livestock nutrition


Leading the case for self-sufficiency for more than a decade, Kelvin Cave Ltd has amassed an unrivalled knowledge of preservation and processing techniques with a comprehensive range of machinery, preservatives and ancillary products to reduce or eliminate dependence on bought-in supplies. With its UK-wide coverage by a team of experienced representatives and network of distributors, including Rickerby, the company can provide technical back-up to farmers and contractors looking to enter the home-grown arena for the first time or expand their current operation.


Of course, getting the silage preservative right is only part of the story. Storing the end product in ideal conditions will also help prevent aerobic spoilage from eating into your profits. Once a silage clamp is filled the aim must be to exclude air as quickly as possible, providing conditions in which fermentation can take place.


If the correct filling and consolidation procedures have been followed (i.e. filling in thin layers, in a wedge and compacting efficiently) most of the air present will have been excluded. However, it is impossible to get all the air out of the top layer of ensiled material, so when the clamp is covered in the usual way with traditional plastic silage sheet air is trapped beneath it. The crop and the


respire, using the trapped air, and because normal silage sheeting is slightly oxygen


This process can continue for many weeks


and as a result anaerobic conditions are not achieved. Instead, the top layer and 'shoulders' of the clamp degenerate into compost.


A.I.C figures show that of the estimated 55 million tonnes of silage made in the UK each year, up to 10% ends up as


discarded material as a result of spoilage in the clamp. Given a conservative value of £25/tonne, this equates to a staggering loss to the industry of nearly £14,000,000!


as the simplest and most cost effective


measure for minimising this waste. It is a green tinted clear plastic primary silage sheet with very low oxygen permeability. Although only 40 microns thick, it has a


high tensile strength that allows it to be walked on, but is also flexible enough to be sucked down on to the silage surface as the air beneath it is used up by respiration.


Clamp-Down on Silage Waste


This results in the creation of anaerobic


aerobic micro-organisms on it continue to conditions right to the surface of the


silage, and the


permeable they start to pull air through it. virtual elimination of top and shoulder


waste.


ClampFilmTM is more flexible than traditional black silage sheet so it can eliminate air pockets that create


aerobic spoilage within the clamp.


ClampFilmTM should be spread onto the top of the silage as soon as possible after filling, and before the side sheets are folded in. A normal silage sheet should


characteristics to ClampFilmTM have recently entered the market. If it's not green it isn't ClampFilmTM ClampFilmTM


ClampFilmTM is now widely acknowledged then be placed on top and weighted down and you may not wish to place your trust in the usual way.


in a lesser product that forms the final chapter in creating the perfect silage.


For more information please call 01458 252281 or e-mail us at sales@kelvincave.com


Kelvin Cave


We end on a cautionary note. Like all great ideas a number of copy-cat products claiming similar performance


Farming Ezine Page 14


www.farmnequine.co.uk


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