Better silage quality will help livestock farmers escape hike

LIVESTOCK farmers will escape the worst effects of feed price rises this winter because silage quality is better, says Gerry Giggins, beef specialist with Keenan System.

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.