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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #370692
Research Project: Improving Nutrient Use Efficiency and Mitigating Nutrient and Pathogen Losses from Dairy Production Systems

Location: Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research

Title: Baled silage management

Author
item Coblentz, Wayne

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2020
Publication Date: 1/31/2020
Citation: Coblentz, W.K. 2020. Baled silage management. Symposium Proceedings. Driftless Beef Conference, January 30-31, 2020, Dubuque, IA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Baled silage is an attractive forage preservation option for many small or mid-sized dairy and beef producers. Most principles for management of baled silages are similar to those for precision-chopped silages, but there are some key differences. Baled silages normally ferment more slowly than chopped silages, and likely will have a final pH that is less acidic. Some of these differences can be attributed to the long-stem nature of most baled silages, but the recommended lower moisture concentration (45 to 55%) also plays an important role in restricting fermentation. Furthermore, many producers harvest and wrap forages at moisture concentration even less than recommended, oftentimes resulting in minimal production of fermentation acids. Although this practice is not necessarily problematic, even more emphasis should be placed on establishing and maintaining an anaerobic environment for good silage preservation.