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Use of Conventional Tower and Bunker Silos for Low‐Moisture Alfalfa Silage
Author(s) -
Gordon C. H.,
Derbyshire J. C.,
Jacobson W. C.,
Melin C. G.,
McCalmont J. R.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1963.00021962005500040002x
Subject(s) - silage , chemist , griffin , tower , bunker , library science , engineering , agricultural science , mathematics , chemistry , zoology , environmental science , computer science , waste management , archaeology , geography , biology , civil engineering , coal , organic chemistry
1)REVIOUS work has shown that storage of alfalfa wilted to 40-50% dry matter in special gas-tight silos can result in preservation of 900/, or more of the dry matter stored (2, 5 , 7) and silage with a feeding value approaching that of good hay (2, 4) and superior to high-moisture silage (2 ) . Such results have stimulated interest in storing the major portion of the hay crop as low-moisture silage thus avoiding the losses and delays characterizing field curing. However, the majority of farms needing relief from the hazards of field-curing hay are not equipped with gastight silos. These experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of utilizing the usual farm silo for storage of low-moisture silages. Six alfalfa silages, stored in conventional tower and bunker silos from 1960 and 1961 croqs, were studied from the standpoints of necessary precautions, p reserva t ion efficiency, chemica l quality, and temperature characteristics.