WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2025

Maximising silage quality: Top tips for perfect face management Sarah Harrison - Technical Advisor: Dairy Silage facemanagement is an essential practice for farmers aiming to preserve the quality of their silage andminimise dry matter (DM) losses. A properly managed silage face reduces oxygen exposure, which is key to preventing spoilage andmaintaining the nutritional value of the feed. In this article we discuss why facemanagement is crucial and provide practical steps farmers can take to optimise the silage face, reduce losses, and improve silage quality. The importance of silage face management Silage face management directly impacts silage’s nutritional value and efficiency as animal feed. When exposed to oxygen, aerobic microorganisms such as yeast begin breaking down lactic acid, causing an increase in pH. This higher pH allows spoilage organisms (including undesirable fungi and bacteria) to thrive, leading to substantial DM losses. The goal of silage face management is to limit oxygen exposure, thereby preventing spoilage processes and reducing losses. Benefits of proper silage face management 1. Minimised oxygen exposure: A well- managed silage face reduces the surface area exposed to oxygen, effectively preventing spoilage and maintaining silage quality. 2. Reduced DM losses: Without proper face management, farmers can experience up to 10% DM losses. Equipment plays a role too. Using equipment like a face shaver can reduce these losses by approximately 3% compared to using front-end loaders. 3. Prevention of avalanches: A smooth, perpendicular silage face reduces the risk of avalanches, which can cause further spoilage and silage loss. 4. Prevention of water accumulation: Proper management ensures that water does not collect on the silage face during wet conditions, helping to prevent spoilage. How tomanage the silage face 1. Maintain a smooth, perpendicular surface Ensure the silage face is smooth and vertical to minimise oxygen exposure. A smooth face limits air penetration and helps prevent spoilage. Avoid lifting silage from the bottom of the pile with a front-end loader, as this introduces oxygen. Instead, remove silage evenly across the width of the face (left to right) to ensure consistent removal and reduce spoilage. 2. Ensure consistent feed-out progression In colder months, remove silage at a rate of 15– 30 cm per day to limit oxygen exposure. Cooler temperatures help maintain silage stability. In warmer months, increase the feed-out rate Winter 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 12