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Conservation and Feed Value of Low-Moisture Orchardgrass Stored in Gas-Tight and Bunker Silos

USDA, ARS, Beltsville, Maryland

ABSTRACT

The utility of gas-tight and plastic-sealed bunkers for storage of orchardgrass was directly compared in two years. Poor drying weather in Year One resulted in a filling period of eight days. Average moisture content at storage was 52%. Extended exposure in the bunker silo contributed to an unsatisfactory 72% dry matter recovery, but the sealed silo was readily adapted to the long filling period. In the second year filling occupied four days and moisture content averaged 72%. Bunker and gas-tight silo dry matter recoveries were 91 and 93%, respectively. Chemical quality and dairy cow response differences related to type of silo were minor each year. Protein digestibility by sheep was somewhat lower each year in silage from the gas-tight silo.

It appeared that rapid storage is of prime importance to efficient preservation in bunker silos; hence, they may be incompatible with attaining a consistently low moisture content in forage stored during inclement weather.

¹ Animal Husbandry Research Division.

² Agricultural Engineering Research Division.