FARM NEWS 5
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• DEC / JAN 2024
Five lessons from 2023 that could help improve grass silage in 2024
FARM NEWS 5
RIBBLE VALLEY ATV AND MOTORCYCLES
WITH challenges in the dairy sector creating a strong case for maximising milk production from homegrown forage , UK dairy farmers are being urged to heed key lessons from 2023 silage making .
According to Ecosyl silage specialist , Peter Smith of Volac , many farmers either have a very wet silage cut or a low energy , fibrous cut in clamps , or both – resulting in milk yield depressions of upwards of 1.5 litres / cow / day . Clamp slippage is also an increasing issue , he notes .
“ Learning from these and other issues offers an opportunity to respond to them in 2024 ,” Mr Smith points out . He offers the following tips :
1 . Consider an early first-cut
Farmers who took an early first-cut gained a head start in 2023 , says Mr Smith . “ Taking first-cut early , for example during April , may not produce much bulk , but it clears out old , overwintered grass leaving fresher growth for a better second-cut . Farmers who did this often had two cuts ‘ banked ’ by the time a normal first-cut was taken by the end of May .”
2 . Think about cutting more often
Linked to the above , Mr Smith says farmers who cut more often , while grass was younger and leafier , continued to benefit . “ Younger grass is more digestible , which means it ’ s higher in metabolisable energy ( ME ), a key driver for milk production . It also tends to be higher in protein .
“ Our research has also shown a silage yield improvement of 0.92 t / ha more total dry matter ( DM ) over a season by cutting more often and taking more cuts . More frequent cutting also reduces weather risks because lighter cuts are easier to wilt . It may simply be a case of moving from three to four cuts , or four to five . If one cut is compromised by the weather , it also represents a smaller proportion of the total tonnage ensiled .”
3 . Fine-tune cutting to the weather
Although grass grew well during the early and latter parts of the season , the hot , dry June caused growth to nosedive , says Mr Smith . During mid-summer , grass naturally becomes stemmier and more lignified , which reduces digestibility , he says . But June 2023 exacerbated this , which may explain the poorer silages made during this period , he believes , and the resulting dips in milk yields .
“ Consider cutting a bit earlier during prolonged sunny weather as grass is at risk of becoming excessively stemmy and lignified .
“ At the opposite end of the weather scale , we also saw fairly wet silages made during rainier months . Although not ideal , provided effluent isn ’ t going to be a problem , you might be better off ensiling cut grass slightly wetter than normal if rain isn ’ t abating , rather than leaving it in the field and risking losing more quality . The proviso is that the more water there is in silage , the bigger the fermentation that is required .”
4 . Manage clamp slippage at source
The increasingly common problem of clamp slippage often occurs in grass cut while still young and tender and when ensiled at less than 30 % DM , says Mr Smith , and in clamps loaded too high and possibly over-rolled .
“ To counter this , action needs taking at the point of making silage . Wilt to at least 30 % DM , possibly 35 % with very leafy material . Equally , don ’ t load clamps too high as this increases pressure on the lower part of the clamp . Some farmers also place a row of bales in the middle of the clamp when filling it , for extra grip against silage moving forward , which seems to help .”
5 . Remember what an additive can bring
Mr Smith says although a proven additive , such as Ecosyl 100 , is recognised for improving silage fermentation and preservation of quality and DM , there are scenarios where the case for ensiling with a proven additive becomes even stronger .
“ Grass cut younger is a prime example because it tends to be lower in sugar for the fermentation . It can also be higher in unused nitrogen , which buffers the fermentation . Shorter cutting intervals also increase the case for improving the fermentation with an additive because there ’ s less time for slurry bacteria to dissipate if applying slurry between cuts .
“ Silage made wetter is another good case for an additive , as it requires a more extensive fermentation , and is at greater risk from clostridia bacteria from soil ,” he concludes .
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