What factors will help achieve a good fermentation?

• Use a high quality sward and frequent cutting at an early stage of growth.
• High dry matter content – less sugars are required to achieve a stable fermentation.
• Adequate sugar in the crop – enough to achieve a stable fermentation.
• Appropriate chop length – drier material requires a shorter crop for good compaction.
• Rapid clamp filling – ideally clamps should be sheeted every night and, if filling is going to take longer than 2 days, it is essential.
• Correct compaction – the drier the material the more important the rolling and sealing to exclude air.
• Application of a proven inoculant – this applies high numbers of specially selected bacteria to drive the fermentation