double TROUBLE

Different roles within a silage crew demand different skills and experience. Obviously, the chopper driver rates pretty highly, as they should have the most experience and are operating an expensive piece of machinery. Tractor and bin drivers can be less experienced but still have an important role to play in order to avoid damage to equipment and the landowner’s property.

Another key role is the mower operator – the first to the paddock and first to find any obstacles that may cause grief to valuable gear. If the mower is out of action, the whole process comes to a grinding halt.

The stack man is also key. Without a well-packed pit of silage, the quality of conserved feed is going to be poor, making the rest of the process somewhat a waste of time. And then, of course, there’s the person operating the rake, who is vital to an overall efficient job. An experienced person on the rake