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Structures Bunker silos or pit structures. These structures have become the standard of the industry. The grain is rolled or ground into the silo. The main advantages are low cost per unit and fast filling. The grain is processed and ready for feeding each day. However there are many pitfalls, including the need of proper covering, fast covering, inadequate sidewalls, and good drainage away from the silos. Upright open top silos. Whole kernel high moisture corn can be stored in upright silos. A top unloading system is used for removal. The corn is then crushed with a crimping or roller mill. This is a successful system. The disadvantage of the system is a high-energy cost for filling and removal. An advantage is a modest cost of the structure compared to some oxygen-limited systems. Covering the corn can be achieved with a lay of silage. Many of theses systems are now idle and have been replaced by bunker silos. Oxygen limited structures. These include Harvestor systems and concrete structures. These systems are bottom loading. The advantage is minimum spoilage and minimum energy cost of unloading. The disadvantages are cost per unit of storage, slowness of filling/unloading, and maintenance cost of the unloading machinery. Moisture Addition For corn stored after being cracked or hammer milled, we prefer a moisture content of 28 to 32% moisture. Our experience is that the higher moisture of 30 to 32% adds to the feed efficiency compared to below 26. I have seen corn stored in bunkers as low as 22% moisture. Adding moisture is tricky. When raising moisture 1 point, you must add 1.5 points for every point, and that does not account for any loss from evaporation. Processing Whole high moisture corn. My partner, John Thornton, and I prefer that whole high moisture corn be ground through a roller mill and each kernel split at least in two pieces. We believe that the finer the processing, the better the feed efficiency. Cracked high moisture corn. This is a processed with a roller mill with a differential on one roll, which gives some grinding action. My personal opinion is that 4 corrugations per inch are not fine enough. The processing is slower with corrugations of 6 or 8 per inch. Fines are needed to help exclude the air when packing. The new modern rolling equipment results in a consistent product and fast filling of the bunker silos. Tub ground high moisture corn. This method allows for a successful method for fast filling and fine particles to pack tight. A good pack excludes the air for better preservation. With wetter high moisture corn, the fine grind increases the fermentation and causes the soluble protein to increase. This then may require a different supplementation program with less non-protein nitrogten (NPN) being fed. Packing the Mass The center portion is easy to pack. The sides above the bunker wall are difficult to pack and may be dangerous. The solution is to not fill the bunker so full that a danger is created. Converting Bunkers We have seen some disastrous mistakes resulting in considerable feed loss. Proper covering is a must. Planning ahead is essential. Have the plastic and material for holding the plastic in place before the filling starts. One of the problems we have seen is not having adequate manpower to do the job. The top of the silo is easy to seal. Dirt or wet "lumpy" alfalfa silage works as well as tires. Steep sides are difficult to pack and cover. Using old tires is the tried and true method for holding the plastic cover on steep sides. Commercial molasses based products can be used on a flat or gentle curved top of a bunker silo. These work well and the cover has a feeding value. Labor is saved since the cover is sprayed onto the bunker. |
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