Better silage quality will help livestock farmers escape hike
On the company’s stand at the Ploughing, he said grass silage quality is generally better, and predicted that maize silage quality will be better also. As a result, concentrate feeding requirements will be reduced.
He expects increased trading of maize silage, and said there can be value for livestock feeders in beet. Also, cattle will be coming off grass much better than at the start of last winter, cows will not need as much improvement in condition, and beef cattle will finish faster.
He emphasised that farmers need to assess the quantity and quality of their winter feeding, as a first step.
Despite price rises, cereals still offer good value, according to Giggins. He believes that feed industry moves towards cheaper alternatives to cereals is not a good move, and said farmers will find that protein ingredient prices have not risen as much as grain prices.
