Several factors can contribute to wet silage:

• Weather conditions:
  Often, rain before or during harvest is the main reason for excessive moisture in silage.
• Autumn silage:
  Due to weather conditions, there is often a lack of sugar in the raw material, and wilting is also difficult because nights are very humid.
• Late mowing:
  If grass is cut too late, it often has a lower dry matter content, which increases moisture in the silo.

Wet forage material often carries a lot of soil. This is dangerous because protein-degrading and toxin-forming bacteria (Clostridia) can enter the silo this way. This leads to high nutrient losses and greatly increases the risk of a faulty fermentation with butyric acid formation. Feed quality drops significantly, up to complete unsuitability for feeding.

Help through specially developed silage additives! —
SiloSolve^® MC

SiloSolve^® MC is a silage additive that strengthens and accelerates fermentation. Through forced and rapid production of lactic acid, SiloSolve^® MC protects against protein breakdown, reduces the formation of ammonia and butyric acid, and significantly lowers dry matter losses. Clostridia are suppressed, and the feed value of the silage is preserved.

How does SiloSolve® MC work in wet silage?

• Improved fermentation:
  The unique combination of three lactic acid bacteria in SiloSolve^® MC leads to accelerated fermentation. The growth of spoilage bacteria is limited, and nutrients and dry matter are preserved. SiloSolve^® MC reduces dry matter losses by up to 55% compared to untreated, medium to difficult-to-ferment silages.
• Higher nutrient preservation:
  Ammonia is a sign of protein breakdown and can reduce feed intake in dairy cows. In high-quality crops such as alfalfa and grass-legume mixtures, SiloSolve^® MC reduces ammonia levels by up to 50% and improves protein preservation by up to 5% compared to untreated silage. The result: higher-quality silage with better feed acceptance.
• Secured feed quality:
  With SiloSolve® MC, even difficult, wet material can still become acceptable silage that is readily consumed.

Tips for handling wet silage

In addition to using SiloSolve® MC the following should be considered if wilting is not sufficient and dry matter content is expected to be clearly below 30%:

• Work cleanly:
  To minimize soil contamination, mower and machinery must be adjusted so they do not work below the grass sward.
• Chopping/cutting length:
  Choose a moderate to longer setting to reduce effluent formation.
• General grassland management:
  Reduce weeds and infestation from moles or voles. High crude protein and crude ash contents slow down pH reduction.

Conclusion:

Wet silage can work well and be readily eaten if the right measures are taken.

With SiloSolve^® MC, you can control the fermentation process even under difficult weather conditions, minimize losses, and produce high-quality silage for your animals. Try it out and ensure your next cut is perfect despite wet conditions!