Testing the silage for pH, yeast counts, and rate and extent of heating upon exposure to oxygen can be done to determine whether it is likely to transfer well. Make the transfer as quickly as possible to minimize the time that the silage is exposed to oxygen. There should be less oxygen introduced into the silage mass if transferred to a bunker silo or bag than if blown into an upright silo. Pack the re-ensiled material well to exclude as much oxygen from the silage as possible. Removing sufficient transferred silage from the silo each day during feed-out to keep the face or surface cool is important.
Silage needs to be removed evenly across the whole face or surface of the silo.
Typically, removal of 6 inches or more of feed is required to keep the silage face cool between feedings. Any feed that is loosened during feeding and left in the silo is exposed to oxygen and will begin to heat. So, keep the face even and tightly packed and feed up any loose silage. Return to Top of Page Return to Top of Page Focus on Forage is a forage crop information resource of the University of Wisconsin.