their target 14 lbs DM / cu ft. They cited 1995 research by Ruppel showing losses that approached 20% when silage density was less than 14 lbs DM/ cu ft. The University of Wisconsin (UW) has numerous articles and spreadsheets that cover topics related to forage storage available at www.uwex.edu/ces/crop s/uwforage/storage.htm. Holmes (UW 2005) in the Average Density of Silage in Storage spreadsheet allows you to safely determine your feed out rate and density, by noting feedout disappearance from various size storages. To improve results next season, Holmes's (UW 2011) Bunk Density Calculator spreadsheet provides information on how thick packing layers should be, and what tractor weight is needed depending on the rate of bunker filling and time spent packing to achieve their recommended density of greater than 15# DM/cu ft. Changing from a 10 in. to a 5 in. packing layer can increase packing density by 3 - 5 lbs/cu ft. Bolton and Holmes (UW 2009) graphed silage feedout losses showing a 3 inch removal rate at 15 lb/cu ft. packing density resulted in a 3.5% loss, but at a 10 lb. density, loss increased to 7%. At a 9 inch removal rate and 15 lb. density loss was
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Economics from A13 1.5%, but at the 10 lb. density loss was 3%. They recommend never removing less than 6 inches per day. Summary Good management can limit combined harvest, storage and feedout losses to 10-15%. Poor management can result in combined losses up to 60 to 75%. Be aware that the losses are the most digestible nutrients. Less digestible nutrients remain, resulting in poorer quality forage. Muck (2009) stresses the best use of inoculants is in combination with good silage management. Keeping the feedout face tight and smooth and only removing as much silage as will be fed in 12 hours will minimize heating & spoilage. Bolton and Homes (UW 2009) recommend use of several smaller silos to fill, pack and cover each more quickly. If forage is coming in rapidly, by filling and packing 2 bunkers simultaneously you can use more packing tractors, with less interference. They note benefits of north-south bunker orientation (to minimize snow accumulation) and open end bunkers to increase management flexi-
bility. Also, a deeper pile (8 ft or more) reduces surface area to volume with a 12 x 50 x 365 bunker at 10% loss losing about 20 tons less than an 8 x 75 x 365 ft bunker. It's important to calculate forage and feed inventory in the fall and make any purchases when supplies are available and generally lower priced. Using the UW density and sizing calculators or worksheets from the Crop Storage Institute (www.cropstorage. com) will allow you to plan ahead for this year's needs. Holmes's (UW 2011) newest spreadsheet on Determining Value of Improved Silage Management brings together the numerous factors to estimate the money that could be saved on your operation. Using his example values for a 100 cow dairy (with heifers),
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with corn silage at $60 / as fed ton, corn at $7 / bu, and haycrop at $175 (dry hay basis), reducing losses from 30% to 20%
by improving management will save over $32,000 / year. Taking steps to reduce the losses that occur at harvest, fill-
ing, storage, feedout and in the trough could net a dairy farm up to $320 / cow / year.
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