A Laboratory Silo and its Uses

Abstract

An experimental silo and procedures have been described by means of which pressures and other conditions that prevail at different levels in large silos can readily be simulated.Preliminary results are presented showing that the heavy pressure found in the lower portion of large silos is largely responsible for liquid losses that often accompany silage making. The amount of pressure also affects the final density which the silage attains.The maturity or dry matter level of the crop ensiled exerts a marked effect both on liquid loss and silage density. Variations of crop species show less influence than stage of maturity in these respects.Leakage from the silage is not only a nuisance but may represent a heavy loss of nutrients.The total weight loss, including considerable loss by evaporation, was found in this study to be much less than the commonly accepted value for the fermentation loss of silage making.