On February 1, 2008, a truck carrying silage overturned on a road near Tulare, CA.

For those who aren’t sure what silage is, (this included me until I looked it up) it is fermented, high-moisture fodder that can be fed to ruminants (cows and sheep) or used as a biofuel feedstock for anaerobic digesters. It’s usually made from grass crops such as maize or sorghum. Sometimes it’s a mix of two crops.

Reportedly, a small car crossed into the truck’s lane and the driver drove onto the shoulder to avoid the car, causing him to lose control. The driver suffered some injuries and was transported to the hospital.

More info on Silage from Stacey S.

“My family has been making silage for many years. What it is is usually a cerial or grass crop that has been choped up into teeny tiny peices then droped into either a silo where it ferments or is placed into a bunker or on the gound, driven over by a heavy tractor to pack it down and then covered over with plastic, usually black, weighted down by dirt, old tires or other heavy items and left to ferment. After a while it is taken out and fed to usually cows (either dairy or beef.) After fermenting for a while it has a very distinctive smell. It is high enegry food for animals. ”

Stacey wasn’t specific about the “distinctive smell” but I’m going to jump to the conclusion that it isn’t pleasant.

Visalia Times-Delta