Method for tracking feed quality of forage crops stored in horizontal structures as the crop is removed

[0014]The method that has been invented can be used to identify the feeding quality of any forage or grain crop stored in horizontal structure. Forage crops that are commonly chopped and stored in horizontal structures include whole-plant corn silage, alfalfa hay silage, grass silage, ground ear corn, forage sorghum and small grain silages. Alternatively grain crops can be ground or processed to also be stored in horizontal structures.

[0015]Horizontal structures include piles, above-ground bunkers and in-ground pits. These storage structures are typically filled to a depth between ten and thirty feet 1-1. The forage material is brought to the storage structure from various fields of origin during the filling period in loads of material ranging from three to twenty tons. The individual loads are spread into the storage structure by an implement such as a tractor with a front blade resulting in a layer for each load between two and twelve inches thick 1-2 and extending into the storage s