Bunker Silo/Pile Density Study – Findings & Industry Applications
Bunker Silo/Pile Density Study – Findings & Industry Applications
Bunker Silo/Pile Density Study – Findings & Industry Applications
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Closer L k – Storage Costs<br />
Horizontal <strong>Silo</strong><br />
What’s Happening in that Cubic Foot<br />
of <strong>Bunker</strong> <strong>Silo</strong> Storage “Space”?<br />
32’W x 106’L x 10’H = 33,900 ft. 3<br />
Capital Cost structure plus share of tractors = ~$61,000.<br />
Capital Cost per ft. 3 = $1.80<br />
Annualized Capital Cost per ft. 3 (10 yr. depreciable life) = $0.18<br />
13 lbs. forage DM/ ft. 3 density @ 17.5% storage loss = 10.7 lbs./ft. 3 retained<br />
18 lbs. forage DM/ ft. 3 density @ 13.4% storage loss = 15.6 lbs./ft. 3 retained<br />
Value of 10.7 lbs./ft. 3 @ $0.05/lb.* over 33,900 ft. 3 = $18,136.00<br />
Value of 15.6 lbs./ft. 3 @ $0.05/lb.* over 33,900 ft. 3 = $26,442.00<br />
A 38% difference in packing density amplifies to a 45.8% difference in forage $<br />
value retained and fit into “space”. A $8,306.00 difference in retained forage value.<br />
Net value of forage losses due to lower density = $1271.00<br />
…but you may still need to find a home for 4.9 lbs. DM/ ft. 3 you need as feed that<br />
did not fit into the “space”. At $0.18 annualized capital cost per ft. 3 = $2300.00<br />
Wasted silo “space” costs are additive to DM losses – twice the $ value!!<br />
*Value of $35.00/ton haylage at 35% Dry Matter (DM), converted to 100% DM and expressed in pounds
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