The steps to properly seal a new batch of silage depends on the materials and techniques you're using. For bunker silos, start by lining sidewalls to ensure an uninterrupted airtight seal. Starting from the rear of the bunker, as the silage is filled and packed, deploy the cover and weigh it down using sand bags, tire sidewalls, or other anchoring devices to eliminate air pockets and maximize contact with the silage material.
If you're unable to use a single panel silage cover, overlap panels by several inches to several feet, depending on your style of silo and the recommendations of your cover manufacturer. In particular, you'll need to ensure that water will flow over and away from the pile rather than seeping under the seams. Follow all safety protocols during the process, and take steps to protect the covers from damage as you deploy and again as you take them up as the batch is fed out.
