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When to feed lucerne silage

Hesstondriver

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Huntingdon
i know the 'how soon can i feed grass silage' question has been done many times, but i cant find anything on lucerne silage. i cant imagine it is any different but thought id ask first ?
 

bovrill

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
East Essexshire
Once they get on to it they won't want to eat grass silage after , go mad for it , sorry that don't answer your question though
You'd be surprised. All my silage is lucerne, and the cows go wild for a bit of grass when it's offered! It's the novelty of something different.

Answering the original question, I'll feed mine from straight away if I need to, and never had any problems taking out the clamp at any time. It's chopped quite dry and stalky though, if that makes any difference.
 
If you have alternative supplements I would feed the lucerne silage when it is of maximum benefit. That is during the last trimester of pregnancy, irrespective of the species being fed. This is because it should, if well made, have very high protein % for when protein is most required.
Also, if you have plenty of bulk feed, eg. lower quality grass silage or hay or straw, some added lucerne to their diet will balance protein requirements over the 1st and 2nd trimesters.
 

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Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024 -26th Sept

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On Thursday 26th September, we’re holding a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. This was planned for end of May, but had to be delayed due to the general election. We apologise about that.

Farming and Countryside Programme Director, Janet Hughes will be joined by policy leads working on SFI, and colleagues from the Rural Payment Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

This webinar will be...
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