Chicory in silage

[onthehoof]

Apparently it's not good as the stems puncture the wrap, anyone tried it?

 

[Jdunn55]

Apparently it's not good as the stems puncture the wrap, anyone tried it?

Yep and no issues as yet. This was stuff that we didn't grow and it was left until the end of July for 1st cut so plenty of stem on the chicory.
I did chop the bales though- not sure if that made a difference or not!
If I was drilling silage ground into a herbal ley though I'd be leaving it out just in case, however if a grazing field got ahead of the cows and it happened to be in there I wouldn't be scared of it either

 

[Dog Bowl]

I think if you want to ensile chicory it is best suited to a mulitcut system where the plants won't have a chance to go stemmy and remain leafy and more palatable.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

I think if you want to ensile chicory it is best suited to a mulitcut system where the plants won't have a chance to go stemmy and remain leafy and more palatable.

Yes, an early cut should be fine, it doesn't go twiggy straight away

 

[David.]

Have had it in soft Claas bales, and had to spend time pulling stalks out of every other bale, else yes, stalks will wreck the wrap.
As said, *may* be better with chopper baler.