Advice for beef farmers: Early silage cuts for better quality is always the best option
Some have already availed of the opportunity to take out first cut silage over the last week.
It is amazing how different this year is compared to last year.
There has rarely been as much silage cut this early in the season.
The weather looks like being settled over the coming week, which will allow more silage to be made sooner rather than later.
I have walked a lot of silage ground over the last 10 days, and a lot of it was fit to cut.
In many cases, it was beginning to lodge a little, and the seed head was not too far from emerging.
Silage cutting decisions
While many are still considering holding on for a big first cut of silage, the aim of producing top-quality feeding must not be ignored.
Obviously, you need a full pit to get through next winter, but you also need to consider what quality you have, and its impact on animal performance.
The amount of silage you are carrying over from last winter should also be taken into consideration when deciding when to take your cut of silage.
It might also be worth considering taking the first cut soon, in order to get the second cut growing as fast as possible.
Over previous years, many who delayed their first cut until after June 10 for bulk ended up with a poor second cut due, to the drought conditions in late June and into July.
The decision to take a first cut early may also result in you being able to take a third cut, if you require it.
This would result in optimising the amount of top quality grass ensiled per acre.
Quality always best option
In the last week, I have been testing grass for customers who are looking to take an early first cut.
The mobile NIR4 test allows me to assess the digestibility, protein, dry matter and sugar content of grass in the sward before cutting.
Sugar content and digestibility, as you would expect for early May, are excellent, with huge potential for a lot of silages with a DMD above 75.
Earlier and lighter cuts will always be better quality.
This will mean less concentrates required for next winter, while also increasing the amount of straw that could potentially be fed to dry sucklers to control condition before calving.
It is also worth noting that early cuts of young grass will have a higher crude protein percentage.
This will mean cheaper concentrates, lower in protein, will be required next winter.
The amount of nitrogen spread on silage ground earlier in the year will obviously have to be taken into consideration when deciding on your cutting date.
It may seem obvious, but well preserved silage is critical, as you can’t afford any waste.
Well preserved silage does not just happen, however.
Fertiliser volume and application date, along with the cutting time and date, determine preservation every bit as much as pit management.
Grass should, where possible, never be on the ground for more than 24 hours.
Over-wilting is not a good idea, as many learned last year.
Many dry silages in 2016 did not feed out well.
Pit management at ensiling is critical, and needs a lot of care and attention.
Filling pits too fast results in poor consolidation and more air in the pit, causing spoilage. Pits should be sealed as soon as possible, once rolled sufficiently.
Additive yes or no?
The use of an additive is also worth considering, particularly if you are ensiling young leafy material.
Additives which prevent silage from heating at feed-out will optimise the amount of silage eaten by stock, and the feed value they extract from it.
Most additives are designed to enhance the natural fermentation rate and speed up the pH drop, resulting in a more stable clamp.
Remember that an additive will keep good silage good, but it will NOT make bad silage good!
Make sure, if you are using an additive, that it is applied correctly.
It is your responsibility to monitor this in conjunction with the man picking up the silage for you.
