FEEDING
FOCUS March 2017 • Issue 21
Silage - the complete picture The latest round of silage analysis for the 2016 growing season has now been correlated. This new data provides us with a complete picture of how the quality of the 2016 season’s silages compares to that of 2015, as well as an insight into how silage quality will impact approaches to feeding this year. Grass silage Overall, dry matter content is slightly up on average compared to 2015, along with crude protein, but sugar and energy levels are down; the most significant differences being in the bottom 25% of producers, who in 2016 produced silage with a sugar value of 1.20% DM compared to 3.20% in 2015. Grass silage results: 2015
2016
Average
Bottom 25%
Top 25%
Average
Bottom 25%
Top 25%
Dry Matter (%)
32.2
25.7
37.5
32.3
25.9
37.6
Energy (MJ/KG DM)
11.2
10.7
11.8
10.7
10.1
11.4
Crude Protein (%DM)
13.4
11.1
15.4
13.6
11.5
15.2
Sugar (%DM)
7.1
3.2
10.4
5.8
1.2
9.1
NDF (%DM)
47.5
42.7
51.8
51.6
46.5
56.2
Feed2Milk Values MELK* (‘/kg DM)
988
944
1034
972
913
1030
TDP** (g/kg DM)
53
45
66
55
47
64
RFC*** (g/kg DM)
171
140
212
163
137
188
*MELK = More energy for the lactating cow (milk yield potential) **TDP = True digestible protein ***RFC = Rapid fermentable carbohydrate
Consequently, average MELK (Milk yield potential) values are also slightly depressed, dropping from 988/ kg DM in 2015 to 972/kg in 2016. However, it isn’t all bad news and the low levels of fermentable energy recorded in our results indicate silage will be rumen friendly and the strong average protein levels will help support milk quality. Impact on performance These results are unsurprising considering the challenges that many faced in the 2016 growing season and with low milk yield potential, careful supplementation will be required to get the best from cows. In systems that are heavily reliant on grass silage, supplementation of rations with other feed sources may be required to ensure good levels of milk production and to maintain long term cow health. Producers should target the use of feeds with a high MELK value that provide a source of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates (RFCs) - such as bread, biscuit meal and molasses. SilageManager Inconsistencies in forage analysis are a common source of frustration for dairy producers, with one sample sent to two different laboratories often providing conflicting results. But accurate forage analysis is essential to ensure cows are fed a balanced diet that complements supplies of forage and are provided with the right level of concentrate supplementation to achieve the most cost effective and productive results. Continued...
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Drawing on experience and technology used in The Netherlands, ForFarmers UK has developed its forage analysis techniques to provide consistent, accurate results, and new sets of measures to give producers a better insight into their forage’s potential. By drying and grinding samples before examining with Near Infared Spectroscopy (NIR), ForFarmers SilageManager analysis results are far more reliable compared to traditional methods.
As well as the standard parameters, SilageManager also provides data on milk yield potential, digestible protein and rumen health risk; all of which provide information which can be used to improve the accuracy of ration composition. This can result in more milk from the same level of feeding, without compromising cow health or performance.
Maize
Wholecrop
This seasons maize silage has been excellent with higher dry matters and starch producing an ideal complement to grass silage.
The 2016 seasons wholecrop cereal silage has been more variable. Lower milk yield potential and fermentable carbohydrates have made it challenging to feed with just grass silage.
This seasons starch has a greater milk yield potential than the previous year and is better than grass silage. As we progress through the season and the maize silage spends longer in the clamp it’s energy availability will increase, but there is also a greater rumen health risk as the starch becomes more degradable. Maize silage based diets will also benefit from additional sources of TDP to further drive milk production. Good value sources of TDP to consider are RapePlus, SoyaPlus and distillers products, which also offer higher MELK and lower RFC for maturing maize silage. Maize results: 2015 Average
2016
Bottom 25%
Top 25%
Average
Bottom 25%
Top 25%
Additional feeds with high MELK and RFC values should be considered to unlock its potential. Additional sources of TDP should also be considered. Wholecrop results: 2015
2016
Average
Bottom 25%
Top 25%
Average
Bottom 25%
Top 25%
Dry Matter (%)
39.3
32.0
44.0
40.5
32.2
46.7
Energy (MJ/KG DM)
9.8
9.5
10.1
9.6
9.2
10.0
Crude Protein (%DM)
11.5
9.8
12.9
12.1
10.1
14.0
Starch (%DM)
23.5
17.5
29.2
21.2
13.4
27.9
NDF (%DM)
40.5
37.7
43.7
46.6
39.8
47.7
Feed2Milk Values
Dry Matter (%)
30.7
27.2
33.9
34.5
31.3
37.9
830
760
889
812
727
892
Energy (MJ/KG DM)
MELK (‘/kg DM)
11.4
11.2
11.6
11.7
11.5
11.9
40
33
47
38
28
46
Crude Protein (%DM)
TDP (g/kg DM)
8.6
8.1
8.9
8.4
7.9
8.9
171
142
201
156
115
196
Starch (%DM)
RFC (g/kg DM)
30.3
25.6
35.6
31.9
27.3
38.1
NDF (%DM)
39.2
34.6
42.8
38.4
34.3
41.6
MELK (‘/kg DM)
1054
1031
1079
1072
1051
1094
TDP (g/kg DM)
43
41
46
44
41
47
RFC (g/kg DM)
149
139
161
135
122
147
Feed2Milk Values
For more information about getting the most from forage through SilageManager, please contact your ForFarmers Account Manager.