They moved the gate as needed, usually every two to three days. Self-feeding started in November and was completed by early March while the ground was still frozen. Researchers at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station have developed a more permanent silage storage system. They store fall-harvested legumes and corn silage by blowing the forages into the front of treated wood trench silos. The crew tries to keep silage from each load as level as possible, using a small tractor to pack the silage after each load.
Black plastic held in place by fence posts covers the silo.
The crew feeds silage daily in feeders to ewes. Construct and size horizontal silos to seal the sides and provide the amount of silage needed each feeding period. Silage must be filled rapidly, packed well, sealed carefully, and immediately covered to reduce spoilage losses. Silage inoculates in the top 1 to 2 feet help reduce spoilage and extend silage bunk-life. Store silage in bunker silos at moisture contents of 62 to 68 percent.