RenTip # 105 4/22/2016 Silage Assessments

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1 RenTip # 105 4/22/2016 Silage Assessments An added Renaissance service is Silage Assessments. If you would like a Silage Assessment performed on one of your Dairies, please contact Caitlyn Massie at the office. In this assessment a Penn State shaker box will be used for particle size evaluation of the ensiled forages and TMR samples, temperature probes and an infrared camera will be used for measuring forage heating and aerobic stability assessment, density assessments with a drill driven two inch diameter probe and laboratory samples sent for fermentation analysis will be measured. After the assessment I (Caitlyn) will write up a report and send it to you so that you can discuss it with your Producers. I have attached a sample report. Please contact me with any questions or to schedule a Silage Assessment.

2 Farm Name, Forage & TMR Assessment Date Compiled by: Caitlyn Massie, Renaissance Nutrition A particle size review was undertaken of the ensiled corn silage, haylage and snaplage bunks plus the consistency of the lactating cow TMR samples randomly selected from the feed bunk. Temperature and density assessments were also taken at the piles. A three tray Penn State shaker box was used for the particle size evaluation of the bunk corn silage, haylage and snaplage and lactating cow TMR samples that represented the TMR feed-out along the trough. Two temperature probes (3 foot long (L) and 6 inches long (S)) were used to assess forage aerobic stability at selected points across the corn silage, haylage and snaplage faces. Density assessments at the bunk corn silage, haylage and snaplage face were estimated using a drill driven two inch diameter probe. A representative sample of the bunk corn silage, haylage and snaplage were sent to CVAS for fermentation analysis. 1

3 Results The findings were as follows: Appearance Picture 1: Corn silage bunk with clean face. Picture 2: Snaplage clean bunker face. 2

4 Forage Particle Size The particle size distribution results (using a 3 tray Penn State shaker box) for the ensiled corn silage, haylage and snaplage bunks are summarized in Table 1. Recommended target guidelines are shown in brackets adjacent to the measured results. Table 1: Particle size distribution for the forages CORN SILAGE HAYLAGE SNAPLAGE Actual Target Actual Target Actual Target %TOP TRAY 37.1 (5-10) 70.0 (10-20) 2.8 (1-5) % MID TRAY 48.6 (50-70) 19.8 (40-70) 39.4 (30-70) % BOTTOM TRAY 14.3 (<40) 10.2 (<35) 57.8 (<50) Picture 3: Corn silage bunk three tray Penn State shaker box results. Picture 4: Haylage bunk three tray Penn State shaker box results. 3

5 Picture 5: Snaplage bunk three tray Penn State shaker box results. The bunk corn silage and haylage had an overall longer theoretical length of cut (TLC) with high top tray content. The snaplage TLC was expected for processed farm grain products. Forage Temperature The long probe (L) and short probe (S) temperatures in the corn silage, haylage and snaplage bunks are summarized in Table 2 below. Table 2: Average and range of temperatures ( F) from representative sample probe points L (3 FT PROBE) S (6 IN PROBE) CORN SILAGE HAYLAGE SNAPLAGE ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) The temperatures from the L probe were consistent and in line with expectations for these types of crops. The S probe temperatures indicated a relative and consistent modest cooling down as the corn silage, haylage and snaplage bunks approached the face for feed-out resulting in aerobic stability at the current ambient temperatures (32 F). 4

6 Picture 6: Corn silage bunk infrared picture. Picture 7: Snaplage bunk infrared picture. Forage Density The fresh and DM densities (lb/ft 3 ) for random sample points across the bunk face are summarized in table 3 below. Table 3: Fresh and DM density for the forages CORN SILAGE HAYLAGE SNAPLAGE Left Center Right Left Center Right Left Center Right FRESH WEIGHT DENSITY (LB/FT 3 ) DM DENSITY (LB/FT 3 ) The bunk corn silage and had a range of DM densities from 12.0 to 14.2 lb/ft 3 averaging 13.4 lb/ft 3. Typically for corn silage piles the minimum recommended DM density would be at least 5

7 18.0 lb/ft 3, indicating more attention to packing is needed. Haylage DM density averaged 19.0 lb/ft3, which is more compacted than the recommended 16.0 lb/ft3. The snaplage was packed with an average DM density of 28.3 lb/ft 3, which is close to the recommended 31.5 lb/ft 3. Lab Analysis Corn silage, haylage and snaplage bunk samples were sent to Dairyland Laboratories for fermentation analysis are shown in Table 4. Table 4: Fermentation Analysis of Bunks CORN SILAGE HAYLAGE SNAPLAGE LAB # DM% CP% ANDFOM% % andf LACTIC ACID % ACETIC ACID % BUTYRIC ACID % 0.80 PH CSPS The corn silage and snaplage samples had low phs that were driven by lactic and acetic acid content. The haylage had a high butyric acid level and an ash level of 12.20%, which likely slowed the front end fermentation and increased clostridial species within the forage reducing haylage quality. Total Mixed Rations (TMR s) The results of the particle size distributions on the samples of the lactating cow TMR is shown in Table 5. Industry target values for milk cow TMR s are indicated in brackets for each tray type. Table 5: Lactating and Dry Cow TMR evaluation with a 3 tray separator LACTATING Actual Target %TOP TRAY 37.1 (5-10) % MID TRAY 48.6 >40 % BOTTOM TRAY 14.3 <50 The lactating cow TMR had a high top tray at 57.1%, which can be allotted to the high TLC of the corn silage and haylage. 6

8 Picture 8: Lactating cow TMR three tray Penn state shaker box results. Conclusions & Recommendations There is an opportunity for the farm team to discuss a shorter TLC for future bunk corn silages and haylages. Good packing densities on the haylage and snaplage, but more attention to packing is recommended on the corn silage bunk. Cutting haylage at a higher cutter bar height might decrease soil contamination within the ensiled forage by reducing ash content and clostridial bacteria. A strong front end fermentation inoculant capable of dropping the ph in a quick, consistent manner may help prevent the butyric acid within the haylage. 7