Grass silage is more than an insurance policy for low pasture growth; It is also a driver of animal performance and farm profitability. Harnessing its power is based on preserving the quality of the grass harvested.
The energy gap between poor and high-quality silage is significant, up to 2 MJ ME/kg DM. This extra energy translates to an increase in R1 beef calves, up to 70 g per day, or in the case of dairy cows, an increase in milk production of 0.03 kg MS/cow/day or an extra $0.27 cow/day. With more energy, protein, and digestable fibre in higher-quality silage, the improvements of higher milk production, improved growth rates, better body condition, and stronger performance is seen across all livestock classes.
The financial cost between making high-quality silage versus poor-quality is very little. The animal health rewards, however, are considerable. A drop in quality leads to aerobic bacteria taking hold of fermentation to produce mycotoxins that negatively affect animal health, production, and reproduction.
Though grass silage is harder to ensile than maize, due to lower sugar levels and higher moisture and protein content, proper management ensures fermentation is not slowed. This reduces the risk of nutrient losses and spoilage.
One of the most cost-effective ways to maximise the value of your home-grown feed is through quality storage management. You and your animals will not regret it.
TECH TIPS: IMPROVING GRASS SILAGE QUALITY
1. The right time - Fibre increases and digestibility declines as grass matures, so:
>>Harvest before seed heads emerge
>>Target a leafy crop at the three-leaf stage or to 2800 to 3000 kg DM/ha.
2. The right time- Aim for a Dry Matter (DM) of 30 to 40 percent. Nutrient losses increase the longer grass is exposed to air, so avoid over wilting by:
>>Baling or ensiling as quickly as possible after mowing
>> Speeding up wilting by using a conditioner mower and early tedding.
3. The right inoculant - Inoculants provide beneficial bacteria that drives faster fermentation, improves nutrient preservation, reduces DM loss, and minimises spoilage. Find the right inoculant by:
>> Choosing products backed by independent research
>> Ensuring application rates deliver at least 100,000 CFU/g of forage with even coverage.
4. The right storage -Air is the enemy of good silage. Properly store silage by:
>>Keeping the loader moving on the stack
>>Effectively compact and seal stacks, pits, or bales to minimise spoilage and preserve feed quality.
5. The right results -- Without a feed test, you are just guessing. Ensure quality by:
» Testing silage six weeks after ensiling/baling to measure energy, protein, fibre, and DM for more accurate feeding decisions.
