![]() Over the years, there have been a number of different solutions to the silage storage unit: the modern silo. In theory, the fermentation process and the silo will protect the silage from rot. Storing the silage in the low-oxygen environment of the silo encourages anaerobic microbes to ferment the forage product, but in a way that ruminants-including sheep, goats and, significantly, cattle-can still digest. But farmers put silage up fresh, so the key to long-term silage storage involves keeping oxygen levels to a minimum. When farmers make hay, the key to preservation is to ensure low moisture content and to keep the hay dry. You need a way to keep the silage from spoiling. This fact has made it possible for dairy farmers to keep cows in reliable milk production even during the winter.īut one caveat exists. They’re also responsible for one of the more important inventions in the history of modern agriculture: silage.ĭeveloped through experiments in the 1800s, silage is essentially a foliage crop-perhaps an entire corn stalk, perhaps an entire alfalfa plant, perhaps something else-that has been finely chopped and then stored while the moisture content is still high, somewhere near 60 percent.īecause of the moisture content, silage maintains a higher energy and protein level than dried forage (hay). Silos do much more than just hold dry grain or seed. And the word “silo” actually comes from the Greek word “siros,” meaning “a pit to hold grain.” Roman records indicate that pits stored grain in northern Africa. The same is true of those from ancient Greece, the Middle East, and North and South America. Indeed, remains of ancient Egyptian storehouses are still in existence today. The most famous ancient account of this idea is probably the biblical story in Genesis 41, in which Joseph advises Egypt to stockpile grain so that it may survive the seven years of predicted famine. When planning your forage programs, remember that your main objective is to "store the plant and remove it from storage in as good condition as possible." THE UPRIGHT SILO IS WITHOUT EQUAL IN ITS ABILITY TO DO THIS.F or millennia, agricultural civilizations have realized that the ability to store excess grain produced by bumper crops provides a safety buffer against lean years, or even just a long winter.Our thicker, stronger walls help silage remain at a relatively constant temperature, resisting freezing and heat damage, and resulting in less spoilage and better silage.Concrete strength, wall thickness, and steel schedules all exceed standards set by the International Silo Association, of which we are a member.The outside ladder is hot-dip galvanized and cast in the wall to make a permanent, rigid ladder.Extra large cedar doors for longer life and greater strength, with steps and door hardware protected by hot-dip galvanization.Our poured concrete chute is an integral part of the silo poured along with and tied into the wall.The steel inside the walls is protected from silage acids and weather. Tying horizontal and vertical steel together inside the concrete wall, creates tremendous strength to keep the silo round and resist storm damage.Our 6" concrete walls have 780x more heat-resisting ability than steel, and 25x more insulating power than steel.Our 6" thick solid concrete wall of 4,000 psi air-entrained concrete has a low-leak potential and is very low maintenance: no plaster needed now, or resealing in a few years.Our 6" walls are a monolithic (one piece) structure, with smooth and uniform diameter walls that help your unloader work more efficiently.Our 6" thick (horizontal and vertical) solid concrete walls are strong enough to withstand heavy loads.We would be glad to give you a free, no-obligation quote.Ĭonsider The Many Advantages of Poured Concrete Silos!!! Not sure if a new silo is right for you? Contact us. With robotic unloading and feeding systems, many farms have been able to greatly reduce their labor costs. Another thing to consider is the lower labor requirements of an upright silo. The limited spoilage and lower dry matter loss of a poured silo has helped many farms increase their efficiency. When choosing feed storage, it is important to consider the effect that feed quality has on the profits of your farm. ![]() Silos store from 100 tons to 3,000 tons or more. Poured concrete silos are the best in feed storage.
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