Silage Shrink Calculator
Estimate silage shrink percentage and storage losses from harvest to feedout.
Inputs
How It Works
Shrink (%) =
[(Harvested − Fed) ÷ Harvested] × 100
Shrink includes fermentation loss, spoilage, storage loss, and feedout waste.
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FAQ
What is normal silage shrink?
Well-managed bunkers typically experience 8–15% shrink. Poor packing or covering can increase losses above 20%.
What causes shrink?
Fermentation loss, oxygen exposure, poor packing density, improper covering, and feedout waste all contribute to shrink.
Can shrink be reduced?
Yes. Proper packing, covering, moisture management, and consistent feedout rates help minimize silage losses.
Understanding Silage Shrink
Silage shrink represents the loss of dry matter from harvest through storage and feedout. These losses reduce available feed and directly impact profitability.
Shrink occurs due to respiration, fermentation gases, spoilage from oxygen exposure, and physical feedout waste. Higher shrink percentages mean less usable feed per harvested ton.
Monitoring shrink helps producers evaluate storage management practices and identify opportunities to improve packing density, bunker covering, and feedout strategies.