Silage 2025: Wilt fast, roll well and always consider an inoculant

About a million hectares of first-cut silage will be harvested in Ireland this year. In the second of this two-part series, Thomas O'Sullivan, InTouch Feeding Specialist at Alltech, shares common pitfalls when filling the pit 

The dry matter of the crop will greatly influence the chop length required for rapid fermentation.

Rapid wilting is key to minimise excessive sugar and protein losses. The longer the wilting time, the more spoilage microorganisms will compete with lactic acid producing bacteria, leading to poorer fermentation, less stable silage and nutrient losses. 

In cutting, aim for a minimum dry matter of 30% and a 24-hour wilt. Water loss is greatest in the first two hours after cutting, so aim to leave a wide swath behind the mower, or consider tedding straight after the mower.