western iowa,by Denison | MichBeef - 8/17/2017 13:49
Without weighing and testing all the feed in and out you will never know your true dry matter loss. That said I think you'd be smart to put plastic down. It may look like you've only lost 4" on top when you get to next summer but the fermentation process and the way it takes place make a big difference in dry matter loss and it's lost as a gas so you'll never see it. Plastic is cheap and side walls last forever. Our 50*150 plastic tarp cost $350 last year. It's only gotta save 10 ton of silage on a 1,200 ton pile to pay for itself.
Aw geez give the guy a break- it varys on every day how much is or isn't lost-he might not have any help-it wont be the end of the world if he doesn't cover-if it goes out as gas maybe syrup then tarp-at least syrup is something that can be done easily-the tarp needs to be on the sidewalls first-more lost there from the blocks-personally I would sell the walls and make a drive over pit-syrup then tarp-and quit buying those black plastic tarps-your losing more there then you think-$350 doesn't buy a quality tarp |
covering corn silage pit
