Wet conditions can significantly impact silage quality, leading to the need for sourcing food from other areas. Consequently, farms may face increased feeding costs.

Excessive moisture affects silage quality primarily through improper fermentation. In regions like India and Brazil, moisture content becomes particularly high during the rainy season. Additionally, flooding and heavy rains often result in overly wet grass, especially in Northern European countries during March and April.

Soil contamination can occur when some fields are saturated before the first cut. Ideally, grass should have 60-70% moisture; if it exceeds 70%, nutrients like nitrogen and sulfur may leach out.

Using heavy machinery on saturated fields can push soil particles into the chopped or baled grass, increasing the risk of contamination by bacteria like Clostridia. This bacterium can produce biogenic amines, which harmfully impact the silage. Additionally, it can generate butyric acid, leading to incorrect fermentation, ultimately degrading nutritional value and palatability.

Mold growth and spoilage can further reduce the feed’s energy content. Wet forage also increases food loss due to seepage. When the taste of the feed degrades, animals may eat less, resulting in increased food waste and higher farm costs. Furthermore, beneficial bacteria, which maintain lactic acid and pH balance, struggle under such conditions, leading to lower feed value.

How to Prevent or Minimize the Effect

Although farmers cannot control natural factors like excessive rain, flooding, and moisture, they can take preventive actions to minimize the impact.

Using inoculants like MAGNIVA could be a good option, as it reduces dry matter losses, improves feed value, optimizes feed intake, and lowers potential risks to animals. Ensuring airtight storage with proper sealing can also help prevent oxygen from reacting with the silage’s moisture content.

Corn silage, with an optimal moisture content of around 65%, is preferable, while other silage types may exceed 70% moisture, making them less suitable for long-term storage.

Wilting time should be adjusted according to the silage’s physical condition to reduce excess moisture.

High-moisture silage can negatively impact cow performance in milk production, meat quality, and reproductive cycles. Therefore, proper farm management, timely action, and careful decision-making regarding silage quality and storage are essential for enhancing animal health and overall farm performance.