Dark brown/ black silage

[Lazy Eric]

Hi our clamp has a very dark layer in it , basically the top 4 foot. It’s got worse as I’ve got nearer the back. It’s not mouldy or particularly warm.
When the silage went in the pit it was very dry but was well sealed. It smells different, bit like tobacco if you like and same colour, does anyone know what causes this and how to prevent this next winter.
The cattle do not like it , but there is no mould in it , is it safe to feed if mixed with the normal stuff?

 

[Al R]

I get the odd bit on bales and the sheep eat it. Like a very sweet tobacco but every baling contractor I’ve asked about it doesn’t smoke so don’t know what sweet tobacco would smell like

 

[Farmer_Joe]

Like hay that’s been baled not fit enough, you get some with areas that’s heated one goes like that

 

[tr250]

Hi our clamp has a very dark layer in it , basically the top 4 foot. It’s got worse as I’ve got nearer the back. It’s not mouldy or particularly warm.
When the silage went in the pit it was very dry but was well sealed. It smells different, bit like tobacco if you like and same colour, does anyone know what causes this and how to prevent this next winter.
The cattle do not like it , but there is no mould in it , is it safe to feed if mixed with the normal stuff?

Did you sheet it straight away or roll again the following morning then sheet it? The dryer the silage the harder it is to ensile properly

 

[sticky]

I’ve had that and assumed it had reheated.

 

[jackrussell101]

What time of the year was it made?

 

[egbert]

I had a batch of round bales the same.
Checking the orientation, it is the top few inches, suggesting heat rising.
Cows love it, silage is very good stuff, so sugars presumably high

 

[davidroberts30]

cut it younger grass

 

[Lazy Eric]

Did you sheet it straight away or roll again the following morning then sheet it? The dryer the silage the harder it is to ensile properly

It was sheeted next day as contractor had buried my side sheets and were to dig out.

 

[Lazy Eric]

What time of the year was it made?

Early July, had sheep in until mid may.

 

[davidroberts30]

It was sheeted next day as contractor had buried my side sheets and were to dig out.

Was it rolled?

 

[tr250]

It was sheeted next day as contractor had buried my side sheets and were to dig out.

I think that might be the problem especially if you rolled it the next day

 

[David1968]

The heat has caramelised the sugar in the grass.

Should be ok to feed. Surprised the cattle don't like it though.

 

[M-J-G]

The heat has caramelised the sugar in the grass.

Should be ok to feed. Surprised the cattle don't like it though.

This

 

[James]

The heat has caramelised the sugar in the grass.

Should be ok to feed. Surprised the cattle don't like it though.

Yes I've seen it in some black wrapped bales. Only on the part exposed to most direct sunlight.

 

[Skintagain]

Was the last layer something different? Soil? Still might have gone tobacco but if contaminated with soil it will have gone nasty and cows don’t like it