Be Safe and Smart Around Silage
Tracey Erickson
South Dakota State University Extension
August 24, 2020
As summer changes over to autumn, silage harvest is on the calendar for many dairy and livestock farmers. Farmers use corn silage as a source of nutrition for their herd as it provides a high-yielding, consistent source of forage.
There are a number of safety concerns to take into account when harvesting, fermenting and storing silage. Tracey Erickson with South Dakota State University Extension has prepared guidelines for safety when working with silage. She shared Be Safe and Smart Around Silage in a recent issue of Dairy Herd Management.
Take time to read Tracey’s guidelines and put safety in place before you start your silage season.
Farm Safety Check: Silage Storage
Silage is vital to the cattle industries. The smell of silage on any cattle operation brings a sense of habitual chore time activities. However, silage bunkers and silos have unique hazards, like silo gas, dust that may contain mold, avalanches, falls, and more. During the silo fermentation process lethal gasses are produced. This is especially dangerous in confined areas like around silo rooms.
Take precaution during crop production, during ensiling, and when working with silage to keep everyone on the farm safe.
Episode 12: Farm Safety Check and Silage Safety
Dairy News and Videos from ISU
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist’s Fred Hall and Jenn Bentley are joined with Megan Schossow, and Outreach Coordinator with the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) as they discuss farm safety during the corn silage harvest season.