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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422931
Research Project: Innovative Forage and Pasture Management Strategies for Dairy Agroecosystems

Location: Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research

Title: Current understanding of techniques to improve baled silage

Author
item Akins, Matthew
item Coblentz, Wayne

Submitted to: International Silage Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Baled silage is produced throughout the US by producers looking to reduce the risks of weather damage to hay forage crops. Research has led to improved understanding of baled silage fermentation and important management factors for successful production of baled silage. Recent work from the USDA-ARS Dairy Forage Research Center lab in Marshfield, WI has provided advances in knowledge related to silage moisture, silage film thickness and type, film application timing, acid application, and inoculant use. Based on previous and recent research, critical management factors identified include optimal harvest moisture of 45-55%, application of 6-8 mil of plastic film within 24 hours, and ensuring bale wrap integrity throughout the storage phase. Baled silage has a slower and more limited fermentation than chopped silage due to lower recommended moisture concentrations and longer particle size, which reduces availability of plant sugars for fermentation. The recommended moisture for baled silage allows for adequate lactic acid fermentation and reduces the potential for clostridial fermentation that can occur in wetter bales. Due to the restricted fermentation, application of film within 24 hours helps limit respiration and loss of carbohydrates, with delays resulting in less fermentation and lower nutritive value. Use of plastic film on lower moisture bales (20-30%) was also found to limit respiration, heating, and nutritive losses better than only propionic acid due to restricting oxygen entry. Maintenance of the anaerobic environment in storage is a key to allow for the slower fermentation process, while minimizing air entry and mold growth. Use of inoculants has generally improved fermentation with recent work with a heterolactic inoculant increasing acetic acid and aerobic stability, but variable results have been found across studies. Additional research is needed to determine situations and management to improve inoculant effectiveness in preserving baled silages.