how long can you leave silage before covering

GERMAN ROCKS

Playing with the idea of getting my own wagon for silage this year. How long can you leave the pit open before covering. For example if it took me 4 days to finish first cut and covered it then would there be any problem? Each day new silage would be thrown on top of the old silage.

Muckit

Too long. 2 days, 3 days max is recommended by Teagasc. Cover must go on after each day. What you think you'll save in contractor charges, you'll lose in dmd losses.

cute geoge

I would say getting 4 fine days in a row might be your biggest problem .Would you have a second tractor mowing far in front ???
Tell what type of wagon and what output per day expected

GERMAN ROCKS

I suppose I'm using 4 days as a safe option. Would be hoping to get it all done in 2 days but counting for a break or two and a few other things to slow up the operation.

Would new silage going on top of the stuff cut the day before now make any difference?

The part time boy

Father used to tell me about a neighbour in the 60's that used to take a week to cut the sillage !

queueeye

GERMAN ROCKS wrote: »

I suppose I'm using 4 days as a safe option. Would be hoping to get it all done in 2 days but counting for a break or two and a few other things to slow up the operation.

Would new silage going on top of the stuff cut the day before now make any difference?

If it's well packed and rolled a the end of each day it'll be fine. New stuff on top of the earlier will make no difference.
Left one of the pits here for 2 days without covering it, was grand once it was sealed up with plenty of weight.

Mooooo

The part time boy wrote: »

Father used to tell me about a neighbour in the 60's that used to take a week to cut the sillage !

Common enough back then I'd say

Sam Kade

The part time boy wrote: »

Father used to tell me about a neighbour in the 60's that used to take a week to cut the sillage !

We often spent a fortnight cutting silage if the weather was bad, only covered it if the day was too wet for cutting silage was always perfect.

Bullocks

We do our own silage here as well and it could go the 4 days from start to finish before covering and it never seems to do any harm . It would be well packed all the time

pms7

Better option I think, is stagger your cut, do half , then rest week later.(Obviously covering pit properly in between) Better silage quality and easier grass management as after grass in early. Wagon here too, just cut what pick up in a day. Silage ground is generally closed in rotation anyway, so just pick the fields that are ready first.

Bullocks

pms7 wrote: »

Better option I think, is stagger your cut, do half , then rest week later.(Obviously covering pit properly in between) Better silage quality and easier grass management as after grass in early. Wagon here too, just cut what pick up in a day. Silage ground is generally closed in rotation anyway, so just pick the fields that are ready first.

Have you help covering and uncovering ?

pms7

Bullocks wrote: »

Have you help covering and uncovering ?

Usually yes,also tyre mats great, nearly a must if opening and closing pits

ganmo

cute geoge wrote: »

I would say getting 4 fine days in a row might be your biggest problem .Would you have a second tractor mowing far in front ???
Tell what type of wagon and what output per day expected

I know of a farm that does their own silage with a neighbour on the pit.
Mowed, and raked by one person another on the wagon. They averaged 40 acres a day

Bullocks

pms7 wrote: »

Usually yes,also tyre mats great, nearly a must if opening and closing pits

It would be great to add to the pit a few times like that but I just couldnt face the tyres

blue5000

I'm showing my age now, I visited a Dutch farm in the 80's, their silage was all little pits made on a big slab with a wagon. The Dutch wouldn't have much waste as they usually get good weather in the summer. I reckon it would be cheaper than wraps anyway.

GR, who and what you have on the pit would be important.

st1979

Bullocks wrote:

It would be great to add to the pit a few times like that but I just couldnt face the tyres

One of the parts I hated about doing my own silage with wagon. It's such a low labour system 2 people can work the system. But covering a pit is not fun with just 2 and sometimes be just me.

Bullocks

st1979 wrote: »

One of the parts I hated about doing my own silage with wagon. It's such a low labour system 2 people can work the system. But covering a pit is not fun with just 2 and sometimes be just me.

It wouldnt be too bad except the boss here insists on truck tyres all in straight lines across the pit , doesnt know how everybody elses doesnt rot with the car tyres . The front of the pit gets two rows of truck rims and tyres :rolleyes: