The Benefits of Silostop Oxygen Barrier Silage Plastic Sheeting
In North America, Australia and northern Europe, it is common for silage to be made by creating a pile of chopped forage on the ground and covering it with plastic sheets that are held down with weights like used tires. This method allows for short conservation periods and high-quality feed.
High Oxygen Barrier
Oxygen transmission is a significant cause of silage waste and spoilage in many clamps. It has a direct impact on cost as the extra dry matter that is wasted for animal feed can result in higher costs of production. Using low oxygen transmission plastic sheeting such as the Silostop orange on black or Passion Ag oxygen barrier film can significantly reduce this dry matter loss, helping to mitigate rising feed costs and improving overall silage plastic sheeting quality.
High-quality oxygen barrier plastic is an integral part of the ensiling process as it forms a protective layer covering the silage and preventing oxygen from getting to the surface. It can help to speed up fermentation, resulting in higher yields of good quality silage that is more digestible for the livestock.
Trials at the University of Nottingham have shown that the proportion of silage judged inedible or discarded was reduced by up to 42% when HOB film is used over conventional polyethylene cover. It is an impressive figure and represents significant savings on feed costs for farmers.
Several types of silage plastic sheets are on the market, some branded and others generic. All of them claim to be the best. However, it is essential that the correct type of oxygen barrier silage film is used, and it must be fully secured over the top of the silage to prevent wind or varmints from disturbing it during the conservation period.
For example, the Silostop orange on black silage plastic film is a thin but solid and easy-to-handle sheet that stops the entry of oxygen into the grass. Combined with a close weave anti-UV protection net, it provides the best physical protection available. Alternatively, the new Passion yellow on black or Silostop Max 2 in 1 oxygen barrier films are suitable where a single sheet is preferred for easy handling. All are suitable for use with either a close weave anti-UV or a mesh silage cover and can be used in conjunction with gravel bags around the pit/bunker/pile.
Reduced Dry Matter Loss
They would be upset if a beef producer lost 20% of their herd due to spoiled silage. And they should be. Such losses occur every year in silage bunkers and piles across the country. They represent a loss of financial value and decrease the feed efficiency of the remaining forage. It reduces cattle performance and leads to lower intakes.
Several studies have shown that a high oxygen barrier film can reduce dry matter loss from uncovered silage. In one study, the researchers at Kansas State University found that uncovered silage lost up to three per cent of dry matter over two months, while a cling film covering reduced the loss to less than one per cent.
An oxygen barrier film is one of the best ways to improve silage quality and reduce dry matter loss. These films are often more expensive than a standard plastic cover, but they can pay for themselves in just a few harvests by reducing silage losses and saving on feed costs.
An additional benefit of oxygen barrier films is that they are less likely to tear or break, unlike other plastics. It makes them a safer choice for fodder, especially for farmers concerned about the risk of tearing or ripping during the packing process.
For those looking for a solution that provides both an oxygen barrier and improved silage protection, consider the O2 Barrier 2in1 Combi Film. This combination of silage plastic sheeting and vacuum film can be applied in a single step and helps to ensure a tight seal around the bunker to improve silage quality.
