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Cited by 489Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive PhysiologyAgricultural Engineering and MechanizationMycotoxins in Agriculture and Food

The aerobic stability of silage: key findings and recent developments

Wilkinson, J. M., Davies, D. R.·2013·Grass and Forage Science
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2012.00891.x
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Abstract

When silage is exposed to air on opening the silo, or after its removal from the silo, fermentation acids and other substrates are oxidized by aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds. The aerobic stability of silage is a key factor in ensuring that silage provides well‐preserved nutrients to the animal with minimal amounts of mould spores and toxins. In this paper, key findings and recent developments are reviewed, and findings of recent research are integrated in terms of four themes: (i) the most significant biochemical and microbiological factors, (ii) physical and management factors, (iii) type of additive and (iv) silo sealing. The development of yeasts and moulds during plant growth, and during field wilting or storage, and the concentration of undissociated acetic acid in silage are important microbiological and biochemical factors affecting aerobic stability. Silage density and porosity are key physical factors that affect the rate of ingress of oxygen into the silage mass during the feed‐out period. A target for potential silage aerobic stability is 7 d including time in the feed trough. To achieve this target, speed of harvest should be coordinated with packing tractor weight to achieve a minimum silage density by the time of feed‐out of 210 kg DM m−3, maximum proportional porosity of 0·4 and a rate of silage removal, which matches or exceeds the depth of air penetration into the silo. The use of additives to increase aerobic stability is advisable when there is the risk of these objectives not being met. Novel microbial approaches to solving the problem of silage aerobic deterioration are needed.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-2494.2012.00891.x

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  • Changes during the feed-out phase are equally as important as those in the closed silo from the viewpoint of preserving nutrients and maintaining good hygienic quality of the silage.

    “It is now recognized that the changes during the feed-out phase are equally as important as those in the closed silo from the viewpoint of preserving nutrients and maintaining good hygienic quality of the silage (Borreani and Tabacco, 2010; Driehuis, 2013; Wilkinson and Davies, 2013).”

    From Silage review: Factors affecting dry matter and quality losses in silages (2018) · cites this paper as Wilkinson and Davies, 2013

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Authors
Wilkinson, J. M., & Davies, D. R.
Affiliations
  • University of Nottingham (GB)
  • Silage Solutions Ltd Bwlch y Blaen Ceredigion UK
Corresponding author
Wilkinson, J. M.
ORCID
Wilkinson, J. M.
Venue
Grass and Forage Science
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-06-22
Volume
68
Issue
1
Pages
1-19
ISSN
  • 0142-5242 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2494
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2494.2012.00891.x
OpenAlex
W2006263107
Cited by
489
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 33 · 2025: 49 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 8
FWCI
30.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
Grass and Forage Science (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
Keywords
silage spoilage, aerobic bacteria, molds and yeasts, acetic acid, silage density, porosity, silage additives, silage fermentation

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