Oxygen as an enemy: Successful silo face management

Poor face management of silos can dramatically increase silo dry matter losses and decrease the quality and consistency of the feed delivered to dairy cows. This may cause health and production problems. One of the key goals in a good silo face management is to minimize oxygen exposure to the silo.

As shown in Figure 1, when silages are re-exposed to oxygen, aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold have increased activity. Silage deterioration and increased temperature occurs. We can visualize that (Figure 2) heating occurs when silo face areas have had more time for oxygen to penetrate and growth of aerobic organisms, whereas areas where last faced was not as hot because aerobic bacteria have not got enough time to multiply.

Figure 1: In Phase V, when silages are re-exposed to oxygen, aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold have increased activity. Silage deterioration and increased temperature occurs.

Figure 2: Heating occurs when silo face areas have had more time for oxygen to penetrate and growth of aerobic organisms. Areas where last faced was not as hot because aerobic bacteria have not got enough time to multiply.

Because dry matter loss decreases when bulk density increases and when greater inches are removed from the face (Figure 3), we should try to feed off a minimum 6 inches across the entire face daily and keep the face clean. In a well-packed bunker or pile, oxygen moves back about 3 feet from the face. So at 6 inches per day removal from the face, silage is exposed to oxygen for 6 days before the cows get the silage. In addition, packing density is important as well, because well-packed silages have less exposure to oxygen compared with loosely packed silages (Figure 4). To reduce shoulder spoilage, the use of side-wall film is highly recommended (Figure 5).

A successful silo face management is a successful management of oxygen!