SilaPactor delivers a crushing blow to energy crops

Suggitt Farm Services(link is external)provide a wide range of crop and slurry contracting services including those applicable to biogas plants as well as running their own such operation through sister company SS Agripower.

Steven Suggitt says, “The maize silage operation is all about methane gas production. The better the compaction, the better the quality of silage we produce and the more methane gas we get out of it for us and for our clients.”

Always trying to improve on the the quality and quantity of output Steven focused on what more could be achieved relating to ensiling methods and expressed interest in SilaPactor available from Kelvin Cave Ltd.

SilaPactor is a simple, innovative implement which helps farmers and contractors improve clamp silage quality. At 3 metres wide and weighing approximately 4,000kg with 11 individual roller rings, a SilaPactor can increase dry matter compaction density by up to 40% when compared to conventional tractor rolling. Better compaction means less air in the clamp, improved fermentation and better use of clamp space. Fewer passes are needed over the clamp resulting in significant time savings and lower fuel costs.

The significant improvements in compaction and reduced oxygen permeability of the silage through using SilaPactor to compact the clamp seemed impressive. Steve wondered however, if the level of investment would be justified so decided to try out SilaPactor on his own operation.

Suggitt Farm Services has now used SilaPactor on their own AD plant clamp for the last two years. Steven says, “Walking behind the SilaPactor on the silage clamp the extra firmness and therefore tighter compaction is there to be seen, producing a much better, denser crop and zero wastage on our clamp. Our clients are equally impressed and also now insist we use SilaPactor for their clamp compaction.”

SilaPactor is part of a package of products that improve ensiling methods and clamp management for energy crops, including preserving, covering and protecting the clamp.