Silage & Forage Management Products
Part of Nutrition and Feed
What Are Silage & Forage Management Products?
Silage and forage management products are tools and additives used to optimize fermentation, minimize storage losses, and maintain feed quality from harvest through feedout. This includes bacterial inoculants, plastic covers, oxygen barrier films, silage facers, and testing equipment.
Why Silage Management Matters
Poor silage management causes losses of 15-30% of harvested dry matter and nutrients. Good management—proper packing, covering, and face management—can reduce losses to 5-10% while maintaining feed quality and palatability.
Key Benefits
- Reduced dry matter loss: Preserve more of what you harvest
- Better fermentation: Faster pH drop, less spoilage
- Improved stability: Less heating at feedout
- Higher quality: Maintain energy and protein content
- Feed safety: Reduce mold and mycotoxin risk
Product Categories
Bacterial Inoculants
Lactic acid bacteria applied at harvest to speed fermentation. Homofermentative strains (L. plantarum) drive fast pH drop. Heterofermentative strains (L. buchneri) improve aerobic stability at feedout. Combination products offer both benefits.
Covers and Films
Plastic covers protect silage from air and water. Oxygen barrier films (OB) dramatically reduce surface spoilage compared to standard polyethylene. Proper sealing at edges and walls is critical.
Bunker and Pile Management
Tire sidewalls, sandbags, or gravel bags weight covers. Wall protection prevents edge spoilage. Proper filling and packing equipment affects density.
Facer Equipment
Defacers and facer-feeders remove silage cleanly to minimize face disturbance, reduce heating, and maintain quality during feedout.
Testing Equipment
pH meters, temperature probes, and fermentation analysis help monitor silage quality and diagnose problems.
Do You Need Silage Management Products?
Consider investing in silage management if:
- You ensile significant amounts of corn silage, haylage, or high-moisture grain
- Surface spoilage and shrink are concerns
- Heating at feedout reduces intake or quality
- You want to maximize return on harvest investment
- Feed quality is variable despite similar harvest conditions
These products may be less critical if:
- You primarily use dry hay or purchased feeds
- Storage volumes are small and feedout is rapid
- Current practices achieve acceptable results
Cost Considerations
Quality inoculants cost $1-3/ton of ensiled feed. Oxygen barrier film costs $50-100 more per bunker than standard plastic. Silage facers cost $5,000-30,000+ depending on type. ROI comes from reduced shrink and better feed quality—saving just 3-5% of a 5,000-ton bunker pays for most management inputs many times over.