Comparisons of Unsealed and Plastic Sealed Silages for Preservation Efficiency and Feeding Value

Abstract

Plastic seals applied to the surface of hay-crop silage stored in bunkers reduced total dry matter losses about 10 lb. for each foot2 of surface sealed. Invisible and seepage losses were reduced much more by this procedure than were visible top spoilage losses. Silage from sealed bunkers was eaten in greater amounts by dairy cattle and resulted in higher milk production than silage from unsealed bunkers. However, neither digestibility nor chemical quality were consistently improved by sealing. Temperatures in unsealed silage reached a higher peak and at a later date than in sealed silage. Storage in sealed stacks was no more satisfactory than in sealed bunkers.