With a density of 925 kg per cubic metre, New C Traffordgold handles easily and stores well as long as it is managed properly. Failure to do so will encourage mould growth, leading to a loss of palatability and nutritional value. Whether fed fresh or ensiled, like all moist feeds, it is essential to exclude all air from the silo to store the product successfully. The following recommendations should be followed:

 

New C Traffordgold should be stored on a clean, dry concrete base in a temporary or permanent bunker (these are easily made from big bales lined with plastic sheets). After tipping allow product to cool down for 24 hours before sheeting, then exclude as much air as possible - this should be done by compressing the pile by means of tractor-mounted bucket, hand shovel, or be well trodden by foot. To prevent the ingress of air that would otherwise encourage the growth of spoilage organisms C Traffordgold should be covered with a clean good quality plastic sheet and evenly weighted down with Secure Covers, gravel bags or straw bales (tyres are not ideal).

 

 

Periodic checks should be made to ensure that the sheeting has not moved and spoilage isn't occurring. Always leave the face un-sheeted when feeding out commences except when heavy rain is anticipated. If long-term storage is practicable and a dedicated clamp is available, the ensiling of loads in the summer for winter (the feed is produced year-round) feeding can provide additional financial benefits. As with silages, it should be well compacted and double sheeted, using clean, evenly weighted Secure Sheets, Silostop Plastic or good quality black plastic sheets.

 

 

Secure Sheets and Silostop Plastic does not allow oxygen to pass through unlike most black plastic used on farm, for this reason it gives a better seal and hence better preservation. KW can provide packs designed to cover feed loads - contact us for more details.

 

 

New C Traffordgold is ideal for clamping on its own, or layered with grass, maize or wholecrop cereal silages. However, caution should be taken when considering ensiling at the base of a forage clamp, especially with wet silages, as the effluent from the wet silages may seep to the base making the clamp unstable. It may be more practical to produce banks of New C Traffordgold at the side of the clamp with the silage down the middle. This will exert a smaller sideways than downwards pressure. Alternatively, clamp as a sandwich layer between cuts in the same clamp, or in thin wafer like layers throughout one clamp.

Please contact KW if you would like further, more detailed information on the handling and storage of moist feeds. Alternatively, request a KW Alternative Feeds Handbook.