Biocell
- Thread starter Bloders
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Any opinions @Cowabunga ,what are you using these days?
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
I've used Genus Powerstart for first cut. I've got a fair bit left in the fridge. Also got enough for about 600 tons of another instant mix additive out in the shed but for the life of me I can't remember the brand just now.
There are dozens of additive brands available and they all make claims for this that and the other. There is probably a lot of money made by them. I wonder if any money is made by the end user? Having said that, I've used inoculant additives for thirty years or so, if not longer, and found them to work well. Never made a butyric silage since the early 1970's. I first started using Add-F [formic acid] bought in five gallon drums and lifted on the forager [FC80] and turned upside-down to gravity feed. Then in 205 litre drums. Then some sulphuric blends. All worked but were a hazard to handle. Then one year I made first cut in two clamps, one with Greenline acid additive [I think it was called] using a purpose built tractor front mounted barrel and hydraulic pump. The second with a dry powder granule additive through a dispenser with three outlet pipes to the pickup of the forager. Both were made in catchy weather and rather too wet. To my surprise the biological powder additive clamp was far better fermented than the one with acid applied and I've never looked back. Used various inoculants over the years and never been disappointed. Mind you, if I can get away without using any for second cut, I will. Third and fourth cut will always have additive applied.
There are dozens of additive brands available and they all make claims for this that and the other. There is probably a lot of money made by them. I wonder if any money is made by the end user? Having said that, I've used inoculant additives for thirty years or so, if not longer, and found them to work well. Never made a butyric silage since the early 1970's. I first started using Add-F [formic acid] bought in five gallon drums and lifted on the forager [FC80] and turned upside-down to gravity feed. Then in 205 litre drums. Then some sulphuric blends. All worked but were a hazard to handle. Then one year I made first cut in two clamps, one with Greenline acid additive [I think it was called] using a purpose built tractor front mounted barrel and hydraulic pump. The second with a dry powder granule additive through a dispenser with three outlet pipes to the pickup of the forager. Both were made in catchy weather and rather too wet. To my surprise the biological powder additive clamp was far better fermented than the one with acid applied and I've never looked back. Used various inoculants over the years and never been disappointed. Mind you, if I can get away without using any for second cut, I will. Third and fourth cut will always have additive applied.
im not the farmer in the family, so can you explain why you will use additive for first cut, not second cut, then you will for any subsequent cuts?
thanks
Cowabunga
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion,Wales
Typically first cut is early and high in protein and since the weather tends to be catchy possibly a bit low in sugars. The risk of a poor fermentation is higher than with second cut and it is critical that the bulky first cut is made into high quality silage. Weather tends to be more reliable for second cut and days are longer, even so if the weather is bad and insufficient wilt is possible and slurry applied after first cut, additive may be justified on second cut.
These are management decisions made on a daily basis.
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