Tests show silage quality is 5%-6% below normal
According to Teagasc tests on 205 silage samples from around the country — and advisers warn there are preservation problems on individual farms.
Teagasc nutritionist Siobhan Kavanagh advised that all farmers should get their silage analysed this year, and formulate a feeding program based on the results. This will help avoid disappointing livestock performance over the winter.
Silage tests showed the average Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD) was 64.1%, five or six units down on normal years. DMD was under 60% in about a quarter of the samples, and under 55% in 8% of samples.
Ms Kavanagh said farmers should increase meal feeding by 1kg to 2.5kg per head over levels normally fed, in other years to maintain animal performance.
A Teagasc fodder survey showed that silage was made 19 days later than usual, on average, and up to two months late in some cases. The later the silage was harvested, the lower the quality, with both DMD and crude protein levels falling.
Some 37% of the farmers surveyed were short of fodder for the coming winter.
Teagasc advisers are available to assist farmers in preparing a winter feed budget and to outline the options available to address the shortages.
