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Sheridan, WI | Hello-
Next year I am looking to fill my small 12x40 silo with corn silage for the steers. The silo hasn't been filled since 1988, the last year my parents dairy farmed. The silo is a poured concrete style. The walls were replastered a few years before they quit dairy and are in excellent shape. Silo has a surface drive silo unloader that I have completely gone through. It is is good shape and ready for use.
I am not interested in doing bags or bunker silo or piles on the ground, so please no suggestions about those. I am well aware of that most don't use upright silos anymore and the dangers, frozen silage, etc.
Mainly interested in tips for filling and maintaining a silo this size to not have spoilage. One farmer said I should fill when the moisture is high in the corn yet, like 70%? Does corn moisture have to be on the wet side for a small diameter silo like mine vs one that is larger?
I seem to remember my parents filling in October, sometimes a garden hose with water running into the blower was used.
My Dad used to line the wooden doors with roofing tar paper on the inside of the silo to help seal air out. I plan to do this again.
Another question, will 10 steers eat enough to take enough off the top of the silage daily if a 12 foot diameter silo to reduce and prevent spoilage?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
-Jesse | |
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Filling small diameter upright silo 12x40
