LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLKI)- As farmers across the region begin filling silos and silage bags for the coming months, agricultural safety experts are reminding producers that the fermentation process can create potentially deadly gases.
The danger can develop within hours after freshly harvested forage begins fermenting.
One farmer recalls seeing the warning signs firsthand as a young boy.
After entering the equipment room on his family's farm just days after a silo had been filled, he noticed what appeared to be a brown cloud hovering near the floor.
At the time, he did not know what he was seeing could have been deadly.
The cloud was nitrogen dioxide, sometimes described as a reddish-brown silage gas. It is produced naturally during the fermentation process and can accumulate in areas with poor ventilation.
Because the gas is heavier than ordinary air, it can settle into low areas around silos, including equipment rooms, pits and other enclosed spaces.
Opening a door or window can cause fresh air to move into the space and push the gas outward, creating a cloud that can appear to creep along the floor.
That makes enclosed areas around silos particularly dangerous during the early stages of fermentation.
There is another concern as well: nitrogen monoxide, which is colorless and odorless. Because it cannot be easily seen or smelled, people may not realize they are being exposed.
Both gases can cause serious respiratory injury and, in high concentrations, can be fatal to people and livestock.
Modern farming practices have not eliminated the danger. Silage bags, which are increasingly common on farms, can also accumulate dangerous gases during fermentation.
Farm families are urged to use caution around newly filled silos and silage storage areas. Proper ventilation can help reduce the concentration of gases, but workers should never assume an area is safe simply because it appears clear.
Children and visitors should also be kept away from potentially hazardous areas.
Silage is an important source of livestock feed and an essential part of many farming operations. But the fermentation process that preserves the feed can also create a serious hazard.
The safest approach is simple: recognize the danger, provide adequate ventilation and avoid entering enclosed spaces where silage gases may have accumulated.
Harvest season is meant to provide food for families and livestock, not put lives at risk.