How Does Silage Spoil?

Silages start to spoil when exposed to air. Air stimulates the growth of spoilage yeasts that degrade lactic acid, which results in a rise in pH, heating, and degradation of nutrients in the silage mass.

Why should silage be covered with sheeting and mats?

When silage is not tightly covered, air and moisture can easily enter the silo and adversely affect both the ensiling process and the quality of silage during storing and feeding. This creates a great potential for excessive dry matter (DM) and nutrient losses, moldy feed and other problems.

How does silage not get mouldy?

The lack of sugars in the plant, typical of overripe or very dry forage, doesn't allow to obtain the lactic fermentation that lowers the acidity (the PH) of the silage, and therefore, acts as a preservative and inhibitor for mould formation.

Can Bad Silage Still Be Consumed by Livestock?

Mouldy feeds may cause health problems. Feeding mouldy feeds increased problems with mycotic abortions and respiratory disease. Feeding cattle mouldy feeds is also hazardous to human health such as damage to farmers lungs from breathing in mould spores.