Silage Analysis

Mowerzstuff

New Member
I'm very new to analysis of clamp silage as I've only ever been involved in making it & not feeding. Wondering if some members may care to comment on the analysis I've received from the herd manager who doesnt know how to interpret it. I think it's pretty poor as the cows aren't milking too well on it. It's all from organic permanent pasture on a fairly extensive farm it was cut on 20th may last year wilted for 12 hours & chopped with a trailed harvester.
Looking for ideas to improve things this year. Any help gratefully received. Thank you
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1689.jpg
    IMG_1689.jpg
    276.8 KB · Views: 0

Jdunn55

Member
Judging by the dry matter it looks like it was wilted and put away at the correct time imo. Protein is ok but a bit low for my liking and sugars/energy/d value etc are all low. The best way to "fix" that analysis is to reseed it with a new key containing red or white clover imo
 

HarryB97

Member
Mixed Farmer
It was wilted correctly looking at the dry matter but the protein should be up around 16 the D value in the high 60s or early 70s and the me around 11. When was any of the ground completley reseeded or over seeded? Modern varietys would make a huge difference to the quality and quantity. Depending on where you are in the country the cutting date is either about right or late.
 

pappuller

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
M6 Hard shoulder
I'm very new to analysis of clamp silage as I've only ever been involved in making it & not feeding. Wondering if some members may care to comment on the analysis I've received from the herd manager who doesnt know how to interpret it. I think it's pretty poor as the cows aren't milking too well on it. It's all from organic permanent pasture on a fairly extensive farm it was cut on 20th may last year wilted for 12 hours & chopped with a trailed harvester.
Looking for ideas to improve things this year. Any help gratefully received. Thank you
The ndf suggests plenty of stemmy material which also reflects the energy and protein low levels. Assessing the quality of the grasses would be the first thing to look at.
 
Location
cumbria
You would think for orgasmic ground, 3rd week of May would be about right.

I'd get it retested before any decisions or actions are taken.

Short term.
Look at Winter/spring management.
Bring forward cutting date if need be.

Longer term look at soils/weeds/seeds.
Introducing a rotation if needs be.
 

Bramble

Member
Looks like stuff that might have been cut on 20th June rather than 20th May.

Is it full of rushes/thistles/docks? As others have suggested reseed/oversees with better grasses if you can, probably have to be left till next autumn now
 

Sid

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South Molton
half the amount and do it twice
op wants milk not dry cow feed
Depends where you are and the year.

I left some 1st cut to bulk up because of the shortage of rain last spring.
Would sooner feed a bit more concentrate than buy round bales at £50 each as saw locally a few years ago!
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.7%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 64 34.6%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.2%
  • 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