Think Silage Avalanche Safety

Oct 07, 2015

With most hay and corn silage now tucked away for the winter, it’s probably a good time to remind all of those who work around bunker and pile silos that feedout faces are always subject to collapse.

Keith Bolsen, professor emeritus at Kansas State University, and his wife, Ruthie, are leading advocates for silage safety issues, especially those that involve a silage avalanche at the feedout face. They provide these rules for avoiding silage avalanche injuries and fatalities:

·Keep people and machinery away from the feedout face. This includes both at the ground level and on top of the silage pile. A rule of thumb is to not stand closer to the face than three times its height.

·Never work alone when in close proximity to the feedout face.

·Be particularly cautious when removing tires, bags and/or plastic covers that are near the feedout face.

·When removing feed, don’t undercut the face. Shave or remove feed from the top down. Face height should never be higher than the reach of the removal equipment.

·Never sample forage directly from the face; instead, sample from the loader bucket once it is a safe distance from the silage face.

·Remember, even well-packed, well-managed bunkers and piles are subject to avalanche.

Video: Wisconsin Corn and Soybean Weed Management Updates and Considerations for 2026 and Beyond

Dr. Rodrigo Werle, associate professor and extension weed scientist, UW–Madison, shares the latest updates and future considerations for corn and soybean weed management in Wisconsin. This presentation covers herbicide resistance trends in waterhemp, including newly confirmed cases of HPPD and S-metolachlor resistance, and emphasizes the importance of residual herbicides and strategic tank mixes for consistent control. Rodrigo also introduces upcoming technologies like Vyconic soybeans and new herbicide products, discusses integrated weed management strategies such as planting green with cover crops, and highlights practical recommendations for 2026 and beyond.

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