Forage & Silage

After a wet winter, increased wheel ruts in fields and delayed slurry applications, there is an increased risk of soil and slurry contamination in first-cut grass silage, Volac has warned farmers.

Correct varietal choice is the first step towards achieving a successful maize harvest. Andrew Cook of seed breeder, KWS, offers some advice on narrowing down the options.

Entries are now open for the 22nd annual AgriScot silage competition, a prestigious event highlighting the importance of quality silage production, particularly at a time when rising feed and fertiliser costs are putting pressure on farm businesses.

With mixed silage quality experienced this year, dairy farmers are being encouraged to start planning for winter feeding early to ensure consistency across rations and achieve optimum milk yields.

As we head into the colder months, Farmers Guide offers three top tips to prepare for housing cattle this season – from building maintenance and farm safety, to animal health and nutrition.

Understanding forage quality will be key to making the most of this year’s silage stocks, and farmers will need to think carefully about balancing diets with appropriate supplements to increase forage intakes and digestibility in the rumen, advised Dr Liz Homer of Trouw Nutrition.

Dairy farmers are being urged to make the most of the recent grass growth to produce good quality third and fourth cut silages.

A timely appraisal of forage stocks now could pay dividends this winter, with experts predicting farmers could battle severe shortages in the housing season following a wet spring and mixed summer.

Home-grown concentrates such as crimped grain are a cost-effective way of balancing low energy and nutrient levels in first cut silage that was harvested later this season as a result of wet weather, Lientjie Colahan from Lallemand explained.

Wynnstay’s new Forage4Profit campaign is aimed at helping dairy farmers maximise milk from forage and cut feed costs by improving the quality of homegrown forage, which can also help reduce farms’ environmental footprint.

A strategic management plan ahead of first cut silage will help farmers make the most of the valuable low-cost crop.

Farmers are being urged not to compromise on safety in the rush for the first silage cut of the season.