What Would Your Cows like to Eat Next Winter?

Monday 16th March 2009

One of the most consistent themes at the recent ‘Four Seasons in One Day’, Cornwall Farmers showcase day at the Wadebridge Showground, was the matter of silage. We’d all like to have that crystal ball to help us make key decisions on the farm each year and none more so than in the question of making silage to ensure the best quality is produced for the winter.

“Well, the truth is there is always going to be an element of risk, because the weather alone is never stable but what we can all do is go through a series of options that will maximise the chances of getting things right ,” says Andy Hawken, Ruminant Technical Specialist at Cornwall Farmers.

“Last summer was certainly difficult terms of weather disruptions, and for many, this has reflected in forage quality and animal performance.” There were lots of ideas at the Four Seasons event concerning what to do and how Cornwall Farmers, across its Machinery, Arable and Feed & Forage divisions, can offer a total package to create the best possible silage. It makes sense now to look a few months down the line and consider some of the  problems that can occur at the time of actual feeding,” adds Mr Hawken.

With a full, grass silage clamp valued at £40-50,000 on the average dairy holding, it’s essential to look at the entire process.

“Good grass is obviously needed to make good silage, so sward quality and options for reseeding need to be considered; reseeding can increase grassland output by up to a third. Also consider cropping options to balance next winter’s rations; maize, more or less acreage?  Under plastic or not?  Spring sown cereals for wholecrops or crimped grain?  All cropping options were covered in the Four Seasons event. Prior to cutting, rolling the silage fields helps to eliminate soil contamination and will reduce the damage to machinery”.

“Fertiliser strategy is now even more crucial” continued Andy, “to ensure not only good yields, but to be cost effective utilising slurry and manures, and perhaps most importantly ensuring good protein and low ammonia silages; do you test your grass for nitrates and sugars before cutting? Fertiliser application as soon as possible after cutting is also desirable to promote re-growth.  An eight day delay will lead to a 6% yield loss.  Therefore order your fertiliser requirements early and before you cut. To improve the quality of your sward, consider weed control before cutting.

“Preparation of clamps, silos and bale sites are important,” adds Andy Hawken. “Clamps and silos should have all old silage removed and thoroughly cleaned. Bale sites should be away from trees and very exposed areas, well drained, level and devoid of sharp objects which may puncture the bales.  If practicable, use a layer of sand to create a base layer.”

”Target your silage dry matter to get the ration dry matter correct, do you use a mower conditioner? How effective is your rake?”  “When foraging, chop length is another important factor for next winter,” says Andy Hawken, “Clamp consolidation and hence fermentation is increased by short length, but rumen efficiency can be reduced, so take into account other forages and their chop length.  The use of the Penn State Particle Separator at the Four Seasons day clearly showed the benefits, but also the pitfalls of getting this wrong” explained Andy.

As soon as the grass is in the pit, sugars within the plant start to convert into acid and additives have proven benefits in making better silage with less waste, as was demonstrated by the forage samples on show at Four Seasons. The conversion is facilitated by bacteria working under anaerobic conditions, so rolling and sheeting remains vital. During filling the clamp ensure the grass is continually consolidated to remove air pockets, seal, and clamp film is now accepted as a good alternative to the traditional ‘black sheet and tyres’ to effectively prevent air entry.

“But that’s all OK” Andy continues “it’s got to be fed properly in a balanced ration, and this again demonstrates the depth of resource Cornwall Farmers offer, from shear grabs and mixer wagon choices through to rationing and feeds to optimise your carefully made silage”.

To discuss these issues and for further information from Cornwall Farmers, contact Andy Hawken on 07901 854463 or Robin Hawkey on 07770 816581 or Tom Mann on 07901 854477.