EC98-750 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’s System for Assessing Water Contamination Risk Worksheet 12: Silage Storage

Authors

Robert Grisso, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
DeLynn Hay, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Paul J. Jasa, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Richard K. Koelsch, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Sharon Skipton, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Wayne Woldt, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1998

Document Type

Article

Comments

© 1998, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Why should I be concerned? Silage is an important feed for livestock-based agriculture. When properly harvested and stored, silage poses little or no pollution threat, but improper handling can lead to a significant flow of silage juices (or leachate) from the silo. Leachate is an organic liquid that results from pressure in the silo or from extra water entering the silo. It is usually a problem only when silage is fresh, or just after storage. This loss of leachate represents a loss of nutrient value from the silage.