Farming need to improve silage quality

Many farmers were fortunate to have had some surplus silage left over for hungry stock during the recent cold weather when grass growth did not match demand.

We had lots of “surplus” silage early in the spring after a mild winter and good grass growth last year however the situation could be quite different in 2012.

Farmers are always better off to have some extra silage and avoid the potential need to purchase expensive concentrates next winter or spring. Quality silage is always saleable and livestock numbers – cattle, dairy cows and sheep – have increased significantly so we need more silage now than we did some years ago. Due to higher energy and fertilizer prices farmers need to focus more on how to improve silage quality while minimising costs at all stages.