Alfalfa silages were made in pilot- and
farm-scale silos, and five sealing treatments
were compared. After 90 days, sealing dramatically
reduced DM losses at the 5 and 10
in. depths in the farm silos and at the 0 to 12,
12 to 24, and 24 to 36 in. depths in the pilot
silos. Extending the storage period to 180 days
in pilot silos had no effect on DM losses for
sealed or delay sealed silages, but DM losses
for unsealed silages continued to increase at all
three depths. Placing a roof over the unsealed,
farm-scale silo increased the silage DM content
at all three depths, increased storage
temperatures at the 10 and 20 in. depths, and
reduced DM loss at the 10 in. depth compared
to the unsealed silo without a roof. Rainfall
was much above normal (16.8 in. during the
first 90 days of storage; 11.2 in. the second 90
days) and contributed to huge increases in the
moisture content of silage at the lower depths
in the unsealed, no roof, pilot- and farm-scale
silos.
