5.1 Sector Descriptions and Overview

Agricultural silage is fermented cattle feed made from chopped forage like corn or sorghum. Corn silage is a high energy forage that is readily consumed by cattle, and it is a major component of dairy and beef cattle diets in the US. VOCs are formed during silage fermentation and can volatilize into the atmosphere. VOC emissions occur during storage, mixing and feeding processes. During storage, emissions occur when a silage stack, bunker silo, or silage bag is opened, and silage is removed. During mixing, emissions occur from the exposed surface of a mixing wagon when the silage is mixed with other feed components. During feeding, emissions occur from the exposed silage in a feed bunk or feed lane. The only pollutants that are inventoried for this sector are VOC and VOC HAPs. Table 5.1 shows the SCCs assigned to various ag silage processes; SCC level 1, 2, and 3 descriptions are “Miscellaneous; Agricultural Crop Usage; Agricultural Silage” for all SCCs.

Table 5.1: Source Classification Codes used in the agricultural silage sector.

SCC	SCC Level 4 Description	SCC Short Name
2802004001	Storage	Ag Silage – Storage
2802004002	Mixing	Ag Silage – Mixing
2802004003	Feeding	Ag Silage - Feeding