Dairy producer benefits from taking more frequent, higher quality cuts of grass

Carmarthenshire dairy producer explains how he has used pre-cut grass testing to help improve silage quality and milk production.

Making the decision to take a first cut of silage in April has paid dividends for Kevin Jones,
Carmarthenshire dairy producer at Talfan Farm, St Clears.

Also because of this decision he has seen significant improvements in silage quality and milk performance.

His first cut analysed well in 2020 with a metabolisable energy (ME) of 11.6MJ/kg DM, but in 2021
he managed to take his first cut on the 26 April, which had a ME of 12.1MJ/kg DM.

“In 2021 our first cut results were good all-round, we had a higher than average ME as well as just
over six tonnes an acre harvested at 34.2 percent dry matter (DM), 16.2 percent protein and 4.5 percent sugars,” he said.
“By cutting at the optimal time, we’ve been able to really boost silage quality.
“As well as higher quality, there’s been much more consistency from clamp-to-clamp.
As a result, we’re not seeing the fluctuations in performance and cows are actually eating 2.0kg DM
of forage more a day, as the younger silage has a far higher intake factor of 126g/kg,” he explains.

How to increase milk yield​

Kevin’s milking averages:

• 2021 – 9,600 litres per cow
• 2022 (predicted) – 10,374 litres per cow

“The improved silage quality has resulted in our increased predictions of milk per cow this year – an increase of 774 litres per cow,
which equates to an additional 92,800 litres across the herd.”
Kevin says what makes this increase in milk yield even better,
is that this is down to improvements in the quality of the forage, so he has not had to invest in additional concentrates.
Milk from forage has improved from 3,600 to 4,300 litres per year helping to reduce the amount of purchased feed they are using.
They plan to improve this year-to-year.
“Luckily milk prices are healthier than they’ve been for a while, but the increase is still not in line with the rise in input costs,” he adds.

Achieving consistent silage quality​

Producing consistent silage quality across the grass silage season can be particularly challenging with the UK climate,
but implementing an Opticut system, which is based on pre-cut testing, has really helped Kevin to improve this.

Pre-cut grass testing​

For the first time last year Kevin implemented the Opticut system which meant he planned to
make four cuts of silage to help improve the quality.
“We work closely with Anwen Jones on our cows’ nutrition, and she really helped us to transition into this system.
She came out to take regular pre-cut tests, so that we were confident we were cutting at the right time.
“It seemed strange taking our first cut in April last year,
but if we hadn’t cut then we’d have been very short on quality this winter,” he explains.
Anwen, who is Lallemand Animal Nutrition’s regional business manager for Wales,
says it was a good job that they bit the bullet last year and cut silage in April.
“Producers that got forage quality right last year have seen the true benefits over winter,
especially with purchased feed prices as high as they are.”
“Kevin’s farm is really well suited to growing grass and his attention to detail in
all aspects of grassland management and silage making is excellent,” Anwen continues.

Using an inoculant​

Kevin treated his 2021 silage with Magniva Platinum Grass Dry inoculant, which is specifically
designed for drier grass, as maintaining forage stability at feed out is very important and they are aiming for zero waste.

Improving milk performance and profitability​

Overall, the Jones’ keep things straightforward, staying focused on growing grass successfully and milking cows.
Kevin explains that his fertility and conception rates are good which credits to the health of the herd.
“It often goes unrecognised, but cows that have good rumen health and are performing well on their ration,
will often get back in calf much easier. Hence why we’ve concentrated on making
the best forage possible and have fed high quality raw materials for many years.
“Our aim is to ensure the rumen is working as efficiently as possible, so we get the most out of the feed we are putting into our cows.
“Due to the improved silage quality, we’ve been able to adjust the ration to help reduce purchased feed costs.”

“Following such pleasing results in the last year, I’m already working with Anwen and our contractor
to look ahead to this year’s silage season. We recognise the importance of making good quality silage,
as improving efficiencies is key with margins getting squeezed,” he explains.