Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Silage is today a common feed for different animals. A general way of storing silage is in bunker silos covered with polyethylene film. The covering and uncovering is labour intensive and it is often difficult to get the silo properly sealed. Because of these reasons many American farmers leave their silos uncovered and accept the losses accompanied. One purpose of this study was therefore to examine if it sometimes can be justified to leave bunker silos uncovered. The results showed that leaving silos uncovered resulted in large dry matter losses and high pH-values and the conclusion was thus that uncovered silos are not acceptable. Besides that covering and uncovering with a plastic film is labour intensive the plastic cover has today become an environmental concern because it is difficult to recycle. Another purpose of the study was therefore to investigate some alternative edible covering materials that can come to replace the polyethylene film in the future. Many edible biodegradable coverings have been tested and the most promising are based on salt-starch, wheat protein and calcium caseinate. These showed good sealing properties and with further improvement they may replace the plastic film.