| Arable
Attention to detail can add value to maize silage
As farmers look to harvest their maize crops, attention to detail will pay dividends, guaranteeing a good looking crop in
the field and resulting in a quality silage in the clamp.
M
aize is an intensive
crop to grow,”
explains Dr Simon
Pope, Crop
Protection
Manager for
Wynnstay.
“A lot of money, time and effort
goes into producing the crop, but
often growers overlook the
attention to detail that’s needed to
get maize harvested in good
condition, and ensiled correctly, to
limit nutritional losses.
“This year, maize is likely to
yield very well and be of a high
quality thanks to the good growing
weather. This doesn’t happen
every year, so growers should
make the most of this and protect
their crop in the clamp,” he adds.
“The main issues are loss es
due to aerobic spoilage and
heating of the face, which
devalues the Dry Matter (DM)
feeding values.”
Research has shown that a
10oC rise in silage temperature at
the clamp face over a three-day
period can result in a loss of DM
valued at £125/100 tonnes of 33%
DM maize silage. Or more simply
put, £1.25/tonne of silage.
“Treatment with an appropriate
silage additive can considerably
reduce this spoilage, and although
additives are considered by some
to be an unnecessary cost, they
should be seen as protection for
farmers’ investment,” explains Dr
Pope.
“This year it’s even more
important to consider as early
results are showing the potential
for high DM contents at harvest.
For example, new variety Reason
is positioned on the NIAB forage
maize list with a very early maturity
and outstanding DM yield, and this
is being reflected by the variety’s
performance in the field.”
“At a target harvest DM of 32%
and with a high yield of high ME
silage, it is important to minimise
losses of this valuable resource,”
he says.
Dr Pope suggests that by
focussing extra attention in a few
key areas, this can be achieved.
“Consolidation of the pit is key
to a successful fermentation
process, and filling in layers of six
to nine inches allows for effective
compaction when rolled to expel
as much air as possible. The less
oxygen present, the lower the risks
of losses due to aerobic spoilage.
“Alongside good clamp
Dr Simon Pope
management, the use of an
additive will help to further reduce
costly losses in feed value during
the ensiling process. So, there
should be more maize to feed out,
with higher nutritive quality,
resulting in better animal
performance,” he adds.
“Maize is sometimes seen as a
tricky crop to grow. However, as
long as close attention is given
throughout the process, farmers
shouldn’t experience losses at the
final stage, and they should end
up with a high yield of a quality
crop.”
Valuing Your Soils: New Guidance for Scottish
Farmers, Crofters & Land Managers
It can take 500 years to replace 25 mm (1 inch) of top soil, yet in the UK it is estimated that 2.9 million tonnes of soil are
eroded each year, and soil quality is diminished by poor practices. “Valuing Your Soils”, is newly published guidance,
which will help Scottish farmers, crofters and land managers protect and manage their most valuable resource.
his is important
because farmers
are under
increasing
pressure from
climatic events,
like last winter’s heavy rains, which
had dramatic effects on farm
businesses across Scotland. Poor
drainage and waterlogged fields
can encourage soil compaction
problems contributing to poor
nutrient uptake by crops and
reduced yields. Less obvious are
issues associated with poorly
drained grasslands which, for
example, can encourage parasites
leading to poor livestock nutrition
and health.
Mark Aitken, Principal Policy
Officer for the Scottish
Environment Protection Agency
(SEPA), who requested the
production of this much needed
T
www.farmingmonthly.co.uk
practical advice, said
“Protecting Scotland’s soils and
environment is now more
important than ever in the face of
current economic, climatic and
environmental challenges. The
“Valuing Your Soils” brochure
encourages good management
practices that will improve soil
quality, help maintain healthy soils
and in turn improve farm profits
and protect the environment. The
publication is also immensely
useful because it highlights the
importance of good soil structure
in protecting and improving water
quality, and also helping to reduce
flood risks.”
The new guidance (funded by
CREW (Centre of Expertise for
Waters) at the request of SEPA)
was produced with input from
Scottish farmers, researchers and
consultants from Scotland’s Rural
College and industry experts
guided by a steering group
including CREW, SEPA, industry
levy body AHDB, NFUS, Scottish
Water, SNH, QMS, Forestry
Commission Scotland and the
Scottish Government.
Brochures will be distributed at
the Royal Highland Show and
other agricultural shows across the
country. Electronic versions can be
downloaded at
http://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120603/
farming_and_water_scotland.
There is useful information
about Scotland’s agricultural soils
and practical advice outlining the
upfront financial savings and
business benefits of better soil
management and the efficient use
of resources. Action and problemspecific ‘field-sheets’ are designed
for busy farmers with limited time
for reading. The appendix contains
more detailed technical
information and research case
studies highlighting evidence from
current investigations of Scottish
farm soils.
Web links within the brochure
will help increase awareness of
good management practices,
funding opportunities and the
current regulations concerning
soils in Scotland (e.g. Good
Agricultural and Environmental
Conditions and the Diffuse
Pollution General Binding Rules).
NOTE: This document is a
replacement for the 2005 Farm
Soils Plan, produced by SAC and
was based on Getting the Most
from Your Soil”, a booklet
produced in 2012 for Welsh
livestock farmers by Meat
Promotion Wales and the former
Environment Agency Wales.
October 2016 | Farming Monthly | 13