The importance of dry matter in feeding
Every additional kilogramme of feed intake can significantly increase milk yield, whilst at the same time improving feed conversion. Consistent dry matter ensures stable rumen conditions, uniform feed intake and a reliable energy supply. If, on the other hand, fluctuations occur, the actual nutrient intake changes despite the ration calculation remaining the same. The consequences are drops in performance, restless feeding behaviour and an increased risk of metabolic disorders – particularly during sensitive phases such as around calving.
Factors influencing dry matter content
In practice, the dry matter content is largely determined by the herd, the time of cutting, the weather and the processing method – and this is precisely where many farms rightly place their focus. These factors determine the initial quality of the forage as it enters the silo. However, this does not yet guarantee quality. Whether the energy content and forage structure are retained in the silo is only determined throughout the entire process chain. The key factors here are, above all, the forage crop itself, the entire ensiling process, and the distribution and compaction within the mobile silo
The foundation lies in the forage crop
A key influencing factor is already present in the field. The plant population, the composition of the crop, the correct cutting time and the weather conditions significantly determine the initial quality of the forage. The time of cutting, in particular, influences the energy and crude fibre content and thus directly affects the subsequent forage quality. At the same time, sunlight, temperature and wilting conditions determine how quickly the forage loses water and what dry matter content can actually be achieved. The foundations for high-quality silage are laid as early as this stage.
Harvesting and the silage chain
Building on this, the entire silage chain plays a crucial role. Low-loss harvesting, optimised wilting times and the correct cut length influence how well the material can be compacted later on. Cut lengths that are too long or uneven material make compaction considerably more difficult and increase the risk of air pockets.
In addition, the harvesting method also influences the subsequent compactability. Whilst a forage harvester usually delivers short-cut grass at a very high throughput, a forage loader often brings longer and more structurally diverse material into the silo – both place different demands on the compaction process.
It is precisely here that time pressure increases enormously in practice. Modern harvesting technology now delivers significantly higher throughput, meaning that large quantities of forage must be fed into the drive-in silo in the shortest possible time. If distribution and compaction cannot keep pace with this output, compaction deficits quickly arise.
Distribution and compaction in the mobile silo
The third and often underestimated factor is the actual filling of the mobile silo. It is precisely here that it is determined how much of the dry matter and energy previously produced is actually retained. Particularly with high harvest volumes and the increasing throughput of modern harvesting technology, this aspect becomes a decisive factor for success.
The key factors here are, above all, an even distribution of the material, appropriate layer thicknesses of around 25 cm, and sufficient compaction capacity. Only if the forage is laid evenly in the silo can a constant storage density be achieved across the entire silo area. Uneven layers or excessively large quantities of material make compaction considerably more difficult.
If the material is not consistently compacted, oxygen remains in the silo. This results in respiration and fermentation losses, which directly reduce the dry matter content. At the same time, uneven compaction later leads to unstable silage, post-fermentation heating and fluctuating forage quality.
This effect is particularly evident in small or heavily utilised mobile silos. Large quantities of forage must be distributed and compacted within the shortest possible time. If the compaction capacity cannot keep pace with the volume of harvest being fed in, valuable energy is lost even before the actual fermentation can fully begin.
The importance of compaction during filling
However, as the dry matter content of the crop increases, compaction becomes significantly more challenging. The material is less malleable, traps more air and rebounds more strongly. Conventional compaction methods quickly reach their limits here, leading to uneven densities and increased losses. The decisive factor here is not only the technology itself, but the overall coordination of performance throughout the harvesting chain. Particularly during intensive harvesting phases, high delivery volumes coincide with limited time slots and, often, limited silo space. It is precisely here that the rolling capacity determines whether compaction losses occur.
As a guideline: when ensiling with a forage harvester, the fresh material fed in per hour should not exceed three times the weight of the roller vehicle. With a loader wagon, this figure is as low as just twice the vehicle’s weight. If these ratios are exceeded, compaction performance drops significantly and the risk of air pockets increases.
Equally crucial is the allocation of working time at the silo. Around 20 per cent of the time should be spent distributing the material, whilst approximately 80 per cent of the time is required for the actual rolling work. It is precisely this point that is often underestimated in practice. High feed rates are of little benefit if compaction cannot keep pace.
The entire harvesting chain must also be coordinated. To ensure a uniform degree of wilting, it is important that mowing, tedding and swathing are carried out at the same rate. Only in this way can homogeneous conditions for compaction within the silo be achieved.
Furthermore, the dimensions of the mobile silo play a key role. Silo length and width directly influence distribution and compaction performance. Large feed-in volumes must be distributed and compacted significantly faster in small silos. This increases time pressure, the frequency of passes and the risk of compaction deficits.
The influence of the silage roller and silage spreader
The MAMMUT silage spreader ensures that large quantities of forage are distributed quickly, evenly and in a controlled manner across the entire silo surface. This results in homogeneous layers with an optimal layer thickness – the fundamental prerequisite for uniform compaction. Particularly when dealing with high feed rates, this even distribution prevents the build-up of material mounds and variations in compaction, which would later lead to post-heating and losses of dry matter. Building on this, the MAMMUT silage roller carries out the intensive compaction of the silage. The high surface load and mechanical action specifically displace trapped air from the material. At the same time, this results in a significantly higher and more uniform bulk density across the entire silage pile. Large quantities of forage can be processed more quickly, distributed more evenly and compacted efficiently. This preserves more dry matter in the silo and significantly improves the conditions for stable, energy-rich silage.
How the silage roller works
The silage roller does not rely solely on its weight, but on a combination of surface pressure and mechanical action. Its design generates high pressure over a small contact area, resulting in a significantly higher specific pressure than with conventional tractor tyres.
In the process, stalks are broken, the structure of the material is compacted and trapped air is reduced. Unlike a tractor, which mainly drives over the material, the Silage roller actively works the silage. This combination of pressure and movement ensures that air is displaced more quickly and sustainably, creating the conditions for stable fermentation much earlier.
It is particularly during the first few hours after ensiling that it is determined how much of the original dry matter is retained. Insufficient compaction prolongs this critical phase and leads to the loss of sugar and readily available energy. The more intensive compaction achieved with the Silage roller significantly accelerates this process, thereby ensuring that more nutrients are retained in the forage.
In practice, it is evident that a higher and more uniform storage density reduces oxygen ingress, minimises respiration and fermentation losses, and ensures that more usable dry matter is retained in the silo.
“With the standard water-filling system, the MAMMUT silage roller can be specifically adapted to the carrier vehicle and the prevailing harvesting conditions. Depending on the tractor, forage quantities and operating conditions, the roller can be ballasted appropriately. This allows the roller’s weight to be optimally tailored to the requirements of the mobile silo and ensures the best possible use of the available compaction capacity.”
– Andreas, our MAMMUT field expert
Result: 20 per cent greater compaction
Furthermore, the higher compaction performance provides a noticeable reduction in workload during the often hectic silage-making phase. Particularly with large harvest volumes, changing weather conditions and tight time constraints, the Silage roller helps to achieve the required compaction more quickly and reliably. This creates greater certainty in the workflow and helps to achieve a consistently high silage quality even under demanding conditions. At the same time, improved compaction reduces losses right from the first few hours after ensiling. Oxygen is displaced more quickly, unwanted degradation processes are limited, and a greater proportion of the harvested energy is retained in the forage. As a result, more of the originally incorporated dry matter is preserved and the energy density of the silage increases.
This benefit carries through directly to the feeding table. High-quality, energy-rich forage promotes feed intake and lays the foundation for a stable supply to the animals. The more energy available from the farm’s own forage, the better cows and fattening animals can realise their performance potential. Ultimately, success is evident where it counts: in the barn. Higher feed intake, better utilisation of the forage and a consistent energy supply lay the foundation for increased milk production, better daily weight gains and greater efficiency across the entire farm. Higher compaction therefore yields far more than just better silage – it becomes the basis for greater performance from every harvested hectare
Greater compaction pays off on the farm
The degree of compaction in the silo determines how much of the harvested dry matter actually reaches the animals as high-quality feed. Any loss in the silo means lower performance in the barn and reduced profitability for the entire farm. The targeted use of a silage roller and silage spreader ensures that the potential achieved in the field is retained in the silo.
What is brought into the silo in a single day is available throughout the year as stable, energy-rich silage. This is precisely where the difference between average and optimal silage production becomes apparent. Do you want to compact your mobile silo more effectively and get the most out of your silage? Then get in touch with us – we’ll show you how to get more dry matter into the silo, and achieve better quality and higher performance from your silage.
