Powdered silage inoculants

Rob Holmes

Moderator
BASIS
We’ve just bought a forage wagon fitted with a powder additive applicator, and having a quick search online, I can only find a handful of powdered silage inoculants.
Does this mean that powdered additives are inferior to liquid ones?
Any recommendations for good powder inoculants.

N.B. Previously when using contractors, we used Powerstart
 

milkloss

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
Sorry, a bit off topic but do you think they do any good? I'm sure they do if you're dragging mud into the pit but we're fair weather foragers and having not used additive for the past two years can't see the benfit.
 

Great In Grass

Member
Location
Cornwall.
Sorry, a bit off topic but do you think they do any good? I'm sure they do if you're dragging mud into the pit but we're fair weather foragers and having not used additive for the past two years can't see the benfit.
I've sold inoculant since 1982 (yes, a long time ago). Three things I've found amongst others is a rapid fermentation, no heating of the clamp & increased animal intake.
 

milkloss

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
East Sussex
I've sold inoculant since 1982 (yes, a long time ago). Three things I've found amongst others is a rapid fermentation, no heating of the clamp & increased animal intake.
Fair play, perhaps we're just experts at making silage! We've reserved the idea of only using additive if it's a seriously dodgy year. Admittedly we're making mature beef cow silage though.
 

Al R

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
West Wales
Only ever used EcoSyl or Acid in any quantity, much prefer Ecosyl, ideally ULV.
I was given some powders for wholecrop as a trial but fortunately another contractor knew what rate to add it into the 40gal drums at so we could run it through the wet applicators. It wasn’t as good as the EcoSyl/EcoCool? So didn’t go on to buy any more of it.
Multicut systems with high N useage/slurry etc I find additive is a must to stop spoilage. Obviously all other parts of the clamp and process are key to good silage, as is a long sward height if possible.
 

Ribble

Member
I was told that all the bugs are in there already, and some extra sugar to give them a kick would probably be more effective. Not sure if I believe it
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.5%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 65 34.9%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.1%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 6 3.2%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,287
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top