ForFarmers Feeding Focus: First Cut Silage - How does yours compare?

FEEDING FOCUS August 2016 • Issue 17

First Cut Silage - How does yours compare?

The initial analysis of this seasons first cut grass silage is now complete and reflects the effects of a wet, mild winter and challenging spring.

The results show average Dry Matter (DM) values are higher than 2015, whilst energy (ME) values are slightly lower.

Protein levels have improved, rising from 12.7 to 13.6 while fibre levels (NDF) have also increased.

In summary, first cut silage may not have the milk yield potential of last year but is more rumen friendly. Grass silage may need a fermentable energy boost to maximise milk from forage especially with later second cut silages.

The table below shows the national averages for this year’s first cut silage versus 2015. It also shows the top and bottom 25% of results and can help identify problem areas and pinpoint where improvements to the quality of silage could be made in the future.

2015 National Average

2016 National Average

Top 25% (2016)

Bottom 25% (2016)

DM (%)

32.0

33.0

38.1

26.6

ME (MJ/KG DM)

11.0

10.9

11.4

10.5

NDF (% DM)

47.2

48.1

52.9

42.8

Crude Protein (% DM)

12.5

13.6

15.2

11.6

Sugar (% DM)

6.4

5.7

8.7

0.8

Lactic Acid (% DM)

9.0

8.1

10.1

6.1

Silage supplementation Improved protein levels in this year’s first cut silages will give many farms the opportunity for cost savings by feeding a lower crude protein blend. However, due to the higher level of rumen fermentable protein in grass silage it is important to ensure it is balanced with a source of rumen by-pass protein.

Rumen protected protein, in the form of RapePlus, provides a highly cost effective method of making up any shortfall in microbial protein, by supplying high levels of by-pass protein. This product will also reduce the exposure to the resurgent Hipro Soya market.

The higher levels of fibre, coupled with higher dry matter, make the 2016 first cut a more ‘rumen friendly’ crop than last year. Early indications are that second cut could be similar. There is an opportunity to feed a blend with higher starch and sugar levels with a lower risk of acidosis. As with other years a balance

Shortfall in forage This year’s unpredictable weather has left some producers with a shortage of grass and lower quantities of first cut silage than planned. Brewer’s grains offer a cost effective option for producers looking to plug the gap this shortfall creates.

At around £124/t utilised DM, grass silage has long been one of the lowest cost feeds available, but current prices for larger deliveries of brewer’s grains make them a cost effective alternative.

The relative cost of brewer’s grains compared to forage sources is even more promising when DM losses during grazing and silage harvesting, transportation, storage and feed out, are all taken into consideration.

Grazed grass has the highest level of loss at 25% utilised DM compared to 10% for zero-grazing and 17% for conventional silage. These hidden costs, even to grazed grass, are ones that farmers aren’t always aware of and don’t always consider when looking at relative feed costs.

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between rapidly fermentable and slowly fermentable energy sources should be sought.

Barley, wheat and biscuit meal are currently good value as a source of fermentable energy, while the higher cost of maize this season could be offset by feeding WheatPlus, a rumen protected rolled wheat product which acts as a slower fermentable energy source.

The nutritional value of moist grains also compare favourably to grass and provides a consistent feed, taking out much of the variability of grazed grass and silage.

Grazed leafy ryegrass*

Moist Grains

80% Moist grains + 20% SBP

DM (%)

15-20

20-24

34-37

Crude Protein (% DM)

16-25

24

17.5

MER (MJ/Kg DM)

11.5

11-11.7

11.7-12.1

NDF (% DM)

42.9

59

46.2

*AHDB Dairy

The digestible fibre content of alternatives forage sources is very important. Whilst the digestible fibre content of brewer’s grains is lower than grass, many farmers combine it with dried sugar beet pulp (SBP) and soya hulls, which is a good source of digestible fibre to ensile with the grains.

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