Corn and forage sorghum silages were
stored in small (simulated), farm-scale, bunker
silos for 180 days, and dry matter (DM) and
organic matter (OM) losses; fermentation
characteristics; and temperatures were measured
at 10, 20, and 30 inches from the original
silage surface. Sealing the exposed surface
significantly increased DM and OM recoveries
in both crops, regardless of depth. Immediate
sealing preserved more DM and OM than
delayed sealing, particularly at the 10-in.
depth.
The unsealed silages from both crops
maintained dramatically higher temperatures
within the top 3 ft. than sealed silages. As
expected, the unsealed silages deteriorated
completely at 10- and 20-in. depths, and the
delayed-seal, forage sorghum silage showed
considerable deterioration at the 10-in. depth.
The immediately sealed corn silages had better
fermentation profiles than their forage sorghum
counterparts. A mold inhibitor, Top Savor®,
increased OM recovery by about 2 percent in
the forage sorghum silage, but had no effect on
corn silage.
These results indicate that sealing (covering)
silos immediately after filling greatly improves
storage efficiency and silage quality in
the top 3 ft.
