Silage covers protect piles from air, sunlight, and loss of moisture. The presence of oxygen in pile increases the activity of aerobic bacteria during fermentation which generates high temperatures, mold growth, production of toxins, and loss of digestible proteins.
When silage is exposed to sunlight, rising internal temperatures trigger reactions similar to extended aerobic fermentation, including a reduction in nutritive value of the silage. Inadequate moisture in silage material reduces the amount of valuable nutrients like sugars, starches, and soluble proteins in the final product.
