Silaging overseeded chicory

[hally]

A few of the local "advisors" are telling dairy farmers not to overseed silage fields with chicory in the mix.
Most of these guys obviously haven't grown any themselves and gather most of their information from Google but has anyone had issues with overseeded chicory in their own silage causing problems?
I have never come across any issue myself, despite growing it here on an upland farm and having numerous customers growing herbal leys. I have heard all the "puncturing bale wrap" stories but surely this will not be possible in a multi cut dairy system with grass being mowed at th correct stage.
Any feedback much appreciated.

 

[sidjon]

A few of the local "advisors" are telling dairy farmers not to overseed silage fields with chicory in the mix.
Most of these guys obviously haven't grown any themselves and gather most of their information from Google but has anyone had issues with overseeded chicory in their own silage causing problems?
I have never come across any issue myself, despite growing it here on an upland farm and having numerous customers growing herbal leys. I have heard all the "puncturing bale wrap" stories but surely this will not be possible in a multi cut dairy system with grass being mowed at th correct stage.
Any feedback much appreciated.

I found if cut leaves a hollow stem of chicory , it rains and the plants seem too rot as they fill with water, killed chicory twice not going to use it again unless it was grown as annual only.

 

[ploughman1963]

I’d agree, we have herbal leys with chicory in and cutting silage every 28-30 days poses no problems- but I have avoided including it in our herbal leys that are cut for hay.

 

[steveR]

I’d agree, we have herbal leys with chicory in and cutting silage every 28-30 days poses no problems- but I have avoided including it in our herbal leys that are cut for hay.

My most successful HL is cut once/annum and then grazed. I cut before it seeds obviously, and then chop bales and 8 layers of wrap. Rocket fuel with teh clover in it.

I use a Malone disc mower with topping skids on, to leave a long stubble and preserve the chicory crowns.

 

[ploughman1963]

My most successful HL is cut once/annum and then grazed. I cut before it seeds obviously, and then chop bales and 8 layers of wrap. Rocket fuel with teh clover in it.

I use a Malone disc mower with topping skids on, to leave a long stubble and preserve the chicory crowns.

Likewise, we always leave a 3”-4” stubble on the dairy farm silage fields as it encourages the clover as well and thou get a better silage analysis (less lingen and soil)

 

[ploughman1963]

Likewise, we always leave a 3”-4” stubble on the dairy farm silage fields as it encourages the clover as well and thou get a better silage analysis (less lingen and soil)

And saves my wagon knives

 

[Derrick Hughes]

ours gets cut 3 to 4 times a year, if someone is having problems its being left to long, it should be grazed no later that 4 weeks apart , the only exception is first grazing or cutting that is normally around 8 weeks giving the root time to develop
Also dont wilt more than 48 hours or leaf will start to shatter