WINTER BONUS MAGAZINE 2025

Proper silage face management is essential for maintaining high-quality feed and minimising losses in dry matter. By following best practices, farmers can optimise their silage production, improve animal performance, and reduce feed costs. Investing time and effort into managing the silage face will ultimately pay off by preserving the nutritional integrity of the feed and minimising spoilage and losses. to 45 cm per day to maintain silage quality. A smaller face may be necessary in summer when silage usage slows. Consider the impact of a smaller face during the summertime when silage usage may decrease. The level of compaction of the silage pit will also influence the feed-out rate. Poor compaction allows for oxygen penetration deeper into the pit. This will increase feed-out rates, regardless of the season. Consistent removal is crucial to prevent air from penetrating the pit, which can lead to spoilage and heating. 3. Minimise exposure of loose silage Loose silage that sits at the base of the silage face is exposed to oxygen and can heat up and undergo secondary fermentation, resulting in further spoilage. To prevent this: • Remove silage multiple times a day. • Avoid leaving silage exposed for extended periods before feeding. • Minimise leftover silage at the base of the face after feeding. • Promptly discard spoiled silage as it reduces nutritional value and negatively impacts animal performance. 4. Properly manage the cover Remove no more than three days’ worth of cover at a time to limit prolonged exposure to oxygen. This will also help prevent birds and pests from damaging silage stores. Discard spoiled or mouldy silage promptly to avoid affecting the overall quality of the feed. Spoiled silage can negatively impact animal intake and digestibility. Consider sealing edges with sandbags or gravel to further prevent oxygen penetration. Repair holes in the plastic covering immediately. If the damage is extensive, re-cover the pit. Contact your local De Heus technical advisor to help the silage quality on your farm – https://www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com ogression t a rate of 15–30 m per day to limit oxygen exposure. Cooler temperatur s armer months, increase the feed-out rate to 45 cm per day to maintain silage essary in summer when silage usage slows. Consider the impact of a smaller silage usage may decrease. ge pit will also i fluence the feed-out rate. Poor compaction allows for oxygen is will increase feed-out rates, regardless of the season. Consistent removal is ting the pit, which can lead to spoilage and heating. ilage f the silage face is exposed to oxygen and can heat up and undergo secondary poilage. To prevent this: s a day. for extended periods before feeding. e base of the face after feeding. silage as it reduces nutritional value and negatively impacts animal ' worth of cover at a time to limit prolonged exposure to oxygen. This will also damaging silage stores. Discard spoiled or mouldy silage promptly to avoid e feed. Spoiled silage can negatively impact animal intake and digestibility. bags or gr avel to further prevent oxygen p netration. Rep air holes in the plastic ge is extensive, re-cover the pit. nt is essential for minimising losses in ractices, farmers can n, improve animal ts. Investing time and will ultimately pay off grity of the feed and hnical advisor to help maximise the silage quality on your farm – https:// /. www.agribonus.co.za Winter 2025 BONUS 13