How important is it to fill the clamp quickly?

Rapid filling and sealing of the clamp is one of the most important aspects of silage management.  The longer the clamp remains open the more sugars will be wasted by respiration so they will no longer be available for fermentation.  It will also allow yeasts and moulds longer to multiply which will make the silage more likely to spoil later on opening.

Initial aerobic phase dry matter losses can be less than 1% if the clamp is filled and sealed quickly but can increase to over 7.5% in a clamp left open for 3 days.

Using a contractor will enable you to fill the clamp faster but it is important it is not filled so fast that rolling can’t keep up.