SilAC calls for new harvesting approach to support quality
The Silage Advisory Centre (SilAC) is calling on farmers to review the one-size-fits-all approach to harvesting – and consider making more use of baled silage and staggered field closures to support optimum digestibility.
Dr Dave Davies, Silage Researcher at The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and the Silage Advisory Centre, maintains the common approach of closing all silage fields at the same time for a big cut to fill silage clamps runs the risk of poorer D-value silage.
“Putting all your eggs in one basket by harvesting all your forage crop at the same time can mean you are left at the mercy of the weather – and a delayed harvest resulting in lower D values which will impact on profitability,” he explains. “Alternatively, having more than one harvesting window rather than one big cut will ensure at least a proportion of silage is of good digestibility value.
“Additionally, closing fields as grass growth gets ahead of grazing requirements will help maintain the high quality of grazed grass which is of course the cheapest form of feed on grassland farms.”
Forage digestibility affects dry matter intake, which in turn drives production – studies show the difference between 65 D and 70 D silage is worth 1.25 litres of milk per cow per day, 0.2 kg live weight gain in beef cattle and 0.1 kg live weight gain in sheep.
“Although it’s clear that one big cut is required to fill a clamp effectively, farmers who want the best from their forage crop could consider using baled silage alongside the traditional clamp approach,” said Dr Davies. “Using bales will allow farmers to make at least some high quality silage from smaller land acreages and allow harvesting at times when the weather suits and the crop is at an ideal stage of maturity.”
More advice on effective silage and grassland management is available at www.silageadvice.com, the website of the Silage Advisory Centre, an industry initiative that promotes the science of silage to aid farmers’ decision-making on baled silage production, forage and grassland management.
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For more information, please contact:
Sergio Di Gesù
Tel: +322 4130657
