Comparison of methods for determining the density of grass silage

Authors

• Roy Latsch Agroscope Reckenholz-Taenikon Research Station ART
• Joachim Sauter Agroscope Reckenholz-Taenikon Research Station ART

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.6700

Keywords:

grass silage, bulk density, measurement methods, drilling cylinders, block cutter

Abstract

In practice the only way to determine the bulk density of grass silage is to measure and weigh silage blocks. This study was carried out to compare this variant with four other measuring methods. "Big blocks" are inherently relatively heterogeneous and hence cannot be used for the fast, precise determination of density. "Small blocks" represent density well, but their handling makes them unsuitable for quick sampling. The three measuring methods - " drilling jig", "inclined drilling cylinder" and "vertical drilling cylinder" - gave comparable results. The "inclined drilling cylinder" was identified as the preferred variant on the basis of results and manageability.