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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • SEPTEMBER 2019 Minimize the risk of corn silage fires
Fraser Valley bunker fires spark warnings by JACKIE PEARASE ENDERBY—AgSafeBC
urges farmers to inform themselves on the risks of corn silage fires. The organization is
working with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, BC Dairy Association, WorkSafeBC and relevant fire departments to determine the reasons behind five incidents of smouldering corn silage in the eastern Fraser Valley in September 2018. Two of those episodes
were full-scale fires resulting in the loss of structures.
Based on information gleaned so far, AgSafeBC safety advisor Tadgh O’Leary discussed how to reduce the risk of fire in corn silage at the 2019 North Okanagan Dairy Tour hosted by the Kamloops Okanagan Dairymen’s Association on August 13. O’Leary says timing is key for
producers. “It’s the first 48 hours post-harvest; that is the real critical phase for these fires, we observed,” he says. “A lot of the heat is generated at that time with fresh silage so closely monitor your bunker
this year in the first 48 hours post- harvest.”
Silage density is also important. “What we do know … packing is one
of the key features. If we get the packing right, we reduce the oxygen in the bunker,” says O’Leary. A properly dense silage pile is
packed in layers of four to six inches throughout the harvest with a weight of 800 pounds per ton of crop delivered per hour, he explains. Stressed, non- uniform, stunted or immature crops need to be packed more aggressively
FILE PHOTO
because the suboptimal condition of such crops can alter the ensiling process and associated timing. Oxygen exposure can
also be reduced by always keeping tarps and covers tight, and by taking extra attention with packing along the edges and sides to maintain good density. He says silage should
be stored in uncovered, non-flammable structures.
The silage bunker should have no available fuel sources such as plywood siding. Hay should not be used to weigh down the forage.
“Some bunkers have plywood for
food-quality issues and over time that has become eroded and dried out and that can be a fuel source,” O’Leary notes. Mixing old silage with new silage is also suspect as the dryness of the old silage could act as a fuel source. Work continues to fully determine the cause of the corn silage incidents. “The group will continue to monitor
and review new information throughout the upcoming 2019 corn harvest season,” notes O’Leary.
PERFECT SEEDBED PREPARATION IN EVERY CONDITION, EVERY FIELD, EVERY TIME LOOK TO LEMKEN
TOUR nfrom pg 15
the van Dalfsen’s barn with its three new Lely A4 milking robots. The barn has slotted floors to reduce manure build- up, two Lely walkway footbaths, two GEA tube alley scrapers using innovative cast- in-place concrete forming, and a Valmetal feed pusher. Farmers also checked out the silage defacer and block cutter on display. Neil van Dalfsen said the
dairy tour is a good way to network with other dairy farmers, share information and ideas, and speak with industry professionals. “For a farmer to open their farm up to other farmers, it is sometimes a bit of a brave thing because of how we critique each other,” adds his dad, Dan van Dalfsen. Farm Credit Canada
relationship managers Denay Lauridsen and Connor Nicklen expressed appreciation for the event because it provided a unique and fun learning opportunity. “The main reason I’m here is to learn about trends and marketing in the industry and how we can support dairy services,” says Lauridsen. “I don’t have lot of dairy customers on my books so just walking these barns and checking out all the milking parlours and robotics and everything is interesting.”
Look to LEMKEN’s Zirkon 12 for one-pass seedbed preparation in any condition. The well-thought-out details off er critical advantages, including a modular design with a larger range of available transmissions and tines. This ensures that each machine can be optimally adapted to the specifi c needs of each individual farm.
Hydraulic depth adjustment for ease of operation DUAL-Shift transmission for easy change of the direction of rotation
Contact your LEMKEN dealer today to schedule an in-fi eld demo and experience strategic tillage fi rst-hand. Screwed or quick-change tines for short set-up times
Versatile range of rollers for any working conditions
(604) 864-2273
caliberequipment.ca
(250) 938-0076
agrigem.com
@strategictill |
lemken.ca
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