Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. September 2025 issue
      2. August 2025 issue
      3. 2025 Drills and Seeds supplement
      4. July 2025 issue
      5. June 2025 issue
      6. Cereals event guide 2025
      7. May 2025 issue
      8. April 2025 issue
      9. March 2025 issue
      10. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      11. February 2025 issue
      12. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      13. January 2025 issue
      14. December 2024 issue
      15. November 2024 issue
      16. October 2024 issue
      17. September 2024 issue
      18. August 2024 Issue
      19. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      20. July 2024 Issue
      21. Cereals Supplement
      22. June 2024 Issue
      23. May 2024 Issue
      24. April 2024 Issue
      25. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      26. March 2024 Issue
      27. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      28. February 2024 Issue
      29. January 2024 Issue
      30. December 2023
      31. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      32. November 2023
      33. October 2023
      Featured

      September 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltSeptember 1, 2025
      Recent

      September 2025 issue available now

      September 1, 2025

      August 2025 issue available now

      August 1, 2025

      2025 Drills and Seeds supplement available now

      August 1, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Health & Safety

    Dangerous gases reported from silage pits

    Vicky LewisBy Vicky LewisJune 2, 20232 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

    Farmers are being urged to check for potentially dangerous gases after reports of yellow or brown fumes coming from silage pits.

    Nitrous oxide is one of many gases produced during the harvesting and ensilling period and it can change to nitrogen oxide when it comes into contact with oxygen. The risk of nitric acid inhalation is a serious threat to people and animals.

    dangerous gases in silage pits

    Charlotte Ward, ruminant technical manager at KW Feeds said: We believe the yellow/brown gas that has sometimes been seen is likely to be nitrous oxide. If so, and it was to expose those in proximity to nitric acid, we are looking at potentially life-threatening injury to people and animals.” 

    The fumes can cause irritation of the respiratory tract and, in extreme cases, can cause a potentially fatal pulmonary oedema.

    Ms Ward said: “It is important to note that nitrous oxide forms naturally when nitrates are broken down immediately after ensiling. We suspect the higher nitrate content in silage, due to the slow cold spring, may be exacerbating the situation. These are conditions we are not used to.

    “We advise to exercise extreme caution if there is even a slight indication that this is occurring. Do not breathe in near the areas where the gas is visible, or suspected. Tell-tale signs can include silage discolouration, often turning to a bright yellow-orange colour.” 

    While the gas is heavier than air, and usually dissolves in the moisture of wet grass silage within a few days, it may still be inhaled in close proximity.

    “It is important you let the gas dissipate and not let any people or animals near it, as if it does turn into nitric acid, skin may be burned and if inhaled, lung damage can occur. Once it has dissipated, usually within a few days, there should no longer be a problem and the silage should be safe to use. However, caution should be maintained,” continued Ms Ward. “This highlights the importance of taking pre-cut samples and sending for analysis to determine nitrate levels before cutting. Likewise, it is prudent to regularly sample silage, and monitor what is in your clamp.”

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleHartpury launch Digital Studio teaching facility
    Next Article Farm of the Future award launched by the Royal Agricultural Society
    Vicky Lewis

    Read Similar Stories

    September 2025 issue available now

    September 1, 2025

    Growers urged to check stacking limits for straw as demand grows

    August 26, 2025

    August 2025 issue available now

    August 1, 2025
    Most Read Stories

    Pöttinger introduces new silage additive tank

    September 2, 2025

    Samson adds new entry-level TG slurry tanker

    September 2, 2025

    John Deere extends parts solutions

    September 2, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.