Silage analysis results

[CJay]

Got some first and second cut silage test results. I’m reasonably happy with the results for our old lays.

I still wouldnt be totally up to speed with the interpretation of the results, so if anyone had and comments to add on their thoughts on the results I would be appreciated.

 

[GTB]

@Rhun is the resident silage guru

 

[CJay]

@Rhun is the resident silage guru

Hopefully he’ll turn up and run his eye over it [emoji1303]

 

[Rhun]

Hi @CJay
First and probably last time i'm called a guru!
I'll try to be brief with a quick interpretation to start. Your 1st and 2nd cuts are very similar in terms of quality and fermentation. The 1st cut is slightly wetter than 2nd and this reflects in the intake potential. As they are bales, you could go with a slightly longer wilt for a higher DM which will increase intake. You don't mention the class of stock you feed though.
The protein value is high when compared with the ME. Both of these will drop as the grass matures and usually you would not see protein over 13-14% when the ME is 10. Do you have a lot of clover in your swards? or how much N do you use?
Ash is slightly high. With older leys sometimes there's a tendency to cut a bit low which may lead to some soil contamination.

In terms of the fermentation, what we aim for is for desirable bacteria to outnumber undesirables and rapidly convert sugar to acid (preferably lactic acid) and lowering the pH. the quicker this pH drop occurs the better the preservation.
On the fermentation aspects, both silages are quite similar. The pH is higher than expected at that DM and it would be good to see more lactic acid compared to VFA (VFA's are the less desirable acids- including acetic and butyric that will reduce intake). One possibility is that sugars were on the low side in your grass at harvest, leading to a slower fermentation.

Forgive me if you feel im being too critical. You have some good stuff there made during a difficult season. Lets hope for a good one this year!

https://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/non_umbraco/download.aspx?media=12744 I hope this link will work. It should take you to a pdf that explains the different analysis parameters

Rhun

 

[cozzie]

I got analysis back for a pit over the last few days and just a bit stumped on a low FIM intake figure.
DMD 77%, protein 13, Ph 3.6, 25% DM. ME 11.6. Ammonia is also low

FIM intake is only 94. Could anyone give a reason for such a low result for pretty decent silage

 

[CJay]

Hi @CJay
First and probably last time i'm called a guru!
I'll try to be brief with a quick interpretation to start. Your 1st and 2nd cuts are very similar in terms of quality and fermentation. The 1st cut is slightly wetter than 2nd and this reflects in the intake potential. As they are bales, you could go with a slightly longer wilt for a higher DM which will increase intake. You don't mention the class of stock you feed though.
The protein value is high when compared with the ME. Both of these will drop as the grass matures and usually you would not see protein over 13-14% when the ME is 10. Do you have a lot of clover in your swards? or how much N do you use?
Ash is slightly high. With older leys sometimes there's a tendency to cut a bit low which may lead to some soil contamination.

In terms of the fermentation, what we aim for is for desirable bacteria to outnumber undesirables and rapidly convert sugar to acid (preferably lactic acid) and lowering the pH. the quicker this pH drop occurs the better the preservation.
On the fermentation aspects, both silages are quite similar. The pH is higher than expected at that DM and it would be good to see more lactic acid compared to VFA (VFA's are the less desirable acids- including acetic and butyric that will reduce intake). One possibility is that sugars were on the low side in your grass at harvest, leading to a slower fermentation.

Forgive me if you feel im being too critical. You have some good stuff there made during a difficult season. Lets hope for a good one this year!

https://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/non_umbraco/download.aspx?media=12744 I hope this link will work. It should take you to a pdf that explains the different analysis parameters

Rhun

Thank you very much for the reply. I don’t think your being critical at all.

The grass is for sheep, here’s a link to it being baled so it would give you an idea of conditions which where pretty good at the time

It was mowed on the highest skid on a JD 1355 to try and increase intakes and reduce contamination.

Could you give me some recommendations to try and improve the quality my silage in the future?

Thanks

 

[Rhun]

Hi @cozzie
The slightly low DM and low pH will result in low intake potential figure. As with Cjay, i would suggest wilting to a higher DM if your system will allow it. Rapidly wilting to 30% DM will increase intake and production. A higher DM will also lead to a higher pH.

 

[Rhun]

Hi @CJay
From your video, i think you bale straight from the mower swath, but we dont know whats the length of your wilt. Tedding will increse wilting rates and reduce the time the grass lies in the field. I would guess that in places, the underside of the swaths will still be quite wet even though top in crisp. This wet underside in close contact with the soil will harbour a lot of undesirable microbes that will result in undesirable fermentation pathway.
My other suggestion (but you may already do this) is 6 layers of film - typically 24 revolutions of you Mchale wrapper rather than 16 (but check this on site with your bale size). You will be surprise how much air passes in and out of a bale, and using 6 layers is an additional barrier to improve fermentation and reduce losses - and IS cost effective.
Rhun

 

[holywell farmer]

Thank you very much for the reply. I don’t think your being critical at all.

The grass is for sheep, here’s a link to it being baled so it would give you an idea of conditions which where pretty good at the time

It was mowed on the highest skid on a JD 1355 to try and increase intakes and reduce contamination.

Could you give me some recommendations to try and improve the quality my silage in the future?

Thanks

He has loads of clips on YouTube

 

[CJay]

Hi @CJay
From your video, i think you bale straight from the mower swath, but we dont know whats the length of your wilt. Tedding will increse wilting rates and reduce the time the grass lies in the field. I would guess that in places, the underside of the swaths will still be quite wet even though top in crisp. This wet underside in close contact with the soil will harbour a lot of undesirable microbes that will result in undesirable fermentation pathway.
My other suggestion (but you may already do this) is 6 layers of film - typically 24 revolutions of you Mchale wrapper rather than 16 (but check this on site with your bale size). You will be surprise how much air passes in and out of a bale, and using 6 layers is an additional barrier to improve fermentation and reduce losses - and IS cost effective.
Rhun

The wilt would be 24hrs and Your totally correct the grass would be dry at the top and wet at the bottom before baling. I will ted the grass out now before rowing and baling. Stuff usually gets 6 layers here and I agree it’s worth it.