRODUCT CATALOG power than chopping at a lon ger TLC, and processing also takes a significant amount of power. Therefore, dropping at a short TLC as well as process ing will require more power than processing and chopping at longer TLC. In light of the findings in this study, farmers who are process ing com silage chopped at less than 0.75 inch are using more power than necessary and not capitalizing on the full potential silage processing provides in regards to increased effective fiber. According to this study, the longest TLC that is compat ible with the farmer s feeding system is best. 1025 Nurse Dot Trailer 4.5 ton, 33” Stainless Steel Transpread MANUFACTURERS OF: • Row-Cat & AgriCat • Hydraspray Line of Floater & Pick-up Sprayers • Tran Spread Floater, Truck & Pull Spreaders • All Ground Drive Pull Spreaders • Foam Markers • Nozzle Alerts Silage compaction is impor tant due to its impact on silage quality. To produce quality sil age, the silage must ferment in an oxygen-free environment, and compaction is an important means of excluding oxygen from silage and prohibiting oxygen infiltration during stor age. The results of this study suggest that the densities of processed silage, regardless of TLC, were similar, suggesting that, if compacted properly, 2.25-inch TLC processed silage should compact as well as 0.75 TLC silage, producing similar quality silage in the end. On the other hand, the densi ties of the unprocessed silage did vary significantly with Norwesco Tanks... DISTRIBUTORS OF: • Norwesco Tanks • A wide variety of pumps, valves, coupling, fittings & hose • Spraying Systems Accessories • Rayman Tenders • Melroe Spra-Coupes • Swinger Loaders & Mobility Spreaders • Layco Blenders & Conveyors • Precision Pull & ATV Sprayers m m A I m 7 INCORPORATED TLC. Silage chopped at 2.25-inch TLC did not pack as well as silage chopped at 0.75-inch TLC, meaning that less oxygen was excluded from the 2.25-inch TLC, resulting in lower quality silage. In conclusion, kernel pro cessing becomes increasingly beneficial as the silage TLC is increased. In order to maximize the potential of silage process ing, silage should be chopped at the largest TLC that is compati ble with the feeding system. In so doing, producers will obtain the benefits of longer fiber par ticles in his silage without sac rificing forage quality due to poor packing in the silo. ,c^ ksprayers Swinger 2000 AG 374 HEIDLERSBURG ROAD BIGLERVILLE, PA 17307 800-345-3546
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