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Prevent mold and scalding in your maize silage
Corn has been an important part of livestock rations since the 70s. Maize is a healthy feed and contains a lot of (glucogenic) energy, especially from the grain, for the production of meat and milk. To guarantee the quality of the maize silage during the feeding period, it is important to keep it free from scalding and mould.
During the growing season, much attention is paid to the cultivation of maize. Rightly so, but the period in which the maize is stored and fed after the harvest should not be forgotten either. This is because heating and mold formation is lurking. Previous studies have shown that losses of nutritional value can be as high as 3% per day. In addition, because the product becomes less palatable, the absorption can decrease by 10% – 20%.
An important cause of overheating and mold formation is air entry during the feeding period. A well-preserved maize silage is realized under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions at a stable and low pH because such conditions are unfavorable for the growth of most fungi. However, when these conditions are disturbed, this can give rise to the growth of unwanted fungi and other micro-organisms.
The most common molds in corn silage are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Monascus en Byssochlamys, which begin to grow when the pit is exposed to air. The presence of fungi in the maize silage can give rise to mycotoxins. The presence of mycotoxins can result in various disease symptoms. For example, a disturbance of rumen activity, mastitis and the like can occur. In the case of dairy cattle, this generally means reduced animal production and poorer animal health. Specifically, this means a lower milk production, a higher cell count and, moreover, possible transfer of mycotoxins and/or metabolites to the milk. This in turn implies economic losses, as well as a threat to public health.
Problems with butyric acid from corn silage
It is well known that problems with too high a number of butyric acid traces in the milk as a result of feeding grass silage. However, maize silage can also form high numbers of butyric acid bacteria after air entry, especially in the outer layer. Preventing quality problems starts with ensiling the maize. 'Concrete-proof' driving, whereby as much air as possible is expelled is the credo. Preferably in a silo where the maize is stored up to just above the edge of the silo makes that the edges can also be hit well. An additive for treatment of the product during chopping or as a top layer treatment provides even more certainty of successful preservation. Finally, it is strongly recommended to work with a ground cover of at least 10 centimeters.
Smooth cutting surfaces and sufficient feed speed
When removing maize, it is desirable to do this with a machine that leaves smooth cutting edges, so that the ingress of air and thus the formation of scalding and mold is avoided as much as possible. In addition, maize stored in a silo with smooth walls and substrate is much easier and cleaner to remove. This promotes job satisfaction and reduces the risk of contamination of the feed. It is also very important, especially in the summer period, to achieve sufficient feeding speed. In the winter months a feed speed of at least 1 meter is desired, while in the summer this should be at least 1,5 meters. This may mean that in practice two separate maize silages of different height and width must be chosen to achieve this feed rate.
The animals 'tell' it when the feed materials are of sufficient quality to perform. An animal that is optimally fed is able to realize high productions in addition to the energy required for maintenance, without this being at the expense of animal health. Corn, which has been properly stored and fed, is quite capable of supplying this.
Would you like more information to maintain the quality of your maize silage? Please contact your regional KWS advisor.
