Best Practices for Effective Silage Management

In modern livestock operations, silage plays a pivotal role in ensuring a consistent, high-quality feed supply.

Properly stored silage not only preserves essential nutrients but also reduces spoilage, improving overall feed efficiency. By following best practices and choosing advanced silage film solutions, you can boost productivity, ensure animal health, and increase cost-effectiveness in your farm. 

Below, we explore key steps in effective silage management while highlighting Plastika Kritis’ cutting-edge silage film solutions that can help you achieve superior results.

Why is proper silage management important? 

1. Nutrient preservation
   Silage fermentation is an anaerobic process that retains valuable nutrients in forage crops. Ensuring minimal oxygen exposure helps preserve proteins, sugars, and other essential compounds, ultimately leading to a more nutritious feed.
2. Reduced spoilage
   When silage is exposed to oxygen, spoilage organisms can thrive, causing mold and decay. By minimizing oxygen infiltration, farmers can decrease waste and lower feed costs over time.
3. Animal health & performance
   High-quality silage supports optimal digestion and nutrient absorption in livestock, leading to improved milk yield in dairy cows, better growth rates in beef cattle, and overall enhanced animal welfare.
4. Improved end-product quality
   Silage directly influences the quality of end-products such as milk and meat. In dairy cows, well-fermented silage with consistent nutrient levels contributes to higher milk yields, improved milk protein and fat content, and reduced somatic cell counts.

Ten proven techniques to improve silage quality 

1. Optimal dry matter content: For corn silage, aim for a dry matter (DM) content of 32-33%, and for grass silage, 27-28%. This range supports proper fermentation and nutrient preservation.
2. Adequate compaction: Achieve compaction levels exceeding 240 kg DM/m³ for corn and 200 kg DM/m³ for grass. Proper compaction expels air, fostering anaerobic conditions essential for effective fermentation.
3. Hermetic sealing: Seal the silo immediately after compaction to prevent oxygen infiltration, which can lead to spoilage and reduced feed quality. In clamp silos, cover walls with appropriate film to ensure a complete seal, further protecting the forage from environmental factors.
4. Use an underlay film: Pairing an oxygen barrier underlay with a tough, weather-resistant top film offers double-layer protection. The thin underlay films provide far superior sealing through the vacuum effect and reduce the risk of spoilage. EVOH O2-barrier underlay films can reduce oxygen further, ensuring even higher quality silage.
5. Use absolute O2 barrier films: Incorporate high-performance EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) barrier films, known for their exceptional oxygen impermeability. These films act as a virtually airtight shield, dramatically reducing oxygen ingress and preserving the nutritional value of the silage. 
6. Use combi (2in1) rolls: Simplify and speed up the silage covering process by using 2-in-1 combi rolls, which combine an underlay and protective top layer in a single, pre-attached roll. These rolls save time and labor during application while ensuring optimal film positioning and airtight sealing. 
7. Protective netting: Utilize durable nets to shield the silo from external threats such as weather conditions, birds, or other animals, ensuring the integrity of the silage.
8. Secure film application: After laying the net or just the film, use gravel bags around and across the silo to firmly secure it. If possible, avoid the use of tires, as they do not provide uniform pressure.
9. Regularly inspect film integrity: Small holes or tears can quickly lead to spoilage. Promptly patch or replace damaged sections to keep your silage in top condition.
10. Plan for removal: When it’s time to feed out, remove the silage cover methodically. Try to feed out 20-30cm/day from the entire silage face and keep a uniform, clean face. 

Choosing the Right Silage Film: Plastika Kritis Solutions

At Plastika Kritis, we can offer advanced silage films proposed to various farming needs. Our product range ensures you can choose the most suitable film for your operation, from high oxygen barrier underlays to durable puncture-resistant covers.

• SealTight: A thin 35mic (1.4-1.6mil) transparent film made of 100% virgin LLDPE, serves as an additional layer beneath the primary silage cover. Its strength and softness allow it to cling perfectly to the feed, creating a vacuum effect that eliminates air pockets and significantly reduces spoilage
• SealTight Plus: This transparent 46mic (1.6-1.8mil) soft and flexible Oxygen Barrier vacuum film features an EVOH layer that prevents any oxygen entry into the silo. Its clingy nature eliminates air pockets between the film and forage, dramatically reducing spoilage, especially at the upper parts and edges of the silo.
• SiloGuard: Engineered from the strongest type of polyethylene, SiloGuard metallocene silage films offer unmatched durability and performance. At 110-115 microns, these UV-stabilized, lightweight films are available in various color combinations and widths up to 54  meters, ensuring airtight silos and superior forage preservation.
• SuperProtect: Designed to replace scrim-reinforced products, SuperProtect is a lighter, more flexible, recyclable, and stronger 7-layer PE film that resists punctures and tears, suitable for high-performance applications.
• SuperProtect Plus: Combining near-zero oxygen transmission rates with outstanding puncture and tear resistance, SuperProtect Plus is a 152mic (6mil) one-step solution allowing for quick installation and superior crop protection
• SilO₂Block: A robust and flexible 7-layer oxygen barrier film incorporating a thin EVOH layer, SilO₂Block offers 50 times lower oxygen permeability than standard polyethylene films. This significantly improves anaerobic fermentation conditions, reducing spoilage and enhancing forage quality.

As the pioneer of the Combi (2in1) solutions, Plastika Kritis also offers the following products: 

• Combi Silo: Featuring a super-strong metallocene silage film paired with a very flexible PE underlay in one roll, Combi Silo facilitates efficient single-move silage covering.
• Combi Barrier : Combining an EVOH-based Oxygen Barrier underlay with a tough metallocene silage film in one roll, Combi Barrier offers ultimate convenience. The underlay achieves over 40 times lower oxygen transmission rates than PE films and ensures a vacuum effect  , while the top layer provides physical protection against harsh conditions.

 Conclusion

Efficient silage management begins with proper harvesting, thorough compaction, and the right silage film solutions. By minimizing oxygen infiltration and ensuring a secure seal, you can protect valuable nutrients, reduce waste, and enhance overall feed quality. Plastika Kritis offers a comprehensive range of silage films - all designed to meet diverse operational needs.

Whether you require an ultra-tough single-roll solution or a specialized oxygen barrier underlay, our innovative products help you achieve superior forage preservation. Embrace best practices in silage management and explore our advanced film technologies to optimize feed quality, boost productivity, and support the long-term success of your agricultural enterprise. For more information on our silage films and other agricultural products, contact us or download our silage guide here. 

We look forward to helping you enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maximize profitability in your silage operations.