Tama Assist Why Cover Your Silage Clamp? Because a Little Effort Goes a Long Way
We know that good silage starts with how well you manage your bales or silage clamp. Everything from proper compacting to contamination can impact quality. And even one misstep can cause a potentially good batch of silage to become unpalatable and even toxic.
But in the race to get your forage cut and covered, some farmers miss a crucial fact: if you haven’t chosen quality silage sheeting or silage pit covers, your hard work could go to waste.
Silage production is highly dependent on proper fermentation. Fail to create an anaerobic environment where the low pH (around 4) ensures only the right bacteria are reproducing, and you’re likely to have high in-clamp losses.
Properly applied, silage clamp covers can prevent weather damage and ensure no oxygen permeates into your fermenting forage. But it’s important to choose a quality silage pit cover.
This is where using the right type of silage clamp cover becomes important. Good silage sheets are:
- Impermeable: Multiple layers, often with an inner and outer sheet, can prevent oxygen from reaching the silage and limit spoilage from environmental factors.
- Durable: With high tear and puncture resistance, quality silage covers can withstand harsh conditions, pests and handling damage.
- UV-resistant: Resists degradation from sunlight.
Silage sheeting should also be easy to apply (because time is of the essence), and may also include a “clingseal” layer to reduce top and shoulder spoilage.
Ask five farmers how they prepare their clamp, and you’ll likely get five different answers. But there are some good general principles to follow. Our advice:
Tuck the sides: It’s extra work to sheet the sides of your pit, but it’s worth it, especially if the walls consist of porous material like earth, sleepers or sheet timber.
Precast concrete is better, but oxygen and moisture might still permeate at the joints, so sheeting the sides can still pay off.
Layer sheeting correctly: A clingseal layer to keep out oxygen, then followed by a top cover, is best practice. Be sure to overlap cover sheets by a metre or two and weigh them down thoroughly at the join.
Use enough weight: Finally, make sure you’re using weights to secure the sheets. This prevents them from blowing open and exposing your silage.
Finally, for many farmers, silage covers are a “one-use item” which means they’re often cut and discarded when feed-out starts. However, if removed carefully to avoid damage, quality silage pit covers can be reused. By doing so, you not only reduce agricultural plastic waste, but also save on the outlay of buying sheeting in the first place; and improve the nutritional value of your silage. And with silage supplies tighter than ever, every bit of nutritional value from your clamp goes a long way.
Speak to us to find silage cover solutions for your operation.
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