Even a little heating costs a surprising amount of money

Rising temperatures increase the risk of overheating in the silage and at the feed fence. The consequences are much greater than you might think: a company with 100 dairy cows can lose around € 5 milk money in three months, even with a 6000 percent heating in the silage. Why is the impact so great and how can you prevent it?

Roughage that contains heating loses nutritional value. In a silage with 5% forcing, that is 650 VEM per cow per day. Forage with scalding is less palatable and so the dry matter intake also decreases. In this case it is about 2% which comes down to 250 VEM per cow per day. At 5% heating, a cow therefore ingests 900 VEM less per day. If this loss is not compensated with, for example, a kilo of extra concentrate, milk production falls by 1,9 liters per cow per day. At a milk price of € 0,35 cents, a farm with 100 dairy cows loses € 67 per day and about € 3 over a period of 6000 months. The risk of forcing on reduced udder and claw health and fertility has not yet been taken into account.

This loss of yield can be counteracted by taking a number of management measures and by using products that prevent or inhibit heating. The investments in such products are between 7 and 13 cents per cow per day.  

How do you thoroughly tackle the prevention of heating from A to Z?

Step 1. Prevent potholes from getting wet
Rainfall in the pit increases the risk of scalding. When building a new trench silo, keep in mind that you can run from east to west. This reduces the chance of rain impact.  

Step 2. Ensilage: compact well and use an silage agent
Good silage largely revolves around perfect compaction. It is especially important to compact a pit with coarse-stemmed grass. This grass contains many pipes that can hold air. Therefore chop it at 2-3 cm. While driving, the weight of the shovel or tractor must be in accordance with the tons of grass or maize that is placed on the silage every hour. A compaction roller helps enormously to keep the scalding sensitivity to a minimum.
After compaction, it is important to close and cover the silage immediately airtight.

Prevent scalding during the preservation of the silage. This can be done by using an silage agent that, in addition to preventing scalding, also ensures maximum retention of nutritional value. SiloSolve FC is an all-round silage agent for grass and maize that has proven itself in the Netherlands in recent years with silages that remain cool and fresh for a surprisingly long time, even at lower feed rates. Out independent research from Aeres Farms it has been found that with SiloSolve FC in the silage there is 21 percent less loss of dry matter. Very interesting, because with three percent less loss of dry matter you have already earned back the costs for use. The photo (image 1) shows the difference: the grass in the control tubes (first and third tube from the left) contains mould, the grass treated with SiloSolve FC (second and fourth tube from the left) is mould-free.

Step 3. Feed rate and smooth cutting surface
At a feed rate of 1,5 to 2 meters per week, it is usually good to stay ahead of the heat. If this feed speed is not achieved, it is an option to lower the silage so that the feed speed increases. In addition, the importance of a smooth cutting surface cannot be underestimated: the smoother the cutting surface, the lower the chance of overheating. Finally, avoid loose material for the silage. The photo below shows that loose silage picks start to heat quickly (red = high temperature). 

Step 4. Be critical of the feed at the feed fence
Feeding more often and smaller portions ensure that the feed stays fresh for longer at the feed fence. Feed the dairy cows twice a day. Also make sure that the feed trough is clean when fresh feed is added. When using a mixer wagon, be critical of the use of water. Adding water to a mixed ration does reduce the chance of selection, but it also increases the chance of scalding at the feed fence.

Scalding in the feed of the dry cows is an even bigger problem. These animals already eat less and if they consume even less quality and quantity due to overheating, this has consequences for the start of lactation and the development of the unborn calf. Therefore, make sure that dry cows receive fresh feed every day. If this is not possible in the implementation, consider installing a mixing pit or mixed bales and also to offer them fresh.

Step 5. Use scalding inhibitors
Scalding inhibitors have been specially developed to prevent scalding in a mixed ration. These are available in liquid and dry products and inhibit scalding at the feed fence. The liquid scalding bucket, Selko-TMR, is suitable for both dairy and dry cows. The dry scalding bucket, TMR Temperature Stable, is only suitable for dairy cows.

Would you like to know more about preventing overheating?
Do you have questions about preventing overheating in the feed pit or at the feed fence? Our specialists are happy to help you, even remotely! Please contact your specialist, account manager, your regional dealer or for customer service Ruminants.