Why use silage bags?
Bagged silage is a method that is becoming more widely used. Farmers may want to consider this option before deciding how to store silage on their farm. Among the possible advantages are:

  • lower total annual costs
  • lower initial investment
  • much of the investment is in machinery, not in structures (which are hard to sell if plans change)
  • low storage losses due to spoilage
  • higher quality silage•potential to reduce work hazards

Bagged silage has its disadvantages as well as advantages. However, in some situations it can improve silage management. Farmers need to compare advantages and disadvantages of different storage methods.

How much does bagging cost?
When estimating how costly different alternatives are, it is very important to consider all costs, not only the cost of ownership of structures.

These costs include ownership costs (interest and principal on capital invested in structures and equipment), as well as operational costs such as labor, maintenance, repairs, fuel, plastic and property tax on taxable structures. The amount of spoilage (storage loss) is assigned a dollar value, and it is included with operational costs.

Will bagged silage save money?

Advertisement
  • A farm with a 55-cow herd may save up to $2,800 per year by choosing to store all silage in bags rather than in new tower silos.

  • A farm with a 220-cow herd may save up to $10,000 per year by using bags instead of new bunkers.

    All financial comparisons depend on what assumptions are made and what numbers are used. Find out what the costs would be in your case.

Are silage bags safer?
Storing silage in bags may help reduce the conventional safety hazards associated with silage work. Because of the low storage height, there is little danger of falls from a high elevation.

Silage gas exposure can occur, but the hazard is greatly reduced because of the natural ventilation outdoors.

Thus, more widespread use of bagged silage may help to reduce the overall number of silage-related injuries. You can get more information on silage storage alternatives by contacting your county extension agent.  PD

References omitted but are available upon request at editor@progressivedairy.com

Tables omitted but are available upon request to editor@progressivedairy.com.

—From University of Wisconsin Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project website

Gunnar Josefsson, Director of Research, Orion Agricultural Lighting;

Marcia Miquelon and Larry Chapman, University of Wisconsin – Madison

See more articles like this at www.progressivedairy.co