Tips to improve this year’s lower quality first-cut silage

First-cut silage is much less digestible and has the next fibre content material and decrease metabolisable vitality (ME) values in contrast with earlier years, evaluation of 200 samples taken from throughout the UK has proven.

However protein ranges are up, which may imply much less supplementation is required.

Cautious balancing of rations and common silage evaluation shall be key for dairy farmers trying to hold yields excessive, however feed prices low, in accordance with Mole Valley Feed Options, which carried out the evaluation.

See additionally: The best way to lower silage spoilage and on-farm plastic use with HOB movie

Mole Valley Farmers senior nutritionist Robin Hawkey says restriction of rumen fermentation is of explicit concern.

“Rations must be modified this yr if silage analyses present a low lactic acid to unstable fatty acid (VFA) ratio, as this impacts rumen operate.

“The best ratio is a minimum of 4-5, however this yr’s result’s solely 2.73, whereas final yr measured 4.43.” 

Alternatives to enhance

Regardless of probably poorer-quality silage this yr, Dr Hawkey says there are nonetheless a number of methods to extend margins.

Stay yeast

He recommends incorporating dwell yeast into the ration to help digestion of silages with excessive fibre and decrease D-values. Stay yeast can also result in increased VFA manufacturing, growing vitality from the rumen, he says.

Common testing

Month-to-month silage testing and adjustment of rations, if wanted, will even assist maximise feed effectivity, provides Dr Hawkey.

“Whereas outcomes present decrease vitality, protein ranges seem OK, that means much less supplementation of protein could also be wanted. This can be a win for farmers’ pockets and the surroundings.” 

He additionally advises testing silage if there’s a noticeable drop in manufacturing, or a change within the cows, as this might point out a shift within the silage high quality. 

Utilizing components

The usage of components in later cuts may assist enhance general fermentation, says Dr Hawkey.

“Whereas they’re historically used on earlier cuts, these first cuts might not be as milky as earlier years due to the decrease metabolisable vitality and D-values, so farmers could also be extra depending on these later cuts to assist them by means of.” 

At £1.40-£1.50/t [of silage], they’re a no brainer, he says.  

Danger administration

With many farmers more likely to open clamps earlier this yr as excessive temperatures restrict grazing availability, Dr Hawkey says they need to additionally concentrate on the mycotoxin threat that might comply with.

“Mycotoxins are typically an issue in drier silages. If farmers don’t transfer throughout the face quick sufficient, secondary fermentation and mildew formation can pose a major threat to cows.

“Mycotoxins are additionally a threat when there isn’t ample fermentation, resulting in extra unstable faces of these drier silages. Mycotoxin binders are very efficient and work rapidly, and value 7-8p a cow a day.”