Ag-Bag MB7010HyPac - Manual (Page 121)

6
T
HE
3M’
S OF
S
ILAGE
Appendix B
Ag-Bag International, Ltd.
MB7010 HyPac November 2003
cellulase, were chosen because they break down
the plant cell structure, making the feed more
digestible and releasing more natural plant sugars.
The results are a much faster fermentation and
more preserved nutrients. It normally takes 21 days
for feed to complete the fermentation process, but
with the use of our silage inoculant the fermentation
process is usually completed in 5 - 7 days.
Because of the decreased fermentation time, the
faster pH, and temperature reduction, not as many
nutrients are used up during the fermentation
process. The results are more preserved dry
matter, lower pH, lower temperature, higher lactic
acid production, longer bunk life and an increased
feed conversion efficiency.
Ag-Bag
® Plus! can be applied as a granular or a
liquid. Ag-Bag ® Plus! granular comes in a 50#
bucket to treat 100 tons. It is applied at ½ lb. per
ton of forage. Ag-Bag
® Plus! soluble is available in
a foil pouch to treat 50 or 100 tons. It is mixed with
water and applied as a liquid. Instructions are on
the labels.
L
ENGTH OF
C
UT
The length of cut on legumes and grasses, as a
good rule of thumb, is 3/4" long. This allows
plenty of roughage in the diet of the animals to
take care of rumen activity. Corn silage should
be ½" cut to keep oversize to a minimum.
Unless using a kernel processor. See
manufacturer’s recommendations.
A
DJUSTING THE
C
HOPPER
It’s very important that the shear bar have a good
sharp edge and adjusted up according to the
owner’s manual. Round edges cost feed quality
and dollars.
The knives should be sharpened often to insure
a good clean cut of the forage. Tearing the
material apart causes extensive cell damage to
the plant. Extra long forages do not feed well and
are left in the bunk. A set shear bar, will in most
cases allow you to go through the field one gear
higher and cut your fuel consumption
considerably. There are a lot of benefits to
consider by proper machine adjustment.
Remember – Dedication, Preparation, and
Execution.
B
AG
P
LACEMENT
As with all feed storage systems, it is very
important to have an appropriate base. The base
for a bag feed storage system should be well-
drained with a smooth surface. Suggested base
materials include – sand, cement, 4-5” of ag
lime, geoweb system, soil cement, agri fabric
with 4-5” of crushed stone, road re-grind, 50%
crushed rock and 50% rock dust, dry cement
spread with a hand spreader and watered down.
P
ACKING THE
B
AG
The mechanical packing by the bagger has given
a lot more freedom in making good silage. The
bagger can exert as much as 15,000# pressure
as the feed is being compacted. This
compaction allows the silage to have a slightly
longer chop (3/4") than could be used in pit
silage. The oxygen is literally extruded out of the
feed. This insures a good pack on the forages
every time, it’s not left to chance. The denser the
packing in the bag, the less oxygen is available
to cause heating, the faster the fermentation will
occur resulting in higher feed quality.
S
EALING THE
B
AG
As soon as you are done filling the Ag-Bag ® bag
and have moved the bagger, seal the bag
immediately so the anaerobic bacteria can begin
to work. Ag-Bag
® recommends MasterSeal ®
plastic strip. Lay the bag end out flat and seal
according to instructions. This is an effluent and
gas tight seal, and more effective than traditional
methods using baling twine or 2’ x 4’s.