Surface temperature of the exposed silo face as quick indicator of the decomposition process of maize silage

Abstract

Silage temperature and oxygen concentration are critical parameters for controlling the silage process. Anaerobic condition with lower and stable temperature is necessary for quality silage making. However, when the silo is opened or if there are any failures (e.g. at the cover or at the walls) the anaerobic environment is changed to an aerobic state. That caused intensive decomposition process allied to increase of the temperature in the problematic silage layers. The objective of the current study is to evaluation of infrared thermography technique possibilities for measurement of surface temperature of the maize silage under conditions representative of an exposed face silo, interpretation of measured values and detection of layers and areas with intensive decomposition process.