Silage additive update: 1985 Silage additive update: 1985

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Introduction
With few exceptions, a satisfactory silage can be made from most crops grown in Kansas.However, to consistently make high quality silage, the silage':' maker must pay attention to details, apply sound management, and understand the importance of the main factors that affect the quality.MATURITY.Harvesting at the optimum stage of maturity is often a compromise between increasing yield and decreasing quality as the crop matures.The following harvesting guidelines are most common: late bud to I II 0 bloom fully dented kernels hard-dough kernels Boot stage for maximum protein content, or soft-dough stage for maximum tonnage and TON yields.

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MOISTURE.This is probably the most important factor affecting silage quality.The optimum level for most crops lies between 60 and 70% moisture.However, the level varies with the crop.If silage is made below 55 to 60% in conventional silos, it is difficult to pack well enough to eliminate air for proper fermentation.Above 70%, high fermentation losses, seepage and reduced animal performance occur.CHOP LENGTH.Theoretically, 11'+ to 1/2-inch length is recommended, but fineness varies with the crop, power requirement, tonnage per hour, etc. FILLING, PACKING, SEALING.The crop should be harvested and the silo filled, packed, and sealed in the shortest possible time.STORAGE STRUCTURE.A solid, well-constructed, properly managed silo is essential if storage losses are to be kept to a minimum.FEEDOUT.In practice, the rate of silage removal from the face and progress through the silo must be fast enough to prevent deterioration and heating.
WEA THER.This uncontrollable factor interacts with most of the other factors.It can delay harvest and prevent crops from being ensiled at their optimum maturity, can lengthen wilting time, or may cause over-wilting.
ADDITIVES.Silage additives are designed to improve the job of silagemaking.They can be classified into 5 main categories: I) Fermentation products, 2) Cereal by-products and other energy and nitrogen containing ingredients, 3) Organic chemicals, '+) Inorganic chemicals, and 5) Other.

Silage Additive Results
Many questions arise when assessing an additive.The most important assessment of a product is its efficacy and the best way for dairy farmers to determine this is to compare in-silo losses and pounds of milk produced per ton of crop ensiled.Five criteria are essential when treated and untreated silages are evaluated: 1) Does the additive lower the ensiling temperature?2) Does it increase dry matter and nutrient recovery from the silo? 3) Does it increase aerobic stability?4) Does it improve feed value and animal performance?and finally 5) Does the improvement offset costs and give a return on investment?
Results of research conducted from 1975 to 1983 at Kansas State University with several fermentation and nitrogen additives were presented in 1984 Cattlemen's Day Report of Progress 448.For more details on silage additives, see K.K. BoIsen and J.l. Heidker.1985.Silage Additives USA.A Guide to Products Available in the United States.Chalcombe Publications.P.O.Box 1222.Manhattan, Kansas 66502.