Traditional silage practice proved the best option

All 2012 grazing and winter-feed plans were severely disrupted by the weather, and farmers had to take every chance they could to avail of dry spells.

With hindsight, some farmers would have done a little better if they knew what was facing them last March.

Following a fine early spring, farmers on reasonably-good land who followed the traditional and proven practice of closing for first cut silage at the end of March came out best — even if this required some extra supplementation.